FOOD STAMPS

What Are Food Stamps?

Everybody in New York City has a legal right to food even if they can’t pay for it.  The NYC government is legally required to provide access to food for people who can’t afford it.  The city’s solutions is Food Stamps which basically means money for groceries.

How do they work?

You get an electronic benefit card (EBT Card) that you can use to buy food at participating stores. You receive a Personal Identification Number (PIN) so it works just like a credit or debit card. Food Stamps can be used at most grocery stores and supermarkets. Food stamps can also be used at stores which sell healthy and organic foods like Trader Joes and Whole Foods and at participating Farmers Markets.

Who Get’s them?

If you’re living on the street you automatically qualify for food stamps.  Other eligibility rules are constantly changing. To find out if you’re eligible, go to a Food Stamps office and talk to a worker there, check online or give The Space a call at (917) 399-0299. Only U.S. citizens can apply. It is possible that when you apply they will run a warrant check on your name to see if the cops in New York are looking for you. Students have to be working in order to apply, but nobody else does.

How do I apply?

There are Food Stamps offices in every borough of New York. Go to the one closest to where you live -otherwise they will send you away.  If you are homeless you can go to any Food Stamps office and be seen by a worker.  You can find a list of all of the city’s Food Stamps offices here.

If you need help filling out the application, you just have to be sure you get your name, address (if you have one) and signature on it.  Once it has that information on it they are legally required to accept it and help you fill out the rest.

If you do not have any identification, you are still legally entitled to Food Stamps.

If you know your social security number (even if you don’t have a social security card) you can request a Confirmation of Identification form from the Food Stamps workers (form W133AA).  They can verify that you are who you say you are and submit your application without ID.  When you get your benefit card, make sure you get one with a photo on it.  This is a government-issued photo ID with your name, birth date, and signature on it.  For all official purposes, it is as good as a state ID.

For Assistance With Food Stamps:

MEALS & SOUP KITCHENS