Mayor Adams has expanded benefits for low-income New Yorkers.

The Adams administration has completed the processing of incomplete applications for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and cash assistance, providing quick and easy access to federal benefits for eligible low-income New Yorkers. Mayor Eric Adams of New York City and Department of Social Services (DSS) Commissioner Molly Park announced these developments in a statement on Monday, March 4.

During the past summer, more than 46,000 cash assistance applications and over 4,000 SNAP applications were pending processing. Due to investments in staffing, technology, and process improvement by the Adams administration, the backlog has been reduced by 97% and 90%, respectively. At present, the city is processing over six million applications for SNAP and cash assistance. Following the end of federal pandemic-related assistance deadlines, the city faced a record number of applications. To expedite the processing of these applications and facilitate access to necessary benefits for low-income New Yorkers, a robust plan has been implemented.

The Adams administration has hired nearly 1,000 new employees since January 2023 to process cash assistance and SNAP applications. Additionally, they have doubled employee training and improved remote application processes to make access to benefits easier.

Adams stated, “Our administration prioritizes putting New Yorkers in need first and ensuring they have full access to timely opportunities and benefits. A fair and equitable New York City will work better for everyone. Our administration is committed to every resident and will continue to deliver on our promises.”

Commissioner Park of DSS added, “We have reached a record number of New Yorkers today, and the Adams administration has made significant progress in strengthening access to benefits for low-income New Yorkers. We have deployed all agency resources and made significant efforts to process a considerably higher number of applications within a short period of time. Technological advancements, investment in staffing, and procedural changes have paved the way to reduce processing delays for DSS cash assistance and SNAP benefits. However, the agency remains prepared to manage previously unheard-of caseloads in the future.”

The Adams administration has made significant progress in strengthening access to necessary benefits for low-income New Yorkers. More than 510,000 New Yorkers now have access to cash assistance, and over 1.7 million New Yorkers receive SNAP benefits. The city has extended SNAP access for those facing food insecurity.

The Adams administration has simplified the application process at every stage to make it easier for New Yorkers to access benefits. Over 90% of New Yorkers who apply for benefits are now able to do so online as a result of this investment. Additionally, for those New Yorkers who prefer to apply in-person, DSS has established a vast network of Benefit Access Centers and SNAP Centers. DSS maintains close communication with the agencies of all five boroughs to provide outreach and assistance to applicants.

Shams Dabaran, known as the ‘housing hero’ and an advocate for housing and homelessness, said, “My journey from homelessness to becoming an advocate for housing and social justice has demonstrated the strength of my community’s support and resilience.”

Mayor Eric Adams and Commissioner Molly Park have been inspired by significant efforts to address the challenges of the Cash Assistance and SNAP applications. They said, “We have been personally impacted by SNAP and cash assistance during difficult times. We understand that these services will be enhanced by nearly 1,000 new employees supported by the administration. And significant technological progress has enhanced access to benefits for 510,000 cash assistance recipients and over 1.7 million SNAP recipients. This milestone is more than just administrative success.”