New York state households that receive support from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program will receive the maximum benefit this month, Gov. Kathy Hochul this week announced. 

The money will translate to a $234 million infusion into the state economy and provide support for families as inflation has pumped up costs for households. 

"These temporary additional food benefits have helped hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers avoid food insecurity at a time when so many are struggling with household budgets that have been stretched thin," Hochul said. "This assistance has helped New York's recovery from the pandemic by helping families and individuals put healthy, nutritious food on the table -- providing much needed relief to New Yorkers." 

All households are set to receive a monthly supplementary payment of at least $95. 

The emergency benefits began in April 2020 to SNAP households that have received less than the maximum benefit amount. New York's emergency declaration for the COVID-19 pandemic ended in June 2021, but state officials have secured an additional benefit from the federal government through at least February. 

More than 1.6 million households rely on SNAP benefits in New York.