Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) – otda.ny.gov

Report on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and its Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Program Overview and Core Mission

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is a key federal initiative administered at the state level to combat food insecurity. The program provides electronic benefits to eligible low-income individuals and families, which can be used to purchase food. This initiative is fundamental to achieving several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), serving as a critical social protection system.

• SDG 1 (No Poverty): By supplementing the food budgets of low-income households, SNAP frees up financial resources for other essential needs, directly contributing to poverty alleviation.
• SDG 2 (Zero Hunger): The primary objective of SNAP is to ensure all people have access to safe, nutritious, and sufficient food, directly addressing the targets of SDG 2.
• SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities): The program specifically targets vulnerable populations, including low-income workers, senior citizens, and individuals with disabilities, thereby working to reduce economic and social inequalities.

Program updates include the reinstatement of time limit rules for Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents (ABAWD) effective November 2025. A security feature allowing beneficiaries to freeze their Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card is also available to protect against theft.

Benefit Administration and Health Outcomes

Mechanism of Benefit Delivery

SNAP benefits are disbursed via an Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card, which functions similarly to a standard debit card at authorized retail locations. This system ensures efficient and secure distribution of monthly allotments. Furthermore, the USDA’s Online Purchasing Pilot expands access to nutritious food, allowing beneficiaries in New York State to order groceries online from participating stores, a measure that enhances convenience and accessibility.

Contribution to SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being)

By enabling the purchase of healthy food, SNAP plays a crucial role in promoting better health and well-being. Access to adequate nutrition is foundational for preventing malnutrition and diet-related diseases, aligning with the core tenets of SDG 3.

Maximum Benefit Allotments

Benefit levels are determined by household size and income, with maximum allotments established to address nutritional needs. The following table outlines the maximum benefit allowances effective October 1, 2025.

*Note: These figures represent the maximum possible benefit. The actual amount is determined by a detailed budget calculation based on household circumstances.

Eligibility Framework and Social Inclusion

Income Guidelines

Eligibility for SNAP is primarily based on gross and net income relative to household size. The program has specific income thresholds to ensure resources are directed to those most in need. It is important to note that meeting these income guidelines does not guarantee eligibility; a full application is required for a formal determination.

Special Provisions for Vulnerable Groups

To further the goal of SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities), the eligibility framework includes adjusted income guidelines for households with elderly (age 60 or older) or disabled members. This recognizes the unique economic challenges these populations may face. Additionally, most households are not subject to a savings/resource test, removing a significant barrier to access for those with modest assets.

Support for Higher Education Students

In alignment with SDG 4 (Quality Education) and SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), specific criteria allow college students to access SNAP benefits, ensuring they are not forced to choose between their education and nutritional needs. Eligibility for students attending college at least half-time requires meeting income standards and one of the following conditions:

• Being under age 19 or over age 50.
• Having a physical or mental disability.
• Working at least 20 hours per week or participating in a work-study program.
• Caring for a young child.
• Receiving Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF).
• Enrollment in a qualified career, technical, or remedial education program at designated institutions.

Procedural Requirements

Recertification Process

To ensure continued eligibility, beneficiaries must undergo a periodic recertification process. This process is designed to be accessible and can often be completed without an in-person visit.

1. Application Submission: A recertification packet is mailed to the household, and the application must be submitted online, by mail, by fax, or in person.
2. Interview: An interview must be completed after the application is submitted. It is the applicant’s responsibility to schedule this interview if the initial appointment is missed.
3. Documentation: Additional documents verifying income or other circumstances may be requested following the interview.

Contact and Support

For additional information, individuals can contact their local department of social services or the OTDA Hotline at 1-800-342-3009.

Commitment to Equality and Non-Discrimination

Upholding SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions)

In accordance with federal law and USDA policy, the SNAP program is administered under a strict non-discrimination policy. This commitment to equal opportunity is a cornerstone of building just and inclusive institutions as outlined in SDG 16.

Discrimination is prohibited on the basis of:

• Race
• Color
• National origin
• Sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation)
• Religious creed
• Disability
• Age
• Political beliefs
• Reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity

New York State law provides additional protections against discrimination based on transgender status, gender dysphoria, marital status, and military status. Program information is available in alternative formats and languages to ensure accessibility. To file a discrimination complaint, an individual should complete Form AD-3027 and submit it to the USDA.

Relevant Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

SDG 1: No Poverty

• The article discusses the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which is a social protection system designed to assist vulnerable populations. The text explicitly states that “SNAP helps low-income working people, senior citizens, the disabled and others feed their families.” This directly addresses the goal of reducing poverty by providing essential support to those with limited financial resources, helping them allocate their income to other necessities beyond food.

SDG 2: Zero Hunger

• This is the most prominent SDG related to the article. The entire purpose of the SNAP program is to combat hunger and improve nutrition. The article’s overview states that SNAP “issues electronic benefits that can be used like cash to purchase food” and that these benefits “can help you put healthy food on the table.” This aligns perfectly with the goal of ending hunger and ensuring access to sufficient and nutritious food for all.

SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

• The article addresses inequality by targeting assistance to specific vulnerable groups and enforcing non-discrimination. Eligibility guidelines are provided for different household compositions, including those with “an Older Adult (60 years or older) or Disabled Member,” ensuring these groups receive consideration. Furthermore, the detailed “Nondiscrimination Statement” explicitly prohibits discrimination “on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), religious creed, disability, age, political beliefs,” promoting equal access to benefits for all eligible individuals.

Specific SDG Targets

Target 1.3: Implement nationally appropriate social protection systems and measures for all, including floors, and by 2030 achieve substantial coverage of the poor and the vulnerable.

• The SNAP program described in the article is a clear example of a “nationally appropriate social protection system.” The article details the program’s structure, eligibility criteria based on income and household size, and benefit levels, which function as a social protection floor for food security. The program’s aim to cover “low-income working people, senior citizens, the disabled and others” directly contributes to achieving substantial coverage for the poor and vulnerable.

Target 2.1: By 2030, end hunger and ensure access by all people, in particular the poor and people in vulnerable situations… to safe, nutritious and sufficient food all year round.

• The article demonstrates how SNAP works towards this target by providing monthly electronic benefits to eligible households. The text mentions that benefits can be used “to purchase food at authorized retail food stores” and even highlights a USDA pilot program for ordering “nutritious food online.” This system is designed to ensure consistent, year-round access to food for vulnerable populations.

Target 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status.

• The comprehensive “Nondiscrimination Statement” in the article directly supports this target. By prohibiting discrimination on a wide range of bases and ensuring that “Program information may be made available in languages other than English” and that there are “alternative means of communication” for persons with disabilities, the program actively promotes the inclusion of all eligible individuals.

Indicators for Measuring Progress

Indicator for Target 1.3: Proportion of population covered by social protection floors/systems, by sex, distinguishing children, unemployed persons, older persons, persons with disabilities, pregnant women, newborns, work-injury victims and the poor and the vulnerable.

• The article implies the use of this indicator through its detailed eligibility tables. These tables categorize applicants by “Family Size,” “Monthly Gross Income,” and status (e.g., “Households with an Older Adult (60 years or older) or Disabled Member”). This data collection is necessary to determine eligibility and would allow for tracking the number and proportion of vulnerable people covered by the SNAP program.

Indicator for Target 2.1: Prevalence of moderate or severe food insecurity in the population, based on the Food Insecurity Experience Scale (FIES).

• While the article does not mention the FIES directly, the existence and scale of the SNAP program are a response to food insecurity. The “Maximum SNAP Benefit Allowances” table provides a monetary value assigned to households of different sizes (e.g., “$994” for a household of 4). This monetary allotment is a direct measure of the intervention aimed at reducing food insecurity, and the number of people requiring this assistance serves as a proxy indicator for the prevalence of food insecurity that the program is addressing.

Indicator for Target 10.2: Proportion of people reporting having personally felt discriminated against or harassed in the previous 12 months on the basis of a ground of discrimination prohibited under international human rights law.

• The article implies a mechanism for tracking this through its detailed instructions on how to address discrimination. It states, “To file a program discrimination complaint, a Complainant should complete a Form AD-3027, USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form.” The existence of a formal complaint process and form suggests that data on discrimination complaints is collected, which can be used as an indicator to measure whether the program is ensuring equal and inclusive access.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Analysis

Source: otda.ny.gov