Certain Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) funds could be withheld from several Democratic-led states, including New York, as soon as next week, Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins said in a televised Cabinet meeting on Dec. 2.
It’s the latest threat by the Trump administration to hold back SNAP funding as the administration continues its push to receive personal information about the program’s recipients nationwide. The potentially withheld funds would not be the benefits themselves, only the funding sent to states to assist with administrative costs of the program, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) later clarified.
In response to Rollins’ recent comments about withholding SNAP funds, Gov. Kathy Hochul said the following in a Dec. 2 X post: “Genuine question: Why is the Trump Administration so hellbent on people going hungry?”
Here’s what to know.
What is SNAP?
An EBT sign is displayed on the window of a grocery store on October 30, 2025 in the Flatbush neighborhood of the Brooklyn borough in New York City.
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.
SNAP funding was frozen during the historic 43-day federal government shutdown, which was a first for a federal administration. The spending package that ended the shutdown on Nov. 12 restored full funding to the USDA.
Demands for SNAP data previously blocked by federal judge
The request for sensitive data on recipients of SNAP, including immigration status and Social Security numbers, was first issued in February before being challenged in court by 22 states plus Washington, DC. The order was blocked by a California federal judge in October, who temporarily barred the federal government from collecting the information or withholding funds from states that don’t provide it.
The USDA has until Dec. 15 to appeal the decision, though the judge already said the court would not temporarily pause its injunction in the case of an appeal. The USDA declined to answer questions about an appeal or its compliance with the order.
The USDA also told USA TODAY it had formed a “SNAP integrity team” to review the data to end alleged “indiscriminate welfare fraud.” An April 7 report by the U.S. Congressional Research Service described SNAP fraud as “rare,” saying available data and reports show a large number of overpayments can be attributed to unintentional errors.
“We have sent Democrat States yet another request for data, and if they fail to comply, they will be provided with formal warning that USDA will pull their administrative funds,” the USDA said in a statement on Dec. 3.
States challenging the demand have cited privacy concerns, calling it another attempt “to amass enormous troves of personal and private data … to advance goals that have nothing to do with combating waste, fraud, or abuse in federal benefit programs” in the earlier lawsuit.
What you should know: Will NY SNAP recipients have to reapply?
Will I need to reapply for my SNAP benefits in New York?
It’s still unclear.
U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins recently told news outlets all recipients will have to reapply for their benefits in an effort to cut down on “fraud.”
However, in a statement to USA TODAY on Nov. 17, the USDA didn’t say requirements to “reapply” were coming. Instead, the agency said it was using “standard recertification processes for households” as part of “further regulatory work” to ensure “fraud, waste,” and “abuse” are controlled.
And the New York State Office for Disability and Temporary Assistance (OTDA) recently told the USA TODAY Network that they haven’t received any guidance from the USDA about having all SNAP recipients reapply for their benefits.
See if you qualify: 2025 HEAP application window opens in New York
What to know about other recent SNAP changes
The “Big Beautiful Bill” cut an estimated $186 billion from SNAP funding through 2034 and added new restrictions to the program.
Under the expanded rules set by the Republican law, all adults ages 18-64 must work at least 20 hours a week to get food benefits through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, unless they are disabled or qualify for another exemption such as pregnancy. Those who fail to meet that condition will stop getting aid after three months.
The law also extended the rules to a broader range of parents with dependent children. Previously, anyone with a child under age 18 in their care was exempt from the work requirement. Now, only those with children younger than 14 are exempt.
In addition, the law lifted other exceptions that had been put in place in 2023 for veterans, homeless people and people ages 24 and younger who were in foster care when they turned 18.
And New York State Attorney General Letitia James, along with 21 other attorneys general, filed a lawsuit on Nov. 26 to stop the Trump administration from “unlawfully cutting off SNAP benefits for tens of thousands of lawful permanent residents” as a result of new guidance issued through the “Big Beautiful Bill.”
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 ebarnes@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: SNAP funds could be withheld from New York as federal fight escalates
