Almost three million New Yorkers could be without federally-provided food assistance starting Nov. 1, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced on Oct. 27.
The potential pause is part of a broader, nationwide funding lapse as a message at the top of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s website states no Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits will be issued on Nov. 1 due to the ongoing government shutdown.
“Bottom line, the well has run dry,” the USDA’s message says. “We are approaching an inflection point for Senate Democrats. They can continue to hold out for healthcare for illegal aliens and gender mutilation procedures or repoen the government so mothers, babies, and the most vulnerable among us can receive critical nutrition assistance.”
According to Hochul, if SNAP benefits are halted, it would be the first time a federal administration has stopped food assistance during a government shutdown in U.S. history.
Here’s what to know.
What is SNAP?
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) (L), accompanied by Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) (R), points to a poster depicting rising medical costs if Congress allows the Affordable Care Act tax credits to expire in December.
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, is a federal program that provides low-income families monthly benefits in order to afford healthy food. Over 40 million Americans rely on these benefits, including nearly three million New Yorkers.
According to a letter shared with USA TODAY, the USDA says contingency funds are available only “to supplement regular monthly benefits when amounts have been appropriated for, but are insufficient to cover, benefits.” However, a since removed shutdown contingency plan on the agency’s website stated the money could be used to pay benefits directly.
The USDA warned Americans of a potential funding lapse earlier this month in an Oct. 10 letter to state agencies that also instructed states to pause sending monthly data about eligible households’ SNAP benefits to its EBT vendor “until further notice.”
How is New York helping its residents with food access?
States aren’t able to pay for SNAP payments and be reimbursed, according to the USDA.
However, Hochul announced on Monday the state is fast-tracking $30 million in state funds to support over 16 million meals in response to the possible pause of SNAP benefits, which is in addition to the over $11 million the state allocated last week to support local emergency food relief.
“I am doing everything in my power to soften the blow of the destruction Republicans in Washington are inflicting on our state,” Hochul said Monday. “While I’ve said repeatedly that no state can backfill these devastating cuts, I am committed to ensuring New Yorkers do not go hungry this holiday season and I am taking action to support the families suffering the consequences of Republicans’ cruelty.”
What to know: Government shutdown approaches key deadline for ACA cost hikes, SNAP cutoff in NY
What to know about the government shutdown
The government shutdown is in its 27th day as Republicans are pushing to extend current funding levels to Nov. 21 through a stopgap solution, while Democrats are fighting for changes to healthcare access and subsidies, including additional healthcare funding, to overturn previously approved cuts in Medicaid funding and to extend tax credits for the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare.
It’s now the second longest shutdown in history, and risks becoming the longest if it lasts until Election Day on Nov. 4. The longest shutdown ever lasted 35 days, from December 2018 to January 2019, during Trump’s first term.
What New York Senators are saying about possible SNAP stoppage
U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand is continuing to point fingers at Republicans’ role in the government shutdown.
“This is yet another example of the Trump administration using everyday Americans as political pawns. They are comfortable with sending $20 billion to bail out Argentina, but they make excuses when it comes to American families,” Gillibrand said in a written statement Monday. “No person should go hungry due to Republicans’ lack of leadership, and I am doing everything I can to ensure that no New Yorker — or American — goes hungry.”
And while Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer hasn’t immediately responded to a USA TODAY Network request for comment, he’s been vocal about how the shutdown is affecting New Yorkers.
“New Yorkers are staring down the barrel of a healthcare crisis that could upend the lives of millions of families across America,” Schumer said in an Oct. 23 press release. “We need to fix it now, otherwise New York’s seniors, small business owners, and families will be paying the price … Enough is enough. New York House Republicans need to stand up to Trump and stand up for their constituents who face massive healthcare spikes, end this Republican shutdown, and extend vital ACA tax credits before premiums double. For thousands of hardworking New Yorkers, it’s not just a question of bankruptcy, but survival.”
New York Republican Party chair Ed Cox says Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries are “playing politics with people’s food.”
“Their reckless decision to block a clean funding bill has left 42 million Americans — including children, seniors, and working families — at risk of losing their November food benefits, just in time for Thanksgiving,” Cox said in a written statement on Oct. 27. “It’s heartless, it’s irresponsible, and it’s exactly what we’ve come to expect from New York’s radical Democratic delegation.”
See the numbers: Donald Trump’s approval rating in NY lags behind other states
What to do if you receive SNAP benefits
Hochul says New York state residents who use SNAP will be notified of any official updates regarding their November benefits’ status by Nov. 1.
Those who typically rely on SNAP benefits can use food banks and other subsidized meal programs. To find your closest food bank, visit Feeding America’s food bank locator at feedingamerica.org/find-your-local-foodbank and enter your ZIP code.
You can also use any leftover money on your EBT card in November as those benefits don’t expire for a full calendar year.
Contributing: USA TODAY
Emily Barnes reports on consumer-related issues for the USA TODAY Network’s New York Connect Team, focusing on scam and recall-related topics. Follow her on X and Instagram @byemilybarnes. Get in touch at [email protected].
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: SNAP benefits for millions in NY at risk amid federal shutdown
