Special Disaster Rules for Accepting SNAP EBT Benefits for Hot Food Purchases

Extension
Due to Hurricane Sandy, and effective immediately, retail food stores licensed by the Food and Nutrition Service to accept SNAP benefits in the following counties may accept SNAP benefits in exchange for HOT foods and foods intended to be consumed on retailer premises:

Bronx, Brooklyn (Kings), Manhattan, Queens, Staten Island (Richmond), Nassau and Suffolk

These special rules are in effect through March 31, 2013

When hot foods in the above counties are purchased with SNAP EBT benefits through March 31, 2013, the purchases are NOT subject to sales tax, as the foods mentioned above are considered SNAP eligible during this period.

We encourage you to continue posting special notice in the store letting SNAP customers know that they can use their SNAP EBT benefits to purchase hot foods and, where practical, may remain on the premises to consume those foods.

If you have any questions, please contact the SNAP Retailer Service Center at 877-823-4369. Thank you for your assistance in aiding those affected by Hurricane Sandy.