Governor Hochul Announces $232 Million in Additional Food Assistance for April

All SNAP Households to Receive the Maximum Level of Food Benefits This Month

More than $696 Million in Supplemental Benefits Distributed Since January

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that all New Yorkers enrolled in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program will receive the maximum allowable level of food benefits for April. All households participating in SNAP — including those already at the maximum level of benefits — will receive a supplemental allotment this month, which will result in New York State's economy receiving roughly $232 million in federal funding.

"The heart-wrenching prospect of food insecurity is one that no New Yorker should ever have to face," Governor Hochul said. "By providing the maximum level of food benefits to those in need, we can help struggling households make ends meet and keep food on the table as we continue our economic recovery from the COVID-19 crisis."

SNAP households in all counties outside of New York City should see these extra benefits post by Friday, April 22. Those SNAP households in the five-county New York City region should see their benefits post by Friday, April 29.

The emergency assistance supplement is provided to all households, including those that ordinarily receive the maximum allowable benefit per month on SNAP—a federally funded program overseen by the state Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance. Those households already near or at the maximum benefit level—$835 for a household of four—will receive a supplemental payment of at least $95.

OTDA began issuing the emergency supplemental benefits in April 2020 to those SNAP households receiving less than the maximum monthly benefit amount. When New York State's emergency declaration expired in June 2021, the agency successfully worked with the federal government to secure the maximum allotment for all SNAP households until the expiration of the federal declaration, which is now expected to be extended into June.

SNAP benefits also play an important role in New York's economic recovery, injecting more than $696 million into the state's economy so far this year. Every federal dollar invested by SNAP generates up to $1.54 in economic activity, according to a federal study quantifying the impact of SNAP on the U.S. economy.

Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance Commissioner Daniel W. Tietz said, "These supplemental benefits have played a tremendous role in helping New Yorkers avoid the food insecurity exacerbated by the global pandemic. In addition to assisting households in need, this funding is providing a welcome boost for local retailers and giving strength to our state's economy as a whole."

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said, "No New Yorker should ever have to worry about where their next meal is coming from. That is why I fought for a historic increase to SNAP during the pandemic through the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021, and again in the American Rescue Plan. We doubled down to deliver this additional boost in federal funding to help struggling families keep food on the table. SNAP is a lifeline for so many New Yorkers and I will always fight deliver the federal resources needed to ensure no New Yorker goes hungry or gets left behind."

Senator Kirsten Gillibrand said, "As rising food prices put a strain on New Yorkers' budgets, this extra SNAP funding will provide a lifeline to millions of individuals and families statewide. I applaud Governor Hochul for making this critical assistance available to those in need and look forward to continuing to work together to eradicate hunger."

Representative Adriano Espaillat said, "During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, unemployment reached a record 14% as Americans faced massive layouts, furloughs, and workplace closures. Food insecurity was at a tipping point when the outbreak began and SNAP benefits were critical to helping families stay afloat during these challenges. This latest announcement of additional supplemental assistance to boost SNAP, reaffirms our commitment and efforts to helping families get their lives back on track as New York continues to recover."

Representative Sean Patrick Maloney said, "Programs like SNAP are a lifeline for millions of New York families, helping put food on the table for those in need. I fought to ensure funding for SNAP was included in COVID relief legislation so no family has to worry about where their next meal is coming from. I applaud Governor Hochul for continuing to distribute the maximum benefit of this essential program so New Yorkers have the support they need to feed their families."

As with the prior months, the payments will be delivered directly to recipients' existing Electronic Benefit Transfer accounts and can be accessed with their existing EBT cards. Like regular SNAP benefits, the supplemental benefits can be used to purchase food at authorized retail food stores. Any unused SNAP benefits will automatically carry over to the following month.

New Yorkers continue to rely heavily on SNAP, with more than 1.6 million households throughout the state enrolled in the program in February. More than 2.8 million New Yorkers received benefits in February, the most since June 2021.

Find more information on the emergency supplemental SNAP benefits, including answers to frequently asked questions, here. New Yorkers can check their eligibility for SNAP and apply online by visiting mybenefits.ny.gov.