There’s more uncertainty building around Americans’ Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits as U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins recently told news outlets all recipients will have to reapply for their benefits in an effort to cut down on “fraud.”
However, in a statement to USA TODAY on Nov. 17, the USDA didn’t say requirements to “reapply” were coming. Instead, the agency said it was using “standard recertification processes for households” as part of “further regulatory work” to ensure “fraud, waste,” and “abuse” are controlled.
And the New York State Office for Disability and Temporary Assistance (OTDA) says they haven’t received any guidance from the USDA about having all SNAP recipients reapply for their benefits.
“While not surprising considering previous actions by this administration related to SNAP, it is disappointing that the USDA continues to focus on creating barriers for New Yorkers in need accessing this important resource that helps reduce hunger and food insecurity for children, older adults, and those with disabilities,” an OTDA spokesperson said in an email on Thursday, Nov. 20.
Here’s what to know.
What is SNAP?
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, is a federal program that provides low-income families monthly benefits in order to afford healthy food. Over 40 million Americans rely on these benefits, including nearly three million New Yorkers.
SNAP funding was frozen during the historic 43-day federal government shutdown, which was a first for a federal administration. The spending package that ended the shutdown on Nov. 12 restored full funding to the USDA.
Will I need to reapply for my SNAP benefits in New York?
It’s unclear right now.
In a Nov. 13 Newsmax interview, Rollins said SNAP was among the first priorities she targeted for review, citing concerns about eligibility and oversight, and claimed preliminary data from 29 states showed more than 186,000 “deceased” individuals are “receiving a check” through SNAP.
However, benefits are distributed on electronic cards, not checks, and the U.S. Congressional Research Service described SNAP fraud as “rare” in an April 7 report, saying available data and reports show a large number of overpayments can be attributed to unintentional errors.
While SNAP participants must recertify their information at least every six months depending on the state and their status, reapplying entirely is a more intense, time-consuming and costly process. Reapplying would also come at a great cost for states because through the “Big Beautiful Bill,” states are now responsible for a higher share of the administration costs needed to maintain and distribute SNAP benefits.
Who gets SNAP benefits?
SNAP, formerly known as food stamps, provides cash cards known as Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) to approximately 12% of Americans for a limited time to help purchase basic food items. A large number of recipients are elderly, disabled or children.
To qualify, households must be at or below 130% of the poverty line, meaning they make up to 30% more than the federal poverty guideline, which in 2025 was $15,650 for a single person, $26,650 for a three-person household, and $37,650 for a five-person household.
A one-person household had a maximum monthly allotment of $298 in 2025, while a three-person household could get a maximum of $785 and a five-person household could receive $1,183, according to the USDA. There are special additional rules for households with elderly or disabled members.
SNAP benefits are determined by states and funded by the USDA. Recipients must recertify regularly to maintain eligibility. Typically, benefits can only be provided for 3 months within a 36-month period, unless additional work-related requirements apply. Approved recipients are given a finite timeline to access their benefits.
What to know about other recent SNAP changes
The “Big Beautiful Bill” cut an estimated $186 billion from SNAP funding through 2034 and added new restrictions to the program.
Under the expanded rules set by the Republican law, all adults ages 18-64 must work at least 20 hours a week to get food benefits through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, unless they are disabled or qualify for another exemption such as pregnancy. Those who fail to meet that condition will stop getting aid after three months.
The law also extended the rules to a broader range of parents with dependent children. Previously, anyone with a child under age 18 in their care was exempt from the work requirement. Now, only those with children younger than 14 are exempt.
In addition, the law lifted other exceptions that had been put in place in 2023 for veterans, homeless people and people ages 24 and younger who were in foster care when they turned 18.
And New York State Attorney General Letitia James, along with 20 other attorneys general, are asking for clarity on SNAP eligibility as they say the USDA’s new guidance “wrongly treats several groups of immigrants as ineligible for food assistance, contradicts long-standing federal law and could unlawfully block lawful permanent residents … from receiving food benefits they’re entitled to.”
Contributing: New York State Team reporter Chris McKenna
Emily Barnes reports on consumer-related issues for the USA TODAY Network’s New York Connect Team, focusing on scam and recall-related topics. Follow her on X and Instagram @byemilybarnes. Get in touch at ebarnes@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Will NY SNAP recipients have to reapply? What you should know
Reporting by Emily Barnes and Mary Walrath-Holdridge, New York Connect Team / Rochester Democrat and Chronicle
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
