Discover How New Yorkers Are Claiming $6.5 Billion in SNAP Benefits – Find Out If You Qualify

Governor Kathy Hochul revealed that New York’s Supplemental Nutrition Aid Program (SNAP) will provide approximately $6.5 billion in food aid in 2024. SNAP, a federally sponsored program, assists families with children, older people, and those with disabilities across the state in affording healthful food. “No New Yorker should ever go hungry, and no parent or caregiver should have to choose between buying groceries or keeping the lights on,” Hochul told the crowd.

As per a state press release, around 18% of New York’s population received SNAP benefits in 2024, roughly 3 million people. More than half of the receiving homes were families with children, and around 47% contained an adult over the age of 55 or a person with a handicap. SNAP payments can buy specific goods from authorized retail food outlets. The average participating household receives around $376 in SNAP benefits each month.

“Children who live in households that are food insecure are more likely than their peers to have health problems and difficulty in school,” stated Barbara C. Guinn, commissioner of the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (ODTA). “SNAP is New York State’s primary tool to help us fight hunger and food insecurity and helps millions of New Yorkers — notably working families, families with children, and seniors — get their hands on healthy food.” 

In recent years, New York has tried to increase SNAP participation by reducing extraneous criteria, streamlining the application process, and expanding community engagement. Officials emphasize their commitment to helping low-income families and households as the new year begins. “As we approach the new year, I am dedicated to fighting for funding for food assistance programs to make sure that all New Yorkers have the finances they need to put food on the table,” she added.