Do you qualify for SNAP Food Stamps?

In order to receive SNAP Food Stamps you need to apply, you can get started with how to apply on this website. You can also go to your local SNAP office to receive assistance with your application.

Determining your eligibility for this program will depend on many factors. These include your gross income, your resources and it will depend on the number of people in your household. Your residency and citizenship status will also determine qualification.

U.S. citizens are eligible, but many legal aliens qualify for SNAP Food Stamps too. Those members of a household that are eligible to receive benefits will not be affected by any members of your household that cannot receive benefits. If you would like additional information about immigrant SNAP eligibility please see this website.

Screening for SNAP Food Stamps

Some people would like to prescreen their eligibility prior to apply for SNAP benefits. There are a few ways to do this. Please note, pre-screening is NOT an application, you must separately apply to receive benefits. The USDA provides an online pre-screening tool to help determine if you are eligible for benefits. This tool will also give an estimate of the amount of benefit you may receive. You can access the USDA pre-screening tool here.

If you need assistance in using the USDA's pre-screening tool, a tutorial is available here.

Many states vary on food stamp eligibility criteria, and the only way to determine if you qualify is to find out your state's specific eligibility criteria. Please view the following 'Just the Facts' video about qualifying for SNAP Food Stamps.

New York Eligibility Requirements

In order to qualify for The New York Food Stamp program, you need to meet a specific set of eligibility requirements which are mainly based on income and residence. For you to qualify for the program you need to:

• Be a resident of New York
• Be a citizen of US or a legal alien
• You need to meet the income eligibility requirements available on this link:
  www.otda.ny.gov/programs/snap/#eligibility

You should however note that in the context of applying for SNAP income means the household's total gross monthly income before taxes and other deductions are made.

You can assess your eligibility status for the New York Food Stamp program which contains an online screening tool:
https://mybenefits.ny.gov/web/otda/prescreening.

Once you meet all these eligibility requirements you qualify for the New York Food Stamp program, and you can start enjoying the benefits of the program as soon as your application is processed.