During the COVID pandemic, the federal government allowed New York State to issue extra SNAP each month through February 2023. Starting in March 2023, New York State is not allowed to issue that extra SNAP and you will receive only the regular monthly SNAP benefits if you remain eligible.

If your SNAP benefits decreased for any other reason, for example, if your income decreased or rent increased, you CAN challenge it by having a fair hearing.

If you need help applying for HRA benefits or with a cash assistance/welfare or SNAP case, including a fair hearing, call The Legal Aid Society’s Access to Benefits helpline 888-663-6880 on Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

There are four ways to apply for cash assistance and/or SNAP/Food Stamps:

• By computer or smart phone –You can apply for cash assistance (also known as welfare or public assistance or “PA”) and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits (SNAP, formerly food stamps) online at ACCESS HRA. You can then upload documents on the ACCESS HRA app on your smartphone.
• By paper application – You can complete a paper application and send it to HRA by mail. You can get a paper application by (a) calling HRA OneNumber at 718-557-1399 or 311 (and ask for HRA application) or (b) printing one from the HRA website. After you fill it in, you can send it to HRA.
• In person – at an open HRA Benefits Access Center – You can go in person to apply or to pick up a paper application. HRA offices (now called “Benefits Access Centers”) are open in each borough.
• Apply by Phone or Request a Home Visit – If for any reason you cannot apply using the ways described above, you can ask that HRA take an application over the telephone or that HRA make a home visit. Especially if you have a medical or mental health condition or disability that makes it hard for you to apply or to get other services at HRA, you have a right to ask for help under the law. You can ask HRA for a home visit or telephone application by calling HRA at 212-331-4640. You can also ask for help in person at an HRA office.

• Help with emergencies: Examples of emergencies include having no cash, needing food or personal hygiene items (soap, diapers, toilet paper, masks); facing an electricity or gas shut-off; facing eviction. If you have one or more of these emergencies you may qualify for help.
• Help with cash assistance: Cash Assistance is a twice-a- month cash grant that you can use to meet basic needs. Some of the grant goes to rent and utilities, and there are other special grants for furniture, clothing, storage fees, etc. depending on your situation.
• Help for people who are homeless: If you are homeless, you may be able to get carfare to use for apartment search, an allowance for purchasing prepared food from restaurants; help keeping your belongings in storage.
• Help to prevent eviction: HRA also helps to prevent evictions. If you are facing eviction and need help, help is available through Legal Aid’s Housing Helpline at 212-298-3333.

Requests for help with emergencies are supposed to happen right away. Requests to open a case take longer. HRA must respond to your application in writing within 30 days if you are applying for:

• cash assistance SNAP
• Medicaid

• Call 311 and complain. Get a confirmation number from the 311 operator.
• Call The Legal Aid Society’s Access to Benefits helpline 888-663-6880 on Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

You can request a “fair hearing” if:

• Your benefits are going to be denied, or reduced, or discontinued,
• You are asking that a person be added to the case, but they are not added,
• You lost your job or your hours are reduced, and HRA is still paying the same amount of benefits,
• You are having trouble getting a sanction lifted,
• You can request fair hearings on other issues too.

At the hearing, a judge will hear the case and decide if HRA made a mistake.

You can request a fair hearing in 5 ways:

• Online “Electronic” Request”
• Email hearing.request@otda.ny.gov.
• Phone call: 518-474-8781 or toll free 800-342-3334
• Fax: 518-473-6735
• By mail – write to:
  New York State OTDA
  Office of Administrative Hearings
  P.O. Box 1930
  Albany, New York 12201

Can I go in person to 14 Boerum Place and Request a hearing?
No. Not right now. Because of the COVID-19 crisis, that office is currently closed to the public. You can not go in person to 14 Boerum Place, 1st Floor, Brooklyn (corner of Boerum and Livingston Streets).

When should you request the fair hearing?
Request a Fair Hearing right away! You can request a fair hearing as soon as you receive a notice of decision that you disagree with, or if your benefits or services are changed without notice.

You must request a fair hearing within 60 days of the date of the notice for cash public assistance and Medicaid issues, and 90 days for SNAP (Food Stamp) issues. Even if you think you missed the deadline, you can still make the request.
If you request the hearing within 10 days of the date of the notice, you can get “aid continuing.” “Aid continuing” means your benefits should continue unchanged until the hearing decision is made.

The information in this document has been prepared by The Legal Aid Society for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. This information is not intended to create, and receipt of it does not constitute, an attorney-client relationship. You should not act upon any information without retaining professional legal counsel.