Basic Needs Resources
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.
Need help apply or recertifying for SNAP benefits? Email basicneeds@sunyempire.edu and request a meeting with our SNAP Coordinator.
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.
We currently have two open basic needs grants:
- ESL Foundation Basic Needs Grant – Students must reside in New York's Monroe, Genesee, Livingston, Ontario, Orleans, and Wayne Counties.
- One-Time Basic Needs Grant Request – No location requirements, but students may only be awarded once at SUNY Empire State University.
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.
We have partnered with TELUS Health Student Support for all mental wellness services at SUNY Empire. Your health and wellness fee pays for these services; all calls, chats, and conversations are confidential. So don’t hesitate to reach out today!
For Immediate Support:
Call: 1-866-743-7732
Visit: https://studentsupport.telushealth.com/ca/home
Support when you need it the most!
TELUS Health Student Support connects you to credentialed, Masters-level counselors
to help you successfully navigate cultural, physical, and mental health challenges.
You can receive the help you need in your own native language and cultural context,
whether they’re at home, at one of our locations, or abroad.
Available when you need it!
Short-term counseling options are available all day, every day, to provide you with access to qualified counselors in the early morning before work, during your lunch break, or after you have settled the kids in for the evening. Any options, any time, and services available at your fingertips!
- Telephone support 24/7: Speak to an experienced counselor with a simple phone call
- Real-time chat support 24/7: Chat with an experienced counselor on the web or the app at your convenience.
- Short-Term Appointments: Schedule an appointment-based support to connect with the same counselor over multiple sessions via telephone or video appointments (limited to 5 sessions total).
And a whole lot more…
- Health assessments: Complete an anonymous assessment to get feedback on your mental health
- Browse health & wellbeing content: Access articles, podcasts, infographics, and videos on the app addressing a wide variety of wellbeing topics
- Access virtual fitness sessions: Free virtual fitness sessions available through LIFT
- Resource Referral: Free resource referrals to community specialists
