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Get back to this page: https://access.nyc.gov/programs/supplemental-nutrition-assistance-program-snap/
Food
Money to buy food
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) | NYC Human Resources Administration (HRA)
1. How it Works
Get help paying for groceries with SNAP. SNAP benefits are sometimes called food stamps. They come on a debit card that you can use at many grocery stores and farmers markets.
- You can apply for Cash Assistance, SNAP, and Medicaid Renewal all at the same time through the Cash Assistance application on ACCESS HRA.
- If you are eligible, you will receive your benefits within 30 days.
- You must be a US citizen or have satisfactory immigration status to receive SNAP.
- You can allow someone who knows your household situation to apply for you.
- You may have to complete an interview after you submit your application. An HRA worker will call you if they need more information.
- All NYCHA residents and SNAP recipients who are 16 years and older are eligible for a discounted Citi Bike membership. For $5 per month, you’ll get unlimited 45-minute rides and access to thousands of bikes across Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, and Jersey City.
Next section:
More ways to get help with this program
Visit the website
Visit the SNAP website to learn more about this program.
Immigrants can make an appointment with ActionNYC to receive assistance.
Call 311
Ask for SNAP.
Call the SNAP Infoline
Call the SNAP Infoline at 718-557-1399 for more information.
Visit a SNAP Center or Community Organization
Visit a SNAP center or your local Community-Based Organization (CBO) to get help in person.
2. Determine your eligibility
This program looks at several things to decide if you are eligible. They include:
- how much money you earn
- how much money you receive from benefits
- how many people are in your house
- your citizenship or immigration status
Students in college who are at least half time and meet criteria may be eligible. Learn more about eligibility for college students from NY State.
Take a short survey to see if you might be eligible for this or 30 other programs.
Am I Eligible?Next section:
3. What you need to include
It’s important to include the right documents when you apply. Your documents show whether the program is right for you.
This page can help you choose the right documents for your application.
Proof of who you are
For each person applying, any one document:
- Driver license or official photo ID
- U.S. Passport
- Birth certificate
- Baptismal certificate or another religious certificate
- Social Security Card for dependents
- Social security Card or ITIN
- Marriage records
- Medicaid card
- Naturalization certificate
- Official birth records
- Official school records
- Adoption records
- Voter Registration Card
- Other official record showing birth date
Proof of where you live
For the household, any one document:
- Utility bill (gas, electric, or water)
- Copy of most recent deed
- Correspondence from a government agency with your name and your street address (not a P.O. Box)
- Current letter, lease, or rent receipt from your landlord with your home address. If a proprietary lease is unavailable, you must submit a copy of your stock certificate, (front and back), showing the names of all owners.
- If co-op owner, copy of the page(s) of your proprietary lease, which shows the names of the grantor and grantee and the number of shares in your unit.
- Lease signed by both landlord and tenant
- Postmarked envelope, postcard, or magazine label with name and date (cannot use if sent to a P.O. Box)
- Property tax records or mortgage statements
- Rent increase documents (if you live in a rent controlled apartment)
- Rent orders from DHCR (major capital improvement, rent reduction order, or hardship)
- Statement from non-relative landlord
- Written demand for rent increase from landlord
Proof of your income
For each income source of each income earner, any one document:
Wages & Salary
- W2
- Letter from employer on company letterhead, signed and dated
- Paycheck stubs (If you are paid the same amount each week, bring your last 4 paystubs. If you are paid a different amount of money each week, bring the last 12 weeks worth of paycheck stubs.)
Self-employment
- Records of earnings and expenses
- Signed and dated income tax return and all schedules
Income from Rent or Room and Board
- Canceled check
- Ledger or rent receipt book
- Letter from roomer, boarder, or tenant
Military Pay
- Current award letter
- Current check stub
Child Support or Alimony
- Alimony check stub
- Child support check stub
- Letter from court
- Letter from person providing support
Unemployment Income
- 1099-G
- Award letter or certificate
- Correspondence from NYS Department of Labor
Social Security Benefits (SSI, Dependent, Disability, Survivor’s, or Retirement)
- Correspondence from Social Security Administration
- Current award letter or certificate
- Current benefit check
Worker’s Compensation
- Current award letter
- Current check stub
Veteran’s Benefits
- Correspondence from Veterans Administration
- Current award letter
- Current benefit check stub
Pensions, Annuities, or IRA
- Statement from pension or annuity
Interest, Dividends, or Royalties
- 1099-DIV
- 1099-INT
- Letter from agent
- Statement from bank, credit union, or financial institution
Support from Family Members
- Copies of canceled checks from family member
- Signed statement or letter from family member
Proof of your expenses
For each expense, any one document:
Dependent Care Costs
- Canceled checks or receipts
- Court order
- Statement from aide or attendant
- Written statement from day care center or other child or adult care provider
Housing Expenses
- Current rent receipt
- Current lease
- Mortgage records
- Verification of rent amount
- Property tax records
- Sewer and water bills
- Fuel bills
- School tax records
- Utility bills (gas, electric, or water)
- Sewer and water bills
- Telephone bills
Proof of citizenship/immigration status
For each person applying, any one document:
- Birth certificate showing U.S. citizenship
- Employment Authorization Card (I-688B or I-766)
- INS I-210 letter
- INS form I-181
- INS form I-220B
- INS form I-551: Green card (copies of both sides of the card.)
- INS form I-94
- Letter from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration (CIS) (formerly INS) showing status and, if necessary, your date of entry into the U.S.
- Naturalization certificate
- Official U.S. medical records
- Other INS documentation, or correspondence to or from the INS, that shows that the alien is PRUCOL, that is, the alien is living in the U.S. with the knowledge and permission or acquiescence of the INS, and the INS does not contemplate enforcing the alien’s departure from the U.S.
- U.S. baptismal certificate
- U.S. passport
Proof of your resources
For each resource of each resource holder, any one document:
- Bank books
- Bank statement
- Copies of stocks, bonds, or securities
- Credit union records
- Deed or appraisal for real estate
- Motor vehicle estimate from the dealer and its “blue book” value
- Trust fund
Proof of your disability status
For each disabled/incapacitated person, any one document:
- Proof of Social Security Disability or Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
- Statement of medical professional
Proof of school attendance
For each student, any one document:
- School records
- Statement from school
Proof of having health insurance
For each type of insurance of each person with health insurance, any one document:
- Insurance card
Proof of paid or unpaid medical bills
For each bill, any one document:
- Copy of each bill, and proof of payment if a paid bill
- Provider statement of health Insurance Premiums
- Medicare Prescription Drug Card
Proof of your non-custodial parent information
For each dependent, any one document:
- Survivor’s benefits
- Veteran’s Assistance or military records
Next section:
4. How to apply
Here are your options.
Apply online
- Apply online using ACCESS HRA. You can apply for Cash Assistance, SNAP, and Medicaid Renewal all at the same time.
- Scan your documents using the NYC HRA Document Upload app available for free on the iTunes Store (for iPhones) or the Google Play Store (for Android phones).
- After you submit your application, you will be contacted to do an eligibility interview. You can do your interview over the telephone without having to come into a SNAP center.
- You can check the status of your application by going to ACCESS HRA.
- You will need to recertify for SNAP once every year. The SNAP office will mail you a recertification packet for you to complete and mail back to HRA or recertify online on ACCESS HRA. Once you submit your recertification, you will be able to set up your preferred interview date and time by calling the On Demand interview phone line at 718-SNAP-Now (718-762-7669).
Apply by mail
- Print a paper application, pick one up from a SNAP Center, or call the HRA Infoline at 718-557-1399 to have a paper application mailed to you.
- Mail the application and copies of your documents to:
Division of SNAP Services, Mail Application & Referral Unit (MARU)
P.O. Box 24510
Brooklyn, NY, 11201
Apply by phone
Print a paper application, complete it, and fax it to 917-639-1111.
Apply in person
- Print a paper application, pick one up from a SNAP Center, or call the HRA Infoline at 718-557-1399 to have a paper application mailed to you.
- Gather the documents you’ll need to include with your application.
- Drop off your completed application at a SNAP Center near you. You can make copies of your documents at the center.
- You can also apply for SNAP at a community-based organization (CBO) in your neighborhood. Experts can help you submit your application and the necessary documents.
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More ways to get help with this program
Visit the website
Visit the SNAP website to learn more about this program.
Immigrants can make an appointment with ActionNYC to receive assistance.
Call 311
Ask for SNAP.
Call the SNAP Infoline
Call the SNAP Infoline at 718-557-1399 for more information.
Visit a SNAP Center or Community Organization
Visit a SNAP center or your local Community-Based Organization (CBO) to get help in person.
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