{"id":648,"date":"2025-10-31T20:43:04","date_gmt":"2025-10-31T20:43:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/council.nyc.gov\/amanda-farias\/?page_id=648"},"modified":"2025-10-31T20:43:04","modified_gmt":"2025-10-31T20:43:04","slug":"snap-benefits-disruption-city-council-resources-and-support-for-new-yorkers","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/council.nyc.gov\/amanda-farias\/snap-benefits-disruption-city-council-resources-and-support-for-new-yorkers\/","title":{"rendered":"SNAP Benefits Disruption: City Council Resources and Support for New Yorkers"},"content":{"rendered":"<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\" \/>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Overview<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Beginning <strong>November 1, 2025<\/strong>, over <strong>1.7 million New Yorkers<\/strong> are at risk of losing access to federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits due to the ongoing federal government shutdown and the Trump Administration\u2019s refusal to deploy emergency SNAP funding.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The New York City Council is closely monitoring this crisis and coordinating with partners across all five boroughs to protect access to food and ensure no New Yorker is left behind.<\/p>\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\" \/>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>What\u2019s Happening Federally<\/strong><\/h3>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has halted food shipments under the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.fns.usda.gov\/tefap\/emergency-food-assistance-program\"><strong>Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP)<\/strong><\/a> and suspended emergency SNAP funding.<\/li>\n<li>This decision contradicts earlier guidance showing that contingency funds were available to prevent these cuts.<\/li>\n<li>Because SNAP is entirely federally funded, <strong>states and cities cannot replace these dollars<\/strong>\u2014meaning families who lose access will feel the effects immediately.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\" \/>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>What New York State Is Doing<\/strong><\/h3>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Governor Hochul announced <strong>$30 million in emergency food assistance<\/strong>\u2014enough to provide more than <strong>16 million meals statewide<\/strong>\u2014plus $11 million in prior relief for food banks.<\/li>\n<li>Attorney General Letitia James has joined a <strong>25-state lawsuit<\/strong> against the USDA for withholding approximately <strong>$6 billion<\/strong> in unused contingency funds and violating federal law.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\" \/>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>How the New York City Council Is Responding<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In anticipation of this crisis, this Council has consistently called for full restoration of federal food aid and has <strong>invested in local food access<\/strong> through the FY2026 budget:<\/p>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>$15 million<\/strong> for emergency food programs across all boroughs.<\/li>\n<li><strong>$13 million \u201cFeeding Our Communities\u201d initiative<\/strong> to strengthen pantries and soup kitchens.<\/li>\n<li>Increased <strong>Food Pantries Initiative<\/strong> funding from $8.26M to $10.46M.<\/li>\n<li><strong>$1.4 million<\/strong> for SNAP outreach, eligibility, and recertification assistance.<\/li>\n<li>Expanded <strong>Community Food Connection (CFC)<\/strong> at HRA to <strong>$57 million total<\/strong> to sustain citywide emergency food distribution.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Council has also advanced resolutions to address long-term food insecurity:<\/p>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/legistar.council.nyc.gov\/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6565911&amp;GUID=B9871C93-F9F8-4D0B-B544-DE283E221609&amp;Options=&amp;Search=\"><strong>Res. 0227-2024<\/strong><\/a><strong>:<\/strong> Calls for a renewed federal Farm Bill to increase food aid.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/legistar.council.nyc.gov\/gateway.aspx?m=l&amp;id=\/matter.aspx?key=73328\"><strong>Res. 0057-2024<\/strong><\/a><strong>:<\/strong> Urges New York State to close eligibility gaps for adults over 55.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\" \/>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Local Action: Central Bronx \/ District 18<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In the Central Bronx, where food insecurity and SNAP use are among the highest in the city, the Council is working with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.foodbanknyc.org\/news-and-stories\/what-am-i-going-to-do\/\"><strong>Food Bank for New York City<\/strong><\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cityharvest.org\/food-map\/\"><strong>City Harvest<\/strong> <\/a>to fortify local food networks.<\/p>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Increasing supply to high-SNAP-use neighborhoods.<\/li>\n<li>Mobilizing <strong>Community Response Partners<\/strong> \u2014 trusted high-capacity sites that can quickly expand food distribution in emergencies.<\/li>\n<li>Coordinating additional distributions for <strong>federal workers, seniors, and SNAP recipients<\/strong> impacted by the shutdown.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button is-style-fill\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-midnight-gradient-background has-background wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/maps\/d\/edit?mid=1GSouOpYvNNcipw0o0eqcXm9iNZMt2JY&amp;usp=sharing\"><strong>District 18 Food Map<\/strong><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\" \/>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Where to Find Food Right Now<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you or someone you know needs food assistance, the following resources are available:<\/p>\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"tel:311\"><strong>Call 311<\/strong><\/a> and say \u201cfood assistance.\u201d<\/li>\n<li><strong>Visit:<\/strong><strong><br \/><\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nyc.gov\/site\/hra\/help\/food-assistance.page\">HRA Community Food Connection Directory<br \/><\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nyc.gov\/site\/dycd\/services\/food_pantries.page\">DYCD Food Pantries Borough-Wide Directory<br \/><\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cityharvest.org\/food-map\/?utm_source=google-grant&amp;utm_medium=cpc&amp;utm_campaign=food-assistance&amp;gad_source=1&amp;gad_campaignid=17131258971&amp;gbraid=0AAAAAD9yTaSbd3qMpANwT-HS6ciwHQrZe&amp;gclid=Cj0KCQjwmYzIBhC6ARIsAHA3IkT-J8wE1Z8795831nFRwtGLP5Oa3n-fysjllOctTzEdNUYIXgcBi8caAjAAEALw_wcB\">Food Bank NYC \u201cFind Food\u201d Tool<br \/><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\" \/>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>City Council Food Drive<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Council is organizing a <strong>Citywide Food Drive<\/strong> from <strong>November 3 \u2013 December 12<\/strong> to support pantries and emergency providers.<br \/><strong>Priority items:<\/strong> canned proteins (tuna, beans, chicken), whole grains, nut butters, and shelf-stable milk alternatives.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Drop-Off Locations:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>City Hall (Periwinkle Room)<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/maps\/dir\/\/250+Broadway,+New+York,+NY+10007\/data=!4m7!4m6!1m1!4e2!1m2!1m1!1s0x89c25a18be3bd30b:0xd62585dfd4f3489e!3e0?sa=X&amp;ved=1t:3747&amp;ictx=111\">250 Broadway<\/a>, 7th\u20138th\u201314th\u201315th\u201316th\u201317th\u201318th\u201326th Floors<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Every donation will directly support our network of community partners serving New Yorkers most affected by the shutdown.<\/p>\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\" \/>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>A Message from the Majority Leader<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The New York City Council anticipated the risk of federal interruptions to food assistance programs and acted in advance to protect New Yorkers from their impact. Through proactive planning, we secured significant local funding for emergency food distribution, expanded support for community-based pantries, and strengthened coordination with partners across all five boroughs.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As more than 1.7 million residents face potential disruptions to their federal SNAP benefits, these investments are providing stability where federal inaction has created uncertainty. Our Council remains in continuous communication with the Mayor\u2019s Office of Food Policy, the Human Resources Administration, and organizations such as the Food Bank for New York City to ensure that critical food resources reach those who need them most.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Food is not expendable. It is a basic necessity and a shared responsibility of government at every level. The Council will continue advocating for the full restoration of federal aid and for long-term policy solutions that prevent food insecurity from becoming a recurring crisis.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p><strong>Overview<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Beginning <strong>November 1, 2025<\/strong>, over <strong>1.7 million New Yorkers<\/strong> are at risk of losing access to federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits due to the ongoing federal government shutdown and the Trump Administration\u2019s refusal to deploy emergency SNAP funding.<\/p>\n<p>The New York City Council is closely monitoring this crisis and coordinating with partners across all five boroughs to protect access to food and ensure no New Yorker is left behind.<\/p>\n<p>&#8230;<\/p>\n<p><strong><small><a href=\"https:\/\/council.nyc.gov\/amanda-farias\/snap-benefits-disruption-city-council-resources-and-support-for-new-yorkers\/\">READ MORE<\/a><\/small><\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":338,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-648","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"publishpress_future_action":{"enabled":false,"date":"2026-07-31 16:01:22","action":"change-status","newStatus":"draft","terms":[],"taxonomy":"","extraData":[]},"publishpress_future_workflow_manual_trigger":{"enabledWorkflows":[]},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/council.nyc.gov\/amanda-farias\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/648","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/council.nyc.gov\/amanda-farias\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/council.nyc.gov\/amanda-farias\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/council.nyc.gov\/amanda-farias\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/338"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/council.nyc.gov\/amanda-farias\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=648"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/council.nyc.gov\/amanda-farias\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/648\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/council.nyc.gov\/amanda-farias\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=648"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}