The Food Stamp program was initially created during the tail end of the Great Depression. The program received its name because early recipients of the benefits of Food Stamps received actual stamps of different colors to denominate different dollar amounts which could then be used at local grocery stores to purchase food. The program was initially administered on a national level by the United States Department of Agriculture, but this structure is since been changed so that the Department of Agriculture oversees the program but it is administered on a local level by each individual state through its own department of welfare or department of social services. Although the “Food Stamp” name is very popular today, the actual name was changed in October of 2008 and is now formally known as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (“SNAP”).
For individuals living in the state of New York who want to file for NYS food stamps you’ll need to demonstrate that your household income is below a certain level before any benefits will be issued to you. It is also important that you understand what can and cannot be purchased once you begin receiving New York State Food Stamps.
Food Stamps are provided to New York residents who have a low income and have a need for assistance in putting food on the table each week. What is considered “low income” depends upon how many individuals live in your household, whether any household member is elderly or disabled, and whether anyone in the household requires specialized care that is given by another household member. NY Food Stamps are administered by the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (“OTDA”).
Food Stamp Income Requirements
Here is a breakdown of how much money you can earn and still qualify for Food Stamps through the OTDA:
| Size of Family | Monthly Gross Income: No Elderly, Disabled or Dependent Member | Monthly Gross Income: Elderly, Disabled or Dependent Member |
| 1 | $1174 | $1805 |
| 2 | $1579 | $2428 |
| 3 | $1984 | $3052 |
| 4 | $2389 | $3675 |
| 5+ | + $406 | + $623 |
How Much Will My Food Stamp Card Be For?
If you are approved for NYS Food Stamps, you will be eligible for a predetermined amount of money each month that can be spent on eligible food items at your local grocery store. The maximum amount of money an individual receive if they’re the only ones in their household is $200. For other household sizes, here is an idea of how much money you would receive under the NYC Food Stamp program:
| Number of Household Members | Maximum Payment Amount Per Month |
| 1 | $200 |
| 2 | $367 |
| 3 | $526 |
| 4 | $668 |
| 5 | $793 |
| 6 | $952 |
| 7 | $1052 |
| 8 | $1202 |
| Each Additional Household Member | + $150 |
After you been approved for Food Stamps, you will be issued a Food Stamp card that has the looks and functions of an everyday debit card. This card is known as an Electronic Benefit Transfer card (“EBT NY”). The EBT NY card is titled electronic account managed by the OTDA where funds are added to each month and the money is spent by you through traditional credit and debit card terminals by the use of a Personal Identification Number that you generate at the time you apply for NYS Food Stamps. The electronic account tied to your EBT card also functions like a bank account in some ways, including giving you the ability to check food stamp balance amounts at any time during the month.
Eligible Items To Purchase
Just about any traditional grocery items available to purchase through the NYS Food Stamps program. However, there are some notable (and common sense) exceptions to what you can buy. These prohibitions include tobacco products, alcohol, cleaning and other related household items, and prescription drugs.
Source: otda.ny.gov/programs/food-stamps/#eligibility
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