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Onondaga County

Social Services

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

SNAP is a federally funded program whose purpose is to reduce hunger and malnutrition among the members of low-income households. Whether or not you are eligible for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance benefits is based on your household size, income, assets, and several other factors. These factors are used to figure out how much in benefits, if any, you will receive.

The goal of the program is to provide a higher level of nutrition to income eligible individuals and families by helping them buy healthy food.

  • The only way to really know if you are eligible is to file an application.
  • Eligibility for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance benefits is based on a number of factors established by the federal government. These include both earned and unearned income, resources like bank accounts, investments, cash, and in certain circumstances, cars and properties that are available to the household. However, some types of income and some types of resources are not counted when determining eligibility. 
  • Regulations require certain household members to apply together. That includes spouses who live together, children under 22 living with their parent(s) and minors less than 18 living with an adult who provides parental control. Also, non-related members of a household who buy and prepare the majority of their meals together must all apply together.
  • If your household has little or no money and needs help right away, you may qualify for “expedited” Supplemental Nutrition Assistance benefits. If you do, you will receive your initial Supplemental Nutrition Assistance benefit within five days. However, you will still have to complete the regular eligibility process and supply all the required documentation at a later date.
  • IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR SNAP APPLICANTS AND RECIPIENTS:

If you do qualify, you will receive your Supplemental Nutrition Assistance benefits no later than 30 days from the date the office got your application. Your Supplemental Nutrition Assistance benefits will be issued electronically at a participating grocery store. (EBT Page)

You’re an ABAWD… Now What? 

If you receive SNAP and you’re an ABAWD (Able-Bodied Adult Without Dependents), there are rules you must follow to keep your benefits. These resources explain what that means and what you need to do next.

Additional Information

Click Here to learn simple ways to keep your SNAP benefits active and avoid interruptions in your food assistance.

Protect your benefits from theft by freezing your card! SNAP and Public Assistance recipients can quickly and easily freeze their EBT card using the ebtEDGE mobile app.

If you or someone you know needs help accessing food, there are many local food pantries across Onondaga County ready to assist.

Use the link below to find locations, hours, and eligibility details for food pantries near you.

👉 Explore Food Help Near You

  • Never share personal information with individuals or organizations that you do not know. Personal information includes your social security number, bank information, or SNAP electronic benefits transfer card or PIN number.
  • If SNAP participants are unsure if a request for information is legitimate, USDA advises they contact their local SNAP office.  If they do not know their local SNAP office, participants should contact their state agency. State contact information is available at https://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/state-directory.
  • To stay on top of potential scams, please visit USDA’s SNAP scam alert webpage at https://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/scam-alerts.
  • If you believe you are the victim of identity theft, contact your local police department regarding procedures for filing a report.  You may also file a consumer complaint online with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at https://www.ftc.gov.  FTC is the federal agency responsible for protecting consumers from identity theft scams.

USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) administers 15 nutrition assistance programs that leverage American’s agricultural abundance to ensure children and low-income individuals and families have nutritious food to eat. FNS also co-develops the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, which provide science-based nutrition recommendations and serve as the cornerstone of federal nutrition policy.

  • If you are a senior who lives in New York State, aged 60 years or older, and low-income, you may be eligible to receive Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP) checks. Eligible seniors receive a booklet with $4.00 Senior FMNP checks that can only be used to purchase local, fresh, unprocessed vegetables and fruits at participating farmers markets and farm stands. Seniors must contact their local county Office for the Aging for more information about where to receive Senior FMNP checks. The program starts July 1 and checks are distributed on a first come, first serve basis.
  • If you reside Upstate or Outside NYC, contact your County Office for the Aging
  • To be eligible you must be 60 years of age or older, and meet income guidelines (which change annually.) One coupon booklet per year per household is allowed.

Effective 1/1/2008 there is NO resource limit for individuals below 200% poverty unless a member of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance household is sanctioned or disqualified.