Food stamps, food pantries, community kitchens, and other free food resources are available throughout New York City. Click here to see if you qualify for SNAP (Food Stamps). For information on the locations of food pantries click here.
FOOD STAMPS
The Food Stamp Program (also known as the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program) is a critical work support, which provides food assistance for nearly 1.8 million low-income New Yorkers including families, the elderly and the disabled. Food Stamps can be used at many locations, including supermarkets, most farmers markets, and some Green Carts.
Many people don’t know they are eligible for food stamps. The only way to know is to apply. You can own your own home or car, have money saved, or be an immigrant and still be eligible for food stamps. Each application is evaluated on an individual basis and qualifying is based on income.
If you are eligible for Food Stamps, you will receive them within 30 days. In some cases, emergency benefits can be issued sooner. For more information about Expedited Food Stamps, or other assistance, call the HRA Infoline at (718)-557-1399.
HOW TO APPLY
Step 1. Apply Online or Get an application.
You can download an application (click here); you may pick one up at your local Food Stamp Center; call to have one sent to you by mail; or have someone pick one up for you at a local Food Stamp Center.
Step 2. Fill out the application.
Anyone may fill out an application. Answer as many questions as you can. If you need help filling out an application, please ask for help at your local Food Stamp Center (See the listed offices near the bottom of this page).
Step 3. Submit your application.
Submit the completed application to your local Food Stamp Center. The completed application and the required documentation can be submitted in person, by mail or by fax to your local Food Stamp Center. If you go to the local Food Stamp Center to pick up an application, you have the right to submit your application the same day, and you will be screened to see if you may be eligible for Expedited Processing.
Step 4. Set up an interview.
At your interview, you will need to show us a variety of documentation to prove your identity and circumstances.
WHAT TO BRING TO THE INTERVIEW
* Proof of identity (driver’s license, ID card)
* Proof of address, unless you are homeless (apartment or house lease, electric, gas, water or phone bill, rent book or receipt, or mortgage statement).
* Social Security numbers of everyone you are applying for. If you do not have a number, you will have to apply for one.
* Proof of the amount of all earned and unearned income before taxes or deductions (pay stubs for the past month or two, employer wage statement, benefits letter from Social Security unemployment compensation, Veterans Administration or pensions).
* Household composition.
* Proof of shelter costs. If you want us to count your actual utility expenses, you will have to verify them.
* Proof of immigration status for non-citizens who are applying for Food Stamps (you do not have to provide any immigration information on people who are not applying for Food Stamps).
* Proof of child support payments you make if you want us to consider the amount you pay (support order, separation agreement, child support records).
* Proof of out-of-pocket medical expenses if you are age 60 or older or receive federal disability benefits (doctor or hospital bills; prescription receipts, receipts for over-the-counter medical expenses if prescribed by a medical practitioner; transportation costs to get to medical care).
* Proof of child care expenses if you are working or looking for work or in training.
EXPEDITED SERVICES / PROCESSING
You may be able to get your Food Stamp Benefits within five days. This is called Expedited Processing. You do not need to be out of food to get Expedited Processing for Food Stamp Benefits. For the Emergency FoodLine call 311 or toll free at 866-888-8777. You may be able to get Expedited Processing if:
- you are eligible for SNAP benefits, and
- your household has less than $100 in cash or other available resources and will have less than $150 in gross income during the month that you apply, or
- your combined income and available resources in the month of application are less than the sum of your rent or mortgage plus heat, utilities and phone, or
- at least one person in the household is a destitute migrant or seasonal farm worker and his/her cash and bank accounts are not more than $100.
If you meet the criteria for Expedited Processing you will be scheduled for an interview within two days. This appointment is to see if you are eligible for Expedited SNAP Benefits.
NOTE: You do not need to be out of food to get Expedited Processing for SNAP Benefits.
For more information about Expedited SNAP Benefits, or other assistance, call the HRA Infoline at 718-557-1399.
WHAT YOU CAN AND CANNOT BUY WITH FOOD STAMPS
What items can be purchased with Food Stamps?
* Food or food products meant to be eaten by people
* Vegetable seeds and food-producing plants, roots, and trees for family consumption
* Baby formula, diabetic and diet foods
* Edible items used in preparing or preserving food such as spices, herbs, pectin and shortening
* Water and ice labeled for human consumption
* Snack foods
What items cannot be purchased with Food Stamps?
* Prepared hot foods in grocery stores
* Any prepared food (hot or cold) sold and meant to be eaten at the store
* Alcoholic beverages and tobacco
* Cleaning products, paper products, toiletries, and cooking utensils
* Pet supplies
* Items for food preservation such as canning jars and lids, freezer containers, or food wrapping paper
* Medicines, vitamins or minerals
* Items for gardening such as fertilizer and peat moss
EMERGENCY FOOD ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
The New York City Emergency Food Assistance Program helps to supply food to more than 550 food pantries and community kitchens throughout the City.
If you need food immediately, go to 311 Online. 311 Online will tell you where you can go, no matter where you are. There are locations throughout the five boroughs.
BRONX OFFICES
Concourse
1375 Jerome Avenue, 2nd Floor, Bronx, NY 10452
718-722-8013 | 718-590-7235 | Fax: 917-639-2473
Monday – Friday 8:30 am to 6:00 pm
Crotona
1910 Monterey Avenue, 5th Floor, Bronx, NY 10457
718-722-8013 | 718-901-5459 | Fax: 917-639-1107
Melrose
260 East 161 Street, 3rd Floor, Bronx, NY 10451
718-722-8013 | 718-838-6353 (8:30am-9am only) | 718-838-6320 (work requirements)
Fax: 917-639-2482
MANHATTAN OFFICES
East End
2322 Third Avenue, 3rd Floor, New York, NY 10035
212-860-5159 | 212-860-5147 | Fax: 917-639-2501
St. Nicholas
132 W.125th Street, 3rd Floor, New York, NY 10027
212-666-1434 | 212-666-8788 | Fax: 917-639-2498
Washington Heights
4055 10th Avenue, Lower Level, New York, NY 10034
212-569-9829 | 212-569-9835 | Fax: 917-639-2496
Waverly
12 West 14th St,4th Floor, New York, NY 10011
212-352-2519 | 212-352-2524 | Fax: 917-639-2504
BROOKLYN OFFICES
Coney Island
2857-2865 West 8th Street, 1st Floor, Brooklyn, NY 11224
929-221-3611 | 929-221-3537 | Fax: 917-639-1108
East New York
404 Pine Street, 1st Floor, Brooklyn, New York 11208
1-929-221-8329 | 1-929-221-8327 | Fax: 917-639-2520
Fort Greene
275 Bergen Street, 1st Floor, Brooklyn, NY 11217
718-473-8510 | 718-694-8196 | Fax: 917-639-2483
North Brooklyn
500 Dekalb Avenue, 4rd Floor, Brooklyn, NY 11205
718-398-5057 | 718-636-7046 | Fax: 917-639-2489
Williamsburg
30 Thornton Street, 4th Floor, Brooklyn, NY 11206
718-963-5115 | 718-963-5140 | Fax: 917-639-2486
QUEENS OFFICES
Jamaica
165-08 88th Avenue, 3rd Floor, Jamaica, NY 11432
718-883-8356 | 718-883-8344 | Fax: 917-639-2476
Queens
32-20 Northern Blvd., 2nd Floor, LIC, NY 11101
(Entrance on One Honeywell Street)
718-784-6123 | 718-784-6315 | Fax: 917-639-2492
Rockaway
219 Beach 59th Street, 1st Floor, Rockaway, NY 11692
718-637-2756 | 718-637-2750 | Fax: 917-639-2523
STATEN ISLAND OFFICES
Richmond
201 Bay Street, 2nd Floor, Staten Island, NY 10301
718-390-6827 | 718-390-6994 | Fax: 917-639-2537
