New York State has announced it plans to distribute "Emergency Allotment" SNAP benefit to certain SNAP households during the month of April.
Emergency Allotments for SNAP recipients were authorized by Congress under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act of 2020. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) has approved NYS’s plan to distribute these one-time SNAP benefits.
Important details about SNAP benefits
- Only households that receive less than the maximum SNAP benefit for their household size in March or April (or both months) are eligible for the one-time emergency allotment SNAP benefit. It is estimated that about half of all households receive less than the maximum benefit and therefore are eligible for the emergency allotment.
- The emergency allotment will be automatically added to the SNAP EBT card of each eligible SNAP household and can be used just like regular SNAP benefits.
- Families and individuals who get SNAP and who are eligible to receive the emergency allotment do not need to do anything. SNAP recipients do not need to apply for these benefits, and are being asked not to call their local SNAP office to inquire about the benefit.
- The one-time allotment does not need to be spent immediately. Unused SNAP benefits, including the allotment, remain available on the EBT card for up to one year from the date they appear on the card.
For more information including a FAQ for SNAP recipients, dates for benefit distribution, and more details about the issuing of this emergency allotment SNAP benefit to eligible households in NYC and upstate, click here.
How Apicha CHC can help you
At Apicha CHC, we have SNAP enrollment specialists who can assist you with applying for SNAP benefits, managing your budget, nutrition tips, and more. You can schedule an appointment below. If you'd like more information about COVID-19 and Apicha CHC's changes in services, click here.
