The Human Resources Administration (HRA) is trying to eliminate, whenever possible, the need for clients to come in person to HRA offices.
You can apply or recertify for SNAP benefits, submit requests and manage your case using the ACCESS HRA website or the ACCESS HRA Mobile App from anywhere and at any time. You can also submit documents using the Document Upload feature on the ACCESS HRA Mobile App.
You can also fax your application or recertification form and supporting documents to:
- (917) 639-1111 - New application
- (917) 639-2535 - Recertification
Expanded SNAP Eligibility for College Students
During the COVID-19 emergency, there are new rules for the SNAP program which will allow more college students to get benefits.
- If you are a student eligible to participate in a state or federal work-study program, you may now also be eligible for SNAP, even if you aren’t currently employed in work-study.
- If your “expected family contribution” (EFC*) is $0, and you meet other SNAP eligibility requirements, you are eligible for SNAP.
- *Your EFC is found in your Student Aid Report and it is calculated based on information provided in your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
These new SNAP eligibility rules will last until one month after the public health emergency from COVID-19 is officially lifted. If you are able to get benefits due to these new rules, your benefits will last until your next recertification even if the public health emergency is ended first.
Temporary 15% Increase in SNAP Benefits through September 2021
The federal stimulus package that Congress passed in March 2021 will extend the temporary increase in the amount of monthly SNAP benefits for all SNAP participants by 15% through September 2021. You do not need to submit an application or request this increased amount. The new higher amount will automatically be added to your Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card.
New Applicants for SNAP
HRA encourages you to stay safe and apply online using the ACCESS HRA website. If you need assistance with your SNAP application that you cannot get over the phone, you can visit an open HRA Center or contact a participating Community Based Organization for help completing your SNAP application. You can find information on participating Community Based Organizations in the Get Help Applying for SNAP section.
You may be required to have a telephone eligibility interview. To avoid one, you should submit as many documents as you can that verify your eligibility using the Document Upload feature on the ACCESS HRA Mobile App. HRA will contact you if you need to give more information or documents. In-person interview appointments at SNAP Centers are not available at this time.
Current SNAP Recipients Who are Due to Recertify
If you receive a SNAP recertification notice by mail or an ACCESS HRA alert that you need to recertify, you must submit your recertification or your benefits will stop. You can use ACCESS HRA or fax, mail, or a drop box at open centers to submit your recertification. Make sure to include your correct phone number. You can check it and update it on the ACCESS HRA website or the ACCESS HRA Mobile App.
Learn about the ways you can submit your recertification and supporting documents.
Recertifying households may not be required to have a telephone eligibility interview for SNAP. To avoid one, recertifying recipients should submit as many documents as they can that verify their eligibility using the Document Upload feature on the ACCESS HRA Mobile App. HRA will contact you if you need to give more information or documents.
Get more information about COVID-19 and your HRA benefits.
All Other Current Recipients
SNAP Periodic Report
Starting in July 2021, if you receive a SNAP Periodic Report, you must submit your Periodic Report or your case will close. You can submit your Periodic Report using the ACCESS HRA website or the ACCESS HRA Mobile App. If your SNAP Periodic Report was due between March 1, 2021 and June 30, 2021 and you did not submit it, negative actions were not taken.
Reporting Changes on a Current SNAP Case
If you receive SNAP benefits and have lost your job or had a change in your income, please submit a Case Change request using the ACCESS HRA website. You do not need to submit a new application or visit an office. You will need to submit documents to prove the change you report, which you can do using the Document Upload feature on the ACCESS HRA Mobile App. If, however, you are due to recertify your SNAP benefits in the next 75 days, you must report the change as part of your recertification. You will be prevented from submitting a Case Change on the ACCESS HRA website during this period.
Learn about the documents you can use and the ways to submit them.
Get more information about COVID-19 and your HRA benefits.
Keep Your Information Up-to-Date
Use the ACCESS HRA website or the ACCESS HRA Mobile App to view your case information and update your contact information. It's very important that HRA has your current contact information.
Former SNAP Recipients or Households Denied for Excess Income
If your application or case was denied/closed because you were employed and you lost that job or some of that pay, you may now be eligible for SNAP even if you received extra income such as the Federal Pandemic Unemployment Insurance Benefit. Use the ACCESS HRA website or the ACCESS HRA Mobile App to submit a new application.
HRA Locations
HRA is in the process of reopening locations, but with ACCESS HRA you can skip the trip and apply for SNAP, Cash Assistance, special grants and more online. If your needs cannot be met by ACCESS HRA, visit the HRA Locations page for more information on center openings.
EBT Cards
Applicants who have been approved for benefits will receive an EBT card in the mail. If your EBT card has not yet arrived and you cannot wait for it, you can go to the Brooklyn Over-The-Counter (OTC) Common Benefit Identification Card (CBIC) site for your permanent card, or an open HRA location for a temporary card that will have all benefits available until your EBT card arrives. Visit the HRA Center Locations website for more information.
Permanent replacement EBT cards can only be sent via the mail or picked up at the Brooklyn OTC CBIC site. For more information, visit the Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) Card page.
SNAP ABAWD Work Requirements
Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents (ABAWD) work requirements are currently suspended.
Supplement for SNAP Households
The Families First Coronavirus Response Act of 2020 provided funding for a supplemental benefit for SNAP households. The supplemental benefit is issued during the last 2 weeks of each month that it is authorized. The supplemental benefit has been authorized for August 2021.
From March 2020 through March 2021, the supplemental benefit was only issued to SNAP households that did not receive the maximum benefit for their household’s size.
In April 2021, the US Department of Agriculture changed its policy on the supplemental benefit. All households with an active or closed SNAP case that receive SNAP benefits in a month when the supplemental benefit is authorized, even those receiving the maximum SNAP allotment, will receive a supplemental benefit of at least $95. This policy only affects SNAP benefits for April 2021 and any future months the supplemental benefit is issued. It is not retroactive and does not affect any months prior to April 2021.
Households that previously received a supplement of less than $95, or no supplement, will receive a supplement of $95. For households receiving supplements of more than $95, the supplement will continue to be the difference between the amount of SNAP benefits the household was issued and the maximum benefit amount allowed for the household size.
Get answers to frequently asked questions about the supplement benefit.
