Here’s how to claim SNAP benefits in 2024 after changes in eligibility (2024)

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Millions of U.S. households rely on benefits from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to help feed their families each month.

Income eligibility requirements and maximum monthly benefits are adjusted each year to account for inflation, with the annual adjustments implemented at the beginning of October and remaining in place until the following September.

Here’s everything you need to know about SNAP benefits in 2024.

INCOME ELIGIBILITY

To qualify for SNAP benefits, residents must earn below certain income thresholds, which vary based on the number of family members in the household.

Here’s a look at the income eligibility thresholds for SNAP through September 2024.

Income Guidelines for Households without Earned Income (no elderly or disabled member)

1-person household

• Monthly Gross Income: $1,580
• Annual Gross Income: $18,960

2-person household

• Monthly Gross Income: $2,137
• Annual Gross Income: $25,644

3-person household

• Monthly Gross Income: $2,694
• Annual Gross Income: $32,328

4-person household

• Monthly Gross Income: $3,250
• Annual Gross Income: $39,000

5-person household

• Monthly Gross Income: $3,807
• Annual Gross Income: $45,684

6-person household

• Monthly Gross Income: $4,364
• Annual Gross Income: $52,368

7-person household

• Monthly Gross Income: $4,921
• Annual Gross Income: $59,052

8-person household

• Monthly Gross Income: $5,478
• Annual Gross Income: $65,736

Each additional person

• Monthly Gross Income: $557 +
• Annual Gross Income: $6,684 +

Income Guidelines for Households with Earned Income (no elderly or disabled member)

1-person household

• Monthly Gross Income: $1,823
• Annual Gross Income: $21,876

2-person household

• Monthly Gross Income: $2,465
• Annual Gross Income: $29,580

3-person household

• Monthly Gross Income: $3,108
• Annual Gross Income: $37,296

4-person household

• Monthly Gross Income: $3,750
• Annual Gross Income: $45,000

5-person household

• Monthly Gross Income: $4,393
• Annual Gross Income: $52,716

6-person household

• Monthly Gross Income: $5,035
• Annual Gross Income: $60,420

7-person household

• Monthly Gross Income: $5,678
• Annual Gross Income: $68,136

8-person household

• Monthly Gross Income: $6,320
• Annual Gross Income: $75,840

Each additional person

• Monthly Gross Income: $643 +
• Annual Gross Income: $7,716 +

Income Guidelines for Households with an older or disabled member and households with dependent care expenses

1-person household

• Monthly Gross Income: $2,430
• Annual Gross Income: $29,160

2-person household

• Monthly Gross Income: $3,287
• Annual Gross Income: $39,444

3-person household

• Monthly Gross Income: $4,143
• Annual Gross Income: $49,716

4-person household

• Monthly Gross Income: $5,000
• Annual Gross Income: $60,000

5-person household

• Monthly Gross Income: $5,857
• Annual Gross Income: $70,284

6-person household

• Monthly Gross Income: $6,713
• Annual Gross Income: $80,556

7-person household

• Monthly Gross Income: $7,570
• Annual Gross Income: $90,840

8-person household

• Monthly Gross Income: $8,427
• Annual Gross Income: $101,124

Each additional person

• Monthly Gross Income: $857 +
• Annual Gross Income: $10,284 +

MAXIMUM MONTHLY BENEFITS

The maximum amount of monthly SNAP benefits varies based on the number of people living within the household.

Here’s a look at how much New Yorkers can receive.

1-person household

• $291

2-person household

• $535

3-person household

• $766

4-person household

• $973

5-person household

• $1,155

6-person household

• $1,386

7-person household

• $1,532

8-person household

• $1,751

Each additional person

• $219 +

ELIGIBLE USES

New Yorkers can only use SNAP benefits to purchase certain items.

Here’s a look at what SNAP benefits can and cannot be used for.

Eligible items

• breads and cereals
• fruits and vegetables
• meats, fish and poultry
• dairy products

Ineligible items

• beer, wine, liquor, cigarettes or tobacco
• any nonfood items, such as: pet food soap, paper products household supplies vitamins and medicine
• food that will be eaten in the store
• hot foods

HOW TO APPLY

New Yorkers can apply for SNAP benefits online by following these simple steps.

• Gather all necessary documents (Recent pay stubs, list of household resources, current rent/mortgage statement, current property tax bill, current homeowner’s insurance bill, Social Security card)
• Log on or register to create an account at myBenefits.ny.gov
• Answer a series of questions about your household
• Submit your application

WORK REQUIREMENTS

The Advance/SILive.com previously reported that there were new rules for SNAP, which require able-bodied 50-year-olds to work if they want to maintain their benefits, with the age threshold set to increase again in the near future.

However, New York SNAP beneficiaries have until Feb. 29, 2024, before the new rules take effect in the state.

The new requirement, which took effect in other parts of the country on Sept. 1, requires able-bodied adults without dependents between ages 18 and 50 to prove they were employed or in a job training program for at least 80 hours per month to qualify for the benefits

Previously, the age threshold only extended to 49 years old.

The age requirement expanded again to 52 years old on Oct. 1, and will move to 54 years old starting Oct. 1, 2024.

Residents are exempt from the able-bodied adults without dependents work requirements if they are:

• Unable to work due to a physical or mental limitation
• Pregnant
• Have someone under 18 in your SNAP household
• Excused from the SNAP general work requirements
• A veteran
• Experiencing homelessness
• Age 24 or younger and in foster care on your 18th birthday

RECOVERING STOLEN BENEFITS

In 2022, Congress passed a law requiring states to develop systems to replace residents’ Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits that have been stolen through electronic means, such as card skimming, cloning, third party misrepresentation or phishing.

“Protecting the integrity of our nutrition assistance programs is a top priority for FNS [USDA Food and Nutrition Service],” Stacy Dean, USDA deputy under secretary for Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services, said at the time. “SNAP fraud is a despicable crime that takes advantage of families with low income. We are collaborating closely with state agencies to ensure that participants facing these hardships receive the support they need.”

The replacement process varies by state and residents can visit the USDA website to learn more about how to apply for replacement benefits where they live.

New York’s benefit recovery system, which was approved by the federal government in April, was implemented in August, meaning Empire State residents can now apply for reimbursem*nt of electronically stolen benefits.

In order to apply for reimbursem*nt of stolen benefits, recipients must first report their Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) cards as stolen by calling 1-888-328-6399, visiting ConnectEBT or through the ConnectEBT mobile app.

No replacement benefits will be issued until the compromised EBT card is reported as stolen.

Replacement SNAP benefits will only be issued if the date of theft is on or after Oct. 1, 2022.

Benefits eligible for replacement include:

• regular, ongoing SNAP benefits
• restored, replacement or retroactive issuances
• Disaster SNAP (D-SNAP) benefits
• Supplemental Emergency Allotments (EA)

Pandemic EBT (P-EBT) food benefits are not considered SNAP benefits, and therefore, are not eligible to be replaced.

SNAP benefits can only be replaced up to two times per federal fiscal year, which spans from Oct. 1 to Sept. 30, and replacement benefits are limited to the lesser of the amount stolen or two times the SNAP benefits received in the last full month before benefits were stolen.

The process for submitting a claim varies slightly based on whether the resident received their benefits in New York City or another part of the state.

Regardless of whether the claim will be submitted in New York City or another county, the first step is to gather all necessary information, including your Client Identification Number (CIN), case number, current mailing address and detailed information about each fraudulent transaction.

Residents can review their EBT transaction history for fraudulent charges by visiting ConnectEBT, using the ConnectEBT mobile app or calling 1-888-328-6399.

In New York City, residents must submit their claims to the city’s Department of Social Services’ Human Resources Administration.

City residents are strongly encouraged to submit their claims online for the quickest, most convenient experience.

However, claim forms can also be printed and dropped off in person at any Benefits Access Center or SNAP Center, or mailed to the following address: Department of Social Services, P.O. Box 02-9121, Brooklyn GPO, NY 11202.

New Yorkers who receive their benefits in any county outside of New York City must submit their claims to their local department of social services either in-person, via mail, or through the NYDocSubmit mobile app, if it’s available in their county.

Residents must submit a claim within 30 days of discovering that their benefits were stolen.