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New York Food Stamps Recertification

If you are currently on food stamps in New York, you are required to “recertify” your benefits before the end of your certification period to continue to receive benefits. In this post, we will explain the New York food stamps recertification process in detail. Note that this is for all food stamps recipients in New York except residents of New York City (NYC). If you are on food stamps in NYC, click here for recertification process and instructions.

This post will cover:

  • Why You Need to Recertify Food Stamps
  • New York Food Stamps Recertification Process

"How to Complete New York Food Stamps Recertification"

Why You Need to Recertify Food Stamps

Once you are approved for food stamps, you will receive benefits for a certain period of time. This is called your “certification period.” You will have to recertify periodically to continue receiving food stamps.

Certification periods can range from monthly to every two years. Your caseworker will let you know how long your certification period is and when you will need to recertify.

Approximately 60 days before the end of your certification period, the New York Department of Social Services will send you a recertification packet that you will need to complete and send back. This form will reflect the information the department has about you.

You must review the form, update any information that has changed, and fill in any blank sections. You will need to send this form, along with the proofs requested back to your the department before the due date specified on the accompanying letter.

After you submit the information, you will have to submit for an interview.

Change of Address
It is very important to let the Department of Social Services know if you move to a new address so they can send the recertification paperwork to the right address on time.

New York Food Stamps Recertification Process

There are three important steps in the recertification process:

Step 1 – Submit the Recertification Application

The first step is to submit a Recertification application. You can submit your recertification application by mail, online, by fax, or in person at your local department of social services.

Here’s how to submit your recertification application online. Visit the myBenefits.ny.gov website. Once there, click on “LOG INTO YOUR ACCOUNT” as shown below.

"New York Food Stamps Recertification"

Once you are logged in, you will see menu options displayed on the page. Click on “Start New Recertification Application” as shown below.

You will be taken to a page to fill out the New York recertification application.

"New York Food Stamps Recertification - 1"

Step 2  – Schedule and Attend Interview

After you submit your application, you must be interviewed. Your scheduled interview appointment date can be found on page one of your recertification packet.

If you submit your application AFTER the scheduled interview appointment that is listed on your recertification packet, then it is YOUR responsibility to reschedule your interview appointment before the end of your recertification period.

Step 3 – Provide Requested Documents

After your interview, you may be asked to submit additional documents related to your income or circumstances. You can call the Department of Social Services (DSS) at 1-800-342-3009 with any questions.

If you have any comments or need help with food stamps in New York or the recertification process, you can ask us in the comments section below.

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Kwame Kuadey

Kwame Kuadey writes about personal finance and the social safety net. His career started in banking but he caught the entrepreneurial bug and has spent the last decade building successful businesses, including an Inc. 500 Company. Kwame believes everyone has the power to improve their quality of life by seeking knowledge and taking action. In 2012, Kwame founded Empower Media to help low-income households improve their financial situation. His expertise is in topics relevant to low-income households, including government benefits and assistance, banking products, access to credit, plus tools & resources to help reduce income volatility and build wealth. Kwame has been featured in The Wall Street Journal, Forbes, Entrepreneur, Inc. Magazine, Washington Post, ABC, and NPR.

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