May 11 2023: All NYC families with children who attended public school in 2021-2022, are eligible for food benefits. Those in charter, private, and other schools, or pre-K, who received free meals through the federal school lunch program are also eligible. Children under 6 years-old as of September 2021 who received federal SNAP food assistance in the months between then and August are also eligible for food benefits.
Most families will not have to apply to receive their benefits, according to the state.
The state will automatically distribute the money to students who were absent or remote for five or more consecutive days of school.
Families who previously received food benefits during the 2019-20 or 2020-21 school years will receive the latest benefits on the same P-EBT card, while newly eligible children will be mailed a card.
Those who have lost their P-EBT card can get a replacement by calling 1-888-328-6399.
Families that receive SNAP, state Temporary Assistance, or Medicaid benefits will get their disbursements directly added to those accounts.
Lemontree is a service that puts you in touch with free food resources in your area. Their website is in both English and Spanish. You can sign up with them to receive text messages about free food in your area.
May 2022 Infant Formula Shortage Resources click below to go to resources lists:
In response to a nationwide shortage of baby formula, two free online tools have been created by communities to facilitate the voluntary exchange of baby formula between families who have extra and those in need.
- The Free Formula Exchange: Families must register for an account and provide the type of formula they need, any dietary considerations for their baby, and whether they are willing to receive opened formula. Families can also rate the urgency of their formula needs. Once registered, they will gain access to a list of individuals with formula whom they can text or email directly to set up the exchange.
WIC Assistance
From Health and Human Services
- The GetFood program has ended. For food assistance from the city go to this link: https://portal.311.nyc.gov/article/?kanumber=KA-03461
2. Food pantries map: https://www.foodbanknyc.org/get-help/
3. People who receive SNAP benefits may now use their card to purchase food online from major retailers: https://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/online-purchasing-pilot
4. SNAP and WIC information: https://www.hungerfreeamerica.org/en-us/benefits-access
5. Assistance with deliveries: Invisible Hands is a group of healthy volunteers from communities at the least risk for severe COVID-19 reactions working to bring groceries and supplies to those in high-risk demographics. Contact them to place an order for yourself or on behalf of family/friend/neighbor. Volunteers needed too! Request a delivery via website https://www.invisiblehandsdeliver.com/request-a-delivery
6. List of Food Pantries and Soup Kitchens All boroughs
7. Food Bank for New York City has a map showing food pantries and soup kitchens. Scroll down to view.
9.) Hunter College New York City Food Policy Center Food Resources online guide by borough and zip code:
https://www.nycfoodpolicy.org/coronavirus-nyc-food-reports/
10. New York Common Pantry — one of the city’s largest food pantries and soup kitchens — welcomes new clients for intake at their 8 E. 109th St. site from 10 am – 4 pm, Monday – Saturday. Food distribution hours are between 10 am – 2 pm, Wednesday – Saturday. Hot lunches are provided from 2:30 – 3:30 pm, Monday – Friday. “Brown Bag” distribution is 4 – 5 pm on weekends. They’ve also added a seniors-only (age 60+) food distribution on Mondays from 10 am – 2 pm. Email NYCPServices@nycommonpantry.
11. Are there seniors in your family? They are eligible for free meals. Seniors can now request meal delivery via their local senior centers (find the nearest one by calling 311). LiveOn New York to helps enroll seniors directly in the meal delivery program. Seniors are receiving nine meals with each delivery, every three days.
12. All families with children in public schools should have received $420 in cash or EBT card aid in a new federal program. This program has no impact on “public charge” status for non-citizen households: https://otda.ny.gov/SNAP-COVID-19/Frequently-Asked-Questions-Pandemic-EBT.asp
13. Click here for the Wellness Program Finder at the Laurie M. Tisch Center for Food, Education & Policy Teachers College