Basic Needs Resources

Virtual Food Pantry

The virtual food pantry at SUNY Empire aims to provide a once per term, immediate food supply to students experiencing food insecurity, and to establish connections with area food pantries for ongoing assistance.

To access food assistance, students must complete the Virtual Food Pantry Application. 

If you are approved, a staff member will reach out to you with further instructions.

 

SNAP

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) issues electronic benefits that can be used like cash to purchase food. SNAP helps low-income working people, senior citizens, the disabled and others feed their families. New York City residents must apply through Access HRA.

 

 

SUNY Empire recognizes that our students have temporary setbacks or face emergencies that can halt their educational goals. Students may apply for a one-time emergency grant if they meet the following criteria:

• Currently enrolled in at least one credit and matriculated in a SUNY Empire degree program.
• Demonstrate immediate financial need (supplemental material proving need recommended)
• Have not exhausted available financial aid grants
• Have not received a previous grant from the emergency student grant fund

Grants cannot exceed $250 per student and must be used for one or more of the following categories:

• Urgent need for food or groceries
• Critical past due partial rent/mortgage payments
• Emergency housing or hotel
• Childcare
• Mental health provider co-pay or sliding scale fee for self
• Needs related to personal safety (domestic violence or similar)
• Transportation (public transportation, fuel, or car repair)
• Critical past due utility payments (electrical, natural gas, or internet)
• Medications and other costs related to emergent medical care

Once the application is submitted, it will be reviewed, and a decision will be made within five business days. Due to limited funds, not all applications will receive funding. These grants do not have to be repaid and will be reviewed on a rolling basis until all funds are exhausted.

• One-Time Basic Needs Grant Request – applicants qualify for a grant once during their time as a student and must reside in the US

Any additional questions can be sent to basicneeds@sunyempire.edu.

 

Single Stop and SUNY Empire have partnered to provide our students with immediate access to basic needs resources. Once on the Single Stop webpage, press  "Let’s Get Started!" to determine what federal, state, and local benefits you may qualify for.

Looking for local resources that may help with housing, food, immigration, transportation, and more? Check out the Single Stop Resource Tool!

 

The SUNY system provides a spectrum of personal financial literacy tools including budgeting, avoiding identity theft and responsible credit card use. You can use Smart Track Financial Wellness and Literacy Tools including CashCourse which offers a self-paced course to learn more about your earnings, spending, and borrowing.

 

24/7 Virtual Mental Health & Medical Care With TimelyCare

Empire State University provides students free, secure, virtual mental health
and medical care through TimelyCare, the most trusted virtual health and well-being solution for learning communities.

Log in anytime here!  


What resources are available through TimelyCare?

• MedicalNow: On-demand support for common health issues, including cold, flu, and allergies.

• TalkNow: 24/7, on-demand emotional support to talk about anything, including anxiety, relationships, depression, and school-related stressors.

• Scheduled Medical: Choose the day, time, and medical provider that best works for you.

• Scheduled Counseling: Choose the day, time, and mental health provider that works best for you (up to 12 visits per year).

• Health Coaching: Develop healthy lifestyle behaviors for nutrition, sleep habits, time management, and mindfulness.

• Self-Care Content: Visit the Self-Care tab within TimelyCare for guided self-care content.

• Peer Community: An anonymous and judgment-free space where you can connect with, react to, and support other students going through similar situations.