What's New in SNAP

November 10, 2011

Author: Cathy Roberts

It has been a busy year in SNAP (the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, also known as the Food Stamp Program).  Here are a few highlights:

1)      Higher Income Guidelines Effective October 1, 2011: Updated Budget Worksheet Available

The SNAP income thresholds have gone up a bit, although there is no increase to the benefit (thrifty food plan).  OTDA announced the new guidelines to local districts via a General Information System memo, GIS TA/DC 015; available at http://www.otda.ny.gov/policy/gis/2011/11DC015.pdf.   Empire Justice has updated our food stamp budget worksheet to reflect the updated amounts.  You can get our updated budget worksheet http://www.empir ejustice.org/issue-areas/public-benefits/food-stamps/food-stamp-budget-worksheets.html

2)      USDA Releases Proposed Regulations Implementing 2008 Farm Bill Provisions

Within the past six months, USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service has published no fewer than six sets of proposed regulations!  The proposed rules were issued to implement statutory changes required by 2008 federal reauthorization (the “Farm Bill”).  Empire Justice submitted comments on three sets of the proposed regulations:

• Clarification of Fleeing Felons http://www.empirejustice.org/policy-advocacy/comments/fleeing-felon-foodstamp-comments.html;
• Updated Trafficking Definition and Dual Participation http://www.empirejustice.org/policy-advocacy/comments/snap-traficking-definition-comments.html;
• Eligibility, Certification and Employment and Training Provisions

You can view all the proposed regulations, as well as the written comments that were submitted, at www.regulations.gov.

3)      Disaster and Replacement SNAP Benefits Assist In Hurricane Irene and Lee Relief Efforts

In response to the massive flooding and power outages caused by both Hurricanes Irene and Lee, New York State opened up a Disaster Food Stamp Program and utilized food stamp replacement benefits to assist affected households.

Final data is not yet available, but according to Frances Shannon-Akstull, Food Stamp Policy Bureau chief at OTDA, approximately 2900 households received disaster food stamp benefits, and more than 50,000 households got replacement food stamps.

Disaster and replacement food stamps are a critical piece of disaster recovery efforts, not only because they provide food assistance to households in need, but also because these programs pump in additional federal dollars to disaster-designated areas. Disaster and replacement food stamp benefits are 100% federally funded, with no state or county match.

4)      Reminder – Restored Benefits for Retroactive SSI Recipients

In response to concerns raised by the Legal Services Advisory Committee, OTDA has issued a General Information System message 2011 GIS TA/DC 011, reminding districts on the correct budgeting methodology when an SSI recipient is eligible for restored food stamp benefits.  You can get the GIS at http://www.otda.ny.gov/policy/gis/2011/11DC001.pdf

As always, if you have any SNAP-related questions, please feel free to contact Barbara Weiner (bweiner@empirejustice.org) or Cathy Roberts (croberts@empirejustice.org).