SI NY01801.101 (New York) Food Stamps - The Agreement Between USDA and HHS

The food stamp (F/S) program is designed to enable people with limited incomes to increase their purchasing power through the use of F/S. The F/S's are used in place of cash to purchase foodstuffs at participating groceries and supermarkets. The program is federally funded and is under the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), and administered by the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) through State/local F/S agencies. The Social Security Administration (SSA) is mandated by law to take F/S applications, in certain situations, to make it easier for SSI applicants and recipients to receive F/S.

SSA will take F/S applications for individuals who reside in "pure" SSI households. A "pure" SSI household consists of only SSI applicants or recipients (POMS SI 01801.060A7). FOs should also take food stamp applications, if applicable, over the telephone when taking SSI teleclaims. The completed forms should then be mailed to the claimant to sign. A return envelope, with the local food stamp office address, should also be enclosed so that the signed form can be mailed directly to the food stamp office. Each State has the option of requesting SSA FOs to take the National F/S application (prepared by FNS) or having the FOs use a State F/S application. New York State has asked that FOs use New York applications; one application for New York City (NYC) and a similar application for the rest of the State. For applicants who reside outside of NYC, the FOs will use the DSS-3035 "Food Stamp Application Statement for SSI Recipients and Group Living Residents". For applicants who reside in NYC, FOs will use the DSS-3035NYC. "Food Stamp Application Statement for SSI Recipients and Group Living Residents" in New York City.