As millions of New Yorkers prepare to miss out on their Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits in November, many may turn to food banks for help.
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.
Here’s how to find food banks in New York.
What is SNAP?
As millions of New Yorkers prepare to miss out on their Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits in November, many may turn to food banks for help.
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.
Why is the USDA freezing SNAP funding?
It’s due to the government shutdown, which is currently the second longest in history.
“Bottom line, the well has run dry,” a message on the USDA’s website 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.”
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.
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.”
Although a since removed shutdown contingency plan on the agency’s website stated the money could be used to pay benefits directly, according to another 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.”
According to Gov. Kathy 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.
What to know: SNAP benefits for millions in NY at risk amid federal shutdown
How to find food banks in New York
Those who typically rely on SNAP benefits can use food banks and other subsidized meal programs. Here are the 10 food banks in New York state and the counties they cover:
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Foodlink, Inc.: Orleans, Genesee, Monroe, Wayne, Ontario, Wyoming, Allegany, Livingston, Yates and Seneca counties
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Food Bank of Central New York: St. Lawrence, Jefferson, Lewis, Herkimer, Oswego, Oneida, Onondaga, Cayuga, Madison, Cortland and Chenango counties
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Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York: Franklin, Clinton, Essex, Hamilton, Warren, Washington, Fulton, Saratoga, Schenectady, Montgomery, Otsego, Schoharie, Albany, Rensselaer, Delaware, Greene, Columbia, Ulster, Sullivan, Dutchess, Orange, Putnam and Rockland counties
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City Harvest: Bronx, New York (Manhattan), Kings (Brooklyn), Queens and Richmond (Staten Island) counties
You can also use any leftover money on your EBT card in November as those benefits don’t expire for a full calendar year.
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 Oct. 27 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.
Hochul says New York state residents who use SNAP will be notified of any official updates regarding their November benefits’ status by Nov. 1.
New York Attorney General Letitia James also announced a lawsuit with 24 other state leaders and the District of Columbia on Oct. 28 against the USDA for “unlawfully suspending Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits during the ongoing federal government shutdown.”
The lawsuit states the agency has to provide benefits as long as it has funding, which the coalition of Attorneys General says the USDA has by way of billions of dollars in contingency funds for this specific scenario. James and the other state leaders are asking for immediate intervention by the court to ensure the existing contingency funds are used through the shutdown.
What to know: Government shutdown approaches key deadline for ACA cost hikes, SNAP cutoff in NY
Delivery services offering waved fees and credits in November
Two delivery services are trying to ease the burden on SNAP recipients throughout the month of November if benefits are stopped.
DoorDash customers who have linked their SNAP/EBT card to their profile will receive a $0 delivery and service fee on one order placed at select SNAP-enabled stores in November, including Wegmans, Dollar General, Sprouts, Schnucks, Hy-Vee, Giant Eagle and Ahold Delhaize brands.
You’ll need to use a promo code to redeem the offer but DoorDash says users who have uploaded their SNAP/EBT card as a payment method will automatically see the code in the app while it’s available from Nov. 1 to Nov. 30.
And Gopuff is offering two $25 credits for SNAP-eligible items during the month of November to customers who have a SNAP/EBT card connected to their account or who add their SNAP/EBT card to their account.
To get the credits and free delivery, customers will need to use code SNAPRELIEF1 at checkout between Nov. 1 and Nov. 15 for the first $25 and code SNAPRELIEF2 at checkout between Nov. 16 and Nov. 30 for the second $25.
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 may stop Nov. 1. How to find food banks in New York
