New York City and New Jersey SNAP Recipients Bracing for Potential Benefits Cut-Off Amid Economic Uncertainty.
As November 1st approaches, thousands of low-income families in the two states are bracing themselves for the possibility of their monthly Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits being cut off. According to officials, this would be a first since the program's inception during the Great Depression.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced earlier that it will stop making payments, which could leave many recipients without access to food assistance on time. However, those who received leftover funds from October will be able to use them in November.
Food banks and local organizations are scrambling to prepare for the expected surge in demand. Some have increased their purchases, solicited donations, and are considering adding staff or opening more days of operation. "What we see in a time of crisis is people going into different neighborhoods... Families will dispatch older children to different neighborhoods," said Jilly Stephens, CEO of City Harvest.
New Jersey officials have also pledged support for SNAP recipients, accelerating delivery of grants to food banks and announcing plans for mass distribution events. However, it remains unclear whether the benefits will be restored in November. A group of attorneys general has filed a request with courts to intervene on behalf of SNAP recipients, but the Trump administration claims it cannot use contingency funding to keep the program funded.
As the looming cut-off looms, New Yorkers can donate to local food pantries or support organizations like Food Bank of NYC and City Harvest. Meanwhile, officials are working to provide additional resources for those in need, including an extra $15 million for local food pantries in New York City and Governor Hochul's declaration of a state emergency.
For SNAP recipients who will be most affected by the cut-off, Christine Quinn, CEO of WIN, warned that they face severe strain and stress: "Babies won't have formula. Small children won't have breakfast or lunch... Kids who don't go to school, kids who aren't yet in school or day care won't have breakfast or lunch during the week."
As November 1st approaches, thousands of low-income families in the two states are bracing themselves for the possibility of their monthly Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits being cut off. According to officials, this would be a first since the program's inception during the Great Depression.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced earlier that it will stop making payments, which could leave many recipients without access to food assistance on time. However, those who received leftover funds from October will be able to use them in November.
Food banks and local organizations are scrambling to prepare for the expected surge in demand. Some have increased their purchases, solicited donations, and are considering adding staff or opening more days of operation. "What we see in a time of crisis is people going into different neighborhoods... Families will dispatch older children to different neighborhoods," said Jilly Stephens, CEO of City Harvest.
New Jersey officials have also pledged support for SNAP recipients, accelerating delivery of grants to food banks and announcing plans for mass distribution events. However, it remains unclear whether the benefits will be restored in November. A group of attorneys general has filed a request with courts to intervene on behalf of SNAP recipients, but the Trump administration claims it cannot use contingency funding to keep the program funded.
As the looming cut-off looms, New Yorkers can donate to local food pantries or support organizations like Food Bank of NYC and City Harvest. Meanwhile, officials are working to provide additional resources for those in need, including an extra $15 million for local food pantries in New York City and Governor Hochul's declaration of a state emergency.
For SNAP recipients who will be most affected by the cut-off, Christine Quinn, CEO of WIN, warned that they face severe strain and stress: "Babies won't have formula. Small children won't have breakfast or lunch... Kids who don't go to school, kids who aren't yet in school or day care won't have breakfast or lunch during the week."
This is getting super concerning! Those thousands of low-income families are really gonna get hit hard. I mean, no more monthly SNAP benefits? That's a huge gap for some people. 
Food banks are already scrambling to prepare but it's just not enough. What's the deal with the leftover funds tho? Can't they use those till November? 
We gotta be there for these families who are already struggling so hard. And it's not just about the money – it's about dignity too. Can't imagine how stressful this must be for them. 
!!! Like, I get that economic uncertainty can be super tough, but thousands of families in NYC & NJ are already struggling to make ends meet? It's heartbreaking 
. And now they might NOT have food on the table?! That's just awful 
Some amazing orgs like City Harvest & Food Bank of NYC are doin' their part, but we need more support 
. Can we please donate to local food pantries & organizations that can make a difference in people's lives? 
and some NJ officials are offering support 
. meanwhile, the US gov't says it can't use contingency funding to keep the program funded 
. did you know that food insecurity affects 1 in 8 people in NYC? 
? we need to support these families ASAP, either by donating to local food banks or spreading awareness about the issue 
. We should be helping each other out, especially when we're already struggling. Food banks and organizations are doing their part but it's just not enough 
. What's going on is that some people can't afford groceries no matter what, and this cut-off will just make things worse 
.
Food banks and local orgs are doing their best but it's not enough. We need to come together as a community to support those who are most affected by this crisis.
. The Trump admin's decision to not use contingency funding is just ridiculous. I mean, didn't they learn anything from the Great Depression? 
and it's literally so relatable. Like, I was supposed to be watching that news article about SNAP benefits but my brain keeps wandering back to this adorable feline in a tiny apron... anyway, back to the food banks and stuff... isn't it wild how they're all scrambling to prepare for more people needing help? And I just had an idea for a recipe for breakfast burritos using leftover tortillas from last week 
. And the fact that some organizations are having to scramble to prepare for the expected surge in demand is just heartbreaking 
. Can't we just get some contingency funding or something? 
. And what really gets me is that these families are already struggling so hard just to make ends meet, and then they get hit with this potential cut-off 
. It's like, come on, can't we just figure out a way to keep people from going hungry? Do we really need all these lawyers and politicians fighting over contingency funding 
?
This is so not cool 
! SNAP recipients are already struggling to make ends meet 
, leaving families without access to food and basic necessities 
! These people need help now, not later 
that the courts will step in and save the day 
we need to do better here i'm donating to local food pantries ASAP