What are Food Stamps?

What is the Food Stamp Program?

The Food Stamp Program provides coupons and Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) cards to low-income families to buy food.  This is a federal program operated by State and local welfare offices.

You can go to any HRA Job Center or Food Stamp Office to apply for food stamps.  Many immigrants may now be able to get Food Stamps.

As an immigrant, can I get Food Stamps?

Starting October 1, 2003, all qualified immigrant children (under age 18) maybe eligible for food stamps.  Starting April 1, 2003, anyone who has lived in the U.S. as a “qualified” immigrant for five years may be eligible for food stamps.

The following types of immigrants are “qualified”: “Green card” holders (lawful permanent residents), conditional entrants; Refugees, asylees, parolees; Cuban/Haitian entrants, Amerasian immigrants; Persons granted withholding of deportation/removal; and Certain victims of domestic violence or immigrant trafficking.

Qualified immigrants who have lived in the U.S. for five years should apply at their local welfare office.  The welfare office should provide a free interpreter to anyone who needs one.  If you have questions, call the Welfare Law Line at (215) 227-6485.

Can my children get Food Stamps?

Yes, children can get food stamps regardless of how long they have been in the country.

Where and how should I apply for Food Stamps?

You can go to a Food Stamp Office in New York City.  All Food Stamp offices are open Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 5PM.  You can download the food stamp application online by clicking here.

You can also go to a Job Center.  If you apply for welfare at a job center, you will fill out a Food Stamp application at the same time.  See list of Manhattan job centers.

All Food Stamp offices are now required to translate all materials into Spanish, Chinese, Russian, Haitian-Creole, French, Arabic, Korean, Vietnamese and Yiddish.  If you need an interpreter, be sure you tell the office, and they will provide one for you free of charge.

How long will my Food Stamp application take to process?

Tell the Food Stamps Program staff that you have an emergency.  If you need a meal right now, you can call the Food Bank's 24 Hour Phone service to locate the closest food bank at 1-866-NYC-FOOD (1-866-692-3663) or click here for a list of the agencies available to you in Manhattan.

Click here for more information about food programs.

Your application can take up to 30 days to be processed, but if you have an emergency you may be eligible for an emergency benefit within 5 days.

How much Food Stamps can I receive?

Use the Food Stamp calculator by clicking here to figure out how much food stamps you can get.  If you want more information on food stamps, please click here.