New York Governor Ho Chu declared on October 30th that the entire state has entered a state of “food emergency” due to the ongoing federal government shutdown, which has led to the suspension of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), also known as food stamps, administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture starting from November 1st. The governor’s move aims to utilize additional state resources to prevent about three million New York residents from facing hunger.
Governor Ho Chu announced an additional allocation of $65 million in emergency food assistance funds to support food banks and food relief organizations. This comes as a supplement to the previously announced $40 million, totaling at least $106 million being utilized.
The state government has also activated several contingency measures:
– Urging public schools to package surplus meals for students to take home to support their families.
– Encouraging and assisting families applying for SNAP to continue the eligibility review process and ensure the welfare cards operate smoothly.
– Initiating a federal funding cuts impact platform (ny.gov/federalcuts) to encourage affected families to share their experiences.
Attorney General Jan Lo-hsia, representing New York and 24 other states, has filed a lawsuit against the Department of Agriculture, accusing them of “illegally withholding” SNAP funds during the government shutdown.
The state government has launched a new online resource platform that integrates assistance information and map tools to help New York residents find food assistance resources.
– Find local food banks. Link: https://tinyurl.com/yvpfn22w
– Food pantry mutual aid map. Link: https://tinyurl.com/2ddsuy4w
According to data from the Department of Agriculture and New York state, approximately three million people (around 1.7 million households) in New York rely on SNAP benefits each month, with federal subsidies totaling around $650 million per month.
Due to the federal budget shutdown, the Department of Agriculture has warned that without additional funding, SNAP benefits for November may not be disbursed on time. Ho Chu is urging Congress to end the nearly month-long federal government shutdown as soon as possible to prevent a more severe food crisis nationwide.
The New York state government points out that “no single state can fully make up for the shortfall after federal assistance stops.” However, emergency budget measures have been activated to ensure that vulnerable families do not go without food.
While SNAP benefits for October have been disbursed on time, it remains uncertain whether benefits will be provided in November and when they will be distributed. The state government has pledged to notify affected families through official websites, mobile apps, and SMS messages before November 1st.
If you are a SNAP beneficiary, it is recommended to regularly check your EBT card balance, continue to submit certification materials or other necessary declarations without interruption due to the government shutdown. Be aware of food assistance points and food banks in your area for unexpected needs.
As the Thanksgiving holiday approaches, this crisis is particularly significant for low-income families. If federal funding is not restored in the future, the state government will face even greater financial pressure.