Owner/Agents, we highly suggest that you share this information with your tenant population!
Thank you again for your efforts to promote the Governor's expansion of New York's child tax credit, also known as the Empire State Child Credit. This financial support is a key component of our ongoing efforts to put money in New Yorkers’ pockets, make our state the most affordable place to raise a family, and reduce child poverty. Receiving this credit can make a real difference for millions of households across the state.
In support of these same goals, including feeding New York families and preventing hunger, we need you to share information with New Yorkers who receive food assistance via the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) who could lose that valuable assistance due to changes we are required to implement based on Federal law.
- Topline: Last year, President Trump signed H.R.1 into law, imposing more expansive SNAP work requirements on "Able Bodied Adults Without Dependents" also known as ABAWDs who receive SNAP.
- Requirements: Individuals must participate in employment, job search, or education/training for 80 hours per month, or qualifying volunteer activities for about 18 hours per month. If recipients do not show compliance with these work requirements, they will not be able to receive SNAP for more than three months and will lose their benefits.
- Context: New York has been required to and implemented ABAWD work requirements in the past, but it has been several years and H.R.1 significantly expands the number of individuals who are considered ABAWDs and must comply. Under H.R.1, more than 400k households are now subject to the SNAP ABAWD work requirements.
- Timeline: These expanded SNAP requirements went into effect statewide on March 1, 2026, which means the three-month time limit will start to kick in for recipients on June 1, 2026.
- Preparation and Outreach: Ahead of that date, OTDA has been working closely with social services districts to make sure they are prepared to implement these requirements, including screening SNAP applicants and recipients for ABAWD status starting last year. OTDA has also briefed many of you as well as a range of not-for-profit partners, and provided messaging on public portals, on websites, and through a network of providers. The goal of training and outreach is to help SNAP recipients maintain benefits by ensuring we identify and exempt any individuals meeting an exemption, individuals understand how to comply, and the district will help them comply. OTDA is requiring districts to help clients retain SNAP by assisting with their job search, offering a qualifying activity, such as a volunteer opportunity, and more.
To keep as many New Yorkers connected to their SNAP benefits as possible so they can afford food, we’re seeking your help ensuring they are aware of the new requirements, know how to find related resources, and where to get help if they have questions about compliance. Given your direct interactions with New Yorkers who are seeking various services, please think creatively about how to promote the information on ABAWD work requirements that OTDA developed and incorporate these materials into your ongoing communications with New Yorkers. To the extent applicable and where appropriate, please go beyond the OTDA materials by crafting and deploying messaging that is strategically responsive to the needs of the specific clients you serve, such as people with disabilities, people with mental health or substance use challenges, families, seniors, children, renters and tenants, and so on.
OTDA is prepared to support your efforts with their technical expertise. As you develop messaging based on the materials below and incorporating your unique agency perspective, OTDA can review for accuracy. Please reach out to OTDA PIO Director Anthony Farmer at Anthony.Farmer@otda.ny.gov.
Just as OTDA offered materials on the CTC that you could reference or repurpose, OTDA has developed suggested language for posting about and promoting SNAP ABAWD work requirement information, including directing New Yorkers to their dedicated ABAWD landing page. Please find below and linked here samples of text, as well as images/graphics, that could be used on your websites or social media posts:
- If you receive SNAP, you may be subject to new Federal work requirements. Check if you are affected and make sure you don't lose your benefits: otda.ny.gov/abawd
- Your SNAP benefits may be impacted by new Federal SNAP rules. Find out if you’re impacted and what steps to take to keep your SNAP benefits at: otda.ny.gov/abawd
- If you receive SNAP, you could lose your SNAP benefits if you do not comply with recently expanded Federal SNAP rules. Learn more about the new rules and how keep your SNAP benefits at: otda.ny.gov/abawd
- If you receive SNAP, you may be subject to new Federal work requirements that could impact your SNAP benefits. You can meet the work requirements and keep your SNAP benefits if you:
- Earn at least $943 a month, or $217.50 per week
- Do community service or volunteer work
- Learn skills to help you get a job
- Review the requirements to ensure you keep your SNAP benefits: otda.ny.gov/abawd
- If you receive SNAP, you may be subject to recently expanded Federal work requirements. See how you can keep your SNAP benefits. Learn more: otda.ny.gov/abawd
Additional reference materials are available at otda.ny.gov/ABAWD:
- Keep Your SNAP Benefits Fact Sheet - This flyer helps SNAP recipients and organizations that work with them. It raises awareness and promotes compliance with ABAWD work rules.
- Keep Your SNAP Benefits — American Sign Language (ASL) video on new work rules for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits.
- You are an ABAWD. Now What? — This flyer helps SNAP recipients understand what they need to do to keep their SNAP benefits. It tells them how to claim an exemption and how to meet the work rules.
- Helping ABAWDs Can Help Your Community Organization Fact Sheet — This flyer helps community organizations learn about the ABAWD time limit and how they can help SNAP recipients meet the ABAWD work rules.