increase the snap minimum benefit in the FY25 state budget

In March 2023, the nearly 3 million New Yorkers who participate in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) saw a significant drop in their monthly benefits following the end of SNAP Emergency Allotments (EAs). New York households saw an average loss of $151 per month, while some saw monthly benefits drop to just $23.

With food insecurity on the rise, the NY Food Policy Alliance led a campaign calling on the Governor and legislative leaders to support a minimum SNAP benefit of $100 per month in the final FY2025 state budget. We were disappointed that while a bipartisan, broad-based coalition of lawmakers endorsed a $100 SNAP minimum benefit, it did not make it into the final FY25 State Budget. We were able to develop champions in the Senate (which included a minimum benefit of $50 per month in its Budget Bill) and Assembly that support the initiative and we are committed to continue fighting for the increase until it is implemented.

about the policy & impact

SNAP is a vital support for New Yorkers struggling to afford food. The program has been proven to reduce poverty, improve health outcomes, and stimulate local economies. During the COVID-19 Pandemic, higher SNAP benefit levels helped reduce poverty and food insecurity rates. Despite this policy success, the pandemic-era expansion of SNAP benefits and eligibility expired early 2023. The elimination of these supplemental benefits represents a reduction of nearly $228 million per month in federal food benefits for New York families. Worse, this loss of benefits comes as families and individuals continue to face higher prices at the grocery store.

An increase to the SNAP minimum benefit through the passage of A06214/ S7663, as introduced by Assembly Member Jessica González-Rojas and Senator Rachel May respectively, would distribute to each eligible household a monthly state SNAP benefit equal to the difference between the household’s federal SNAP benefit and $100 to bring them up to this new minimum. This is estimated to impact over 107,000 New York State residents who currently receive less than $100 per month in SNAP benefits. In New York City, this would impact over 28,000 residents, with an average age of 56 years and an average income of $1,340 per month.

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