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, previously known as food stamps. You’ll get money on a debit card that can be used at many grocery stores and farmers markets.
You can apply for Cash Assistance, SNAP, and Medicaid 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.
Depending on your situation, you may be eligible for SNAP even if you’re not a U.S. citizen.
You can allow someone who knows your household situation to apply for you.
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 household
3. What you need to include
See the SNAP document guide to see the documents you’ll need.
4. How to apply
Here are your options.
Apply online
Apply online using ACCESS HRA. You can apply for Cash Assistance, SNAP, and Medicaid 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 need to do an eligibility interview. You can do your interview over the telephone without having to come into a SNAP center.
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. You can also recertify online on ACCESS HRA. Once you submit your recertification, call 718-SNAP-Now (718-762-7669) for an interview.
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 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.