Rachel Silberstein is reporting for the Times Union New York officials have extended the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program to include low-income SUNY, CUNY and EOS students, the elderly and the disabled. Under the expansion announced by Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo October 16, 75,000 college students in New York will now be eligible for the program. The state will also roll out a simplified application process to encourage enrollment among older adults and people with disabilities, part of a comprehensive push by the state to reduce food insecurity, Cuomo said. "From the community college student seeking to advance their career to the senior living on a fixed income, food insecurity and hunger are a reality for a wide breadth of low-income New Yorkers and we have an obligation to help them during their time in need," Cuomo said. Income-eligible students currently enrolled at least half-time at State University of New York and City University of New York may now access the benefits. Plus, income-eligible New Yorkers attending any of the 10 Educational Opportunity Centers in the state state and enrolled at least half-time in a career and technical education program, remedial courses, basic adult education, literacy, or English as a second language will be included in this new policy. These students did not previously qualify for SNAP, unless they were working at least 20 hours a week, caring for a child, or were unable to work. The state is also asking the U.S. Department of Agriculture to provide a simplified application for SNAP benefits to encourage enrollment among eligible elderly or disabled people. Officials believe the length and complexity of the SNAP application may discourage those who may be eligible from applying. So, SNAP anyone on a fixed income or with limited financial resources can now complete a single sheet application instead of the existing nine-page form. Read the full story in the Times Union.