Department of Social Services

Food Assistance (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program)

(607) 274-5201

Previously known as Food Stamps, the Federal SNAP program provides low-income households monthly benefits to purchase food. Income and resource standards vary according to age, health, household size and household expenditures.

You or your authorized representative can apply for SNAP either online or by completing a New York State-prescribed form manually and mailing it to or dropping it off at the Department of Social Services.

The following links contain important information:

For more information – including how to file a complaint if you feel that you've been discriminated against – visit the SNAP page on New York State's Office of Family and Disability Assistance website.

Information about the rights of applicants/recipients of this and other public assistance programs which our department administers locally can be found online.

Food Assistance (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program - SNAP)/Headstart Update

There has been a change in federal Head Start policy that simplifies the process for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) households to be deemed eligible for Head Start programs.

In partnership with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Services (FNS), the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Administration for Children and Families (ACF) announced on April 21, 2022, that SNAP recipients are now considered categorically eligible for Head Start programs.

SNAP Head Start Flyer
SNAP Head Start Flyer (en Español)