Can I get unemployment and food stamps at the same time in NY?
I just lost my job last week and I'm trying to figure out if I can apply for both unemployment benefits through NYS Department of Labor and food stamps (SNAP) at the same time. I'm a single mom with two kids and really need both right now. Will getting one affect the other? I heard somewhere that unemployment income might make me ineligible for food stamps but I'm not sure if that's true. Has anyone been on both programs simultaneously?
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Fatima Al-Suwaidi
Yes, you can absolutely receive both! Unemployment benefits from NYS Department of Labor count as income for SNAP (food stamps) calculations, but many people still qualify for both programs. The key is that SNAP looks at your total household income and size. With two kids, your income threshold for SNAP is higher. You should apply for both right away - unemployment through my.ny.gov and SNAP through your local Department of Social Services.
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NebulaNinja
•Thank you so much! I was really worried about this. Do I need to report my unemployment payments to the SNAP office?
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Dylan Mitchell
i got both last year when i was laid off. the unemployment money did reduce my food stamp amount but i still got like $180/month for me and my daughter. better than nothing!
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Sofia Morales
Make sure you report any changes in your unemployment status to SNAP immediately. If your NYS Department of Labor claim gets denied or you have weeks where you don't certify, you need to tell SNAP within 10 days. Also, when you start working again, report that too. Not reporting changes can cause overpayment issues with SNAP that you'll have to pay back.
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NebulaNinja
•Good to know about the reporting requirements. I'll make sure to keep track of everything.
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Dmitry Popov
Just a heads up - I had a really hard time getting through to both agencies when I needed help. For unemployment, I couldn't reach anyone at NYS Department of Labor for weeks. Someone on here recommended this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that helps you actually get through to a real person. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI that shows how it works. Saved me so much frustration when I needed to check on my claim status.
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Ava Garcia
•Interesting, never heard of that before. Did it actually work for you?
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Dmitry Popov
•Yeah it did! I was able to talk to someone within a few hours instead of calling for days and getting nowhere.
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StarSailor}
Wait I'm confused - don't you have to be actively looking for work to get unemployment? How does that work with having kids? I thought you had to be available for work immediately.
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Fatima Al-Suwaidi
•You do need to be able and available for work to receive unemployment benefits, but having children doesn't automatically disqualify you. You just need to have childcare arrangements in place or be able to make them when you find work. The job search requirement is 3 work search activities per week in NY.
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Miguel Silva
The system is so confusing honestly. I've been trying to navigate all these different programs and every office tells you something different. At least with food stamps you can apply online now. But yeah definitely apply for both ASAP because both take time to process.
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QuantumQuasar
I went through this exact situation about 6 months ago with my two kids. You can definitely get both - I'm still receiving SNAP even while getting unemployment. The key thing is to be completely honest on your SNAP application about receiving unemployment. They'll calculate your SNAP benefits based on your total household income including the unemployment payments. For a family of 3, you might still qualify for a decent amount even with unemployment income. Also, don't forget to look into WIC if your kids are under 5 - that's separate from SNAP and really helpful for families. The whole process takes a few weeks so definitely get both applications in as soon as possible.
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Zara Mirza
•This is really helpful to hear from someone who's been through the same situation recently! I didn't even think about WIC - my youngest is 3 so that could definitely help too. Thanks for mentioning being honest about the unemployment income on the SNAP application. I was worried they might just automatically deny me if I reported it, but it sounds like they actually factor it in properly. Did you have any issues with the timing of when you started getting the benefits?
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Chloe Zhang
I'm in a similar situation and just wanted to add that the local DSS offices can be really helpful if you can get there in person. I know it's hard with kids but when I applied for SNAP, the caseworker walked me through exactly how my unemployment benefits would affect my food stamp amount. They have calculators that show you right away what you'd qualify for. Also, if you're having trouble with childcare for job searching while on unemployment, some counties have emergency childcare assistance programs that can help bridge the gap. Don't give up if the first application seems overwhelming - there are people there to help you navigate it all.
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