More Emergency Food Stamp Benefits Are Coming

Since the COVID-19 crisis began in late March, more and more New Yorkers have been finding themselves struggling financially.

Just a few weeks ago, the New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA) announced that more than $100 Million in additional Pandemic Electronic Benefits Transfer (P-EBT) Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits were made available in September.

This additional allotment brings the total amount of additional assistance distributed to New Yorkers to more than $600 Million.

Approximately 700,000 families and individuals who receive SNAP got an additional allotment of SNAP in September. It is highly likely these additional benefits will likely continue until the pandemic crisis is resolved.

As the unprecedented global pandemic continues to strain households throughout the state, we must make every effort possible to prevent families from falling into food insecurity… These additional food benefits are helping low-income New Yorkers to put food on the table at a time when so many are dealing with lost income.
- OTDA Commissioner Mike Hein

If you qualify for SNAP, then there isn’t anything extra you need to do. According to the OTDA website, they have already identified who is eligible for the additional benefits and those payments are dispersed over the span of a few weeks during the month.

More: Additional SNAP Benefits Are Coming for Families

These additional SNAP Benefits have been available to residents of New York for the last seven months. It is highly likely these additional benefits will likely continue until the pandemic crisis is resolved.

If you have any questions or are in need of more information, please reach out to the New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA) at 1-833-452-0096 or your local County Department of Social Services.