Does receiving food stamps affect my NYS Department of Labor unemployment benefits?
I'm currently receiving unemployment benefits from NYS Department of Labor and I'm thinking about applying for SNAP benefits (food stamps) because my UI payments aren't covering all my expenses. Will getting food stamps affect my unemployment claim in any way? I don't want to mess up my benefits or have to report anything that could cause problems with my weekly claims. Has anyone been on both programs at the same time?
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Mateo Martinez
No, receiving SNAP benefits will not affect your unemployment benefits at all. These are completely separate programs run by different agencies. NYS Department of Labor handles unemployment insurance while DSS handles SNAP. You don't need to report SNAP on your weekly claims and it won't count as income that reduces your UI payments.
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Nia Davis
•Thank you! That's a relief. I was worried it might somehow count against me or that I'd have to choose between the two programs.
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QuantumQueen
yeah i been getting both for like 2 months now, no issues at all with my weekly claims
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Aisha Rahman
Actually you should apply for SNAP if you qualify! The income limits for SNAP when you're getting unemployment are pretty reasonable. Your UI benefits do count as income for SNAP eligibility purposes, but many people still qualify especially if they have dependents or high housing costs.
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Ethan Wilson
•Wait, so unemployment counts as income for food stamps but food stamps don't count as income for unemployment? That seems backwards but okay I guess...
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Aisha Rahman
•Exactly right! Each program has its own rules about what counts as income. For unemployment purposes, only wages and certain other specific income types matter. SNAP benefits are considered assistance, not income.
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Yuki Sato
This is actually pretty common. When I was having trouble getting through to NYS Department of Labor about my weekly claim certification issues, I used a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that helped me get connected to an actual agent. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI that shows how it works. Really helped when I needed to ask about reporting requirements and stuff like this.
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Nia Davis
•Interesting, I've never heard of that service. Did it actually work for getting through to someone at NYS Department of Labor?
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Yuki Sato
•Yeah it did! Way better than sitting on hold for hours or getting the busy signal. They basically handle the calling process for you.
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Carmen Flores
The whole system is so confusing honestly... like why can't they just have one place that tells you how all these programs work together instead of making us guess and worry about messing something up
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Paolo Marino
•I totally agree! It's so frustrating having to piece together information from different sources. I wish there was like a comprehensive guide that explained how unemployment, SNAP, Medicaid, and all these other programs interact with each other. Would save so much stress and confusion for people who are already dealing with job loss.
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Andre Dubois
I applied for both when I first lost my job last year. The SNAP application process was actually faster than waiting for my unemployment adjudication to complete! Just make sure you report your UI income accurately on your SNAP application.
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Nia Davis
•Good point about reporting the unemployment income on the SNAP application. I want to make sure I do everything correctly from the start.
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Nia Thompson
Just wanted to add that you can actually apply for SNAP online through the ACCESS HRA website or myBenefits.ny.gov which makes the process pretty straightforward. When you get to the income section, just include your weekly unemployment benefit amount. The system will calculate everything for you. I found it helpful to have my most recent UI payment stub or screenshot ready when filling out the application. Good luck!
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Nia Thompson
•Thanks for mentioning the online application option! I was wondering about the best way to apply. Having that payment stub ready sounds like a smart tip - I'll make sure to grab a screenshot of my weekly claim confirmation before I start the SNAP application process.
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Sofía Rodríguez
•This is really helpful info! I didn't know about myBenefits.ny.gov - I was thinking I'd have to go to a DSS office in person. The online application sounds way more convenient. Do you know roughly how long it takes to hear back after submitting the application?
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StarSurfer
•From my experience, they usually process SNAP applications within 30 days, but if you're eligible for expedited processing (which you might be if your UI benefits are low enough), you could hear back in as little as 7 days. They'll send you a notice either way. Also, if you get approved, your benefits will be backdated to when you applied, so definitely don't wait if you think you might qualify!
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Sarah Jones
Just to add some reassurance - I've been on both programs simultaneously for about 6 months now and never had any issues. The key thing to remember is that they're administered by completely different agencies with different rules. NYS DOL only cares about work-related income and job search activities for your unemployment benefits. SNAP through DSS has its own income calculations that include your UI benefits, but receiving SNAP won't trigger any flags or issues with your weekly unemployment certifications. Apply with confidence if you need the food assistance!
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