On Monday, thousands of New Yorkers received notices that their monthly food benefits might end due to new work requirements that kicked in this March. It’s the latest in a series of changes limiting eligibility and access to the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program, which nearly three million residents rely on to feed their families.
Below, we’ve compiled information for SNAP recipients in New York seeking clarity on the change and how it will affect their benefits. If you have specific questions about your benefits case, contact your local social services department.
What are the new work rules for SNAP?
You may have heard about new work rules for SNAP recipients, called the “Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents” work requirements, or “ABAWD” work rules.
You might be impacted by the new requirements if ALL of the following apply to you:
- you are an adult aged 18 to 64, AND
- you DO NOT live with a child under 14 years old, AND
- you DO NOT care for a person who cannot care for themselves, AND
- you DO NOT have any mental or physical conditions that prevent you from working
These new rules will also apply to you even if you are unhoused, are a veteran, or are a youth aging out of foster care and check all of the above boxes.
What do I have to do for the new work rule?
If the new rules apply to you, you have to document every month that you’ve done ONE of the following:
- performed paid OR unpaid work for 20 hours a week (for a total of 80 hours per month) OR earned at least $217.50 a week, OR
- participated in an approved work training program for 20 hours a week (for a total of 80 hours per month), OR
- volunteered for an eligible program OR participated in an approved work experience program for a specific number of hours per month
Note: In this case, your monthly hour requirement depends on where you live. To calculate it, divide the amount of your monthly SNAP benefit by the minimum wage in your area.
- For example: If you receive $300 each month in SNAP benefits and the local minimum wage is $16.00 per hour, then you have to complete 18 hours of volunteer work each month or spend 18 hours in an approved work experience program each month. ($300 ÷ $16.00 = 18 hours).
- If you live in NYC, Long Island, or Westchester, where the minimum wage is $17.00 per hour, and receive $300 a month in SNAP benefits, then you have to complete 17.6 hours of volunteer work or in a work experience program each month. ($300 ÷ $17.00 = ~17.6 hours).
Why have I received notices saying that my SNAP benefits are ending?
Your household may have received a notice in the mail mentioning something called the “Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents” work requirements or “ABAWD” work rules. This means you may have to meet the requirements outlined in the previous section, titled “What do I have to do for the new work rules?”…