Struggling families in New York will receive the maximum benefit under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program this month, Gov. Kathy Hochul on Tuesday announced.
All told, the move will result in an additional $234 million in aid, her office said.
"These additional benefits have continued to help struggling New Yorkers keep themselves and their families fed throughout the pandemic and now in the face of higher grocery prices due to global inflation," Hochul said. "The $234 million for SNAP will provide relief to New Yorkers in need during the holiday season and cold winter months when household budgets are especially strained."
Households that receive benefits under SNAP will receive a supplementary payment of $95. Those payments are set to post by Thursday for families living outside New York City. For households in New York City, benefits will post Wednesday.
The additional payments have been issued by the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance since April 2020 amid the economic upheaval in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
"These added food benefits are welcome relief for countless families and individuals across our state," OTDA Commissioner Daniel Tietz said. "We will continue to look for ways to maximize federal dollars in order to reduce food insecurity and bring assistance to those in need."