SNAP Cuts Could Leave 300,000 New Yorkers Facing Hunger

Republicans' 'Big Beautiful Bill' will prove to be very ugly for New York families. Republicans have told us from the start they planned to cut aid for New York working families to give billionaires tax cuts, and they plan on making good on their promise. Governor Kathy Hochul recently spoke about how many New York families may experience hunger should the budget bill pass. Unfortunately, working New Yorkers who receive this lifeline are quite possibly going to face hunger soon. What's sad is that a certain group of people thinks that working families, especially those with children, would not receive a helping hand.

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) helps 2.8 million New Yorkers, including 851,000 children, put food on the table. SNAP is our nation’s most powerful anti-hunger program. It improves food security, reduces poverty, and leads to better health outcomes, especially among children.

According to a report by the New York State Comptroller's Office in 2023, approximately one in ten New York households experienced food insecurity between 2019 and 2021.

KEEP READING: 1.5 Million New Yorkers Set To Lose Health Care

Can Illegal Immigrants Get SNAP?

When it comes to illegal immigrants in New York, contrary to popular belief, they cannot receive SNAP benefits. SNAP is a federally funded program administered by states. According to the SNAP benefits website, only immigrants who are in New York lawfully can receive SNAP benefits, not undocumented immigrants.

"Only U.S. citizens and certain lawfully present non-citizens may receive SNAP benefits. SNAP is not and has never been available to undocumented non-citizens."

The following legally present non-citizens are eligible for SNAP benefits with no waiting period:

- Refugees
- Individuals granted asylum
- Victims of severe trafficking
- Deportation withheld
- Amerasians
- Cuban and Haitian entrants
- Iraqi and Afghan special immigrants (SIV)
- Certain American Indians born abroad
- Hmong or Highland Laotian tribal members
- Compacts of Free Association (COFA) citizens of the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Republic of Palau

The following legally-present non-citizens are eligible for SNAP benefits after a five-year waiting period:

- Lawful permanent residents (LPR) or Green Card holders
- Those granted parole for a period of at least one year
- Conditional entrants
- Battered non-citizens

300,000 New Yorkers Will Lose SNAP Benefits

KEEP READING: Some New Yorkers Can Now Get More SNAP Benefits

Contrary to what many people believe, SNAP is not a handout. It helps feed mainly children, the elderly, or disabled people in New York State. It also helps to boost local economies, according to research by the federal government,

"USDA research shows that investments in SNAP generate $1.54 in economic activity for every dollar spent by recipients, including at grocery stores, farmers markets, and small businesses. In New York alone, $7.4 billion in SNAP benefits annually generate $11.5 billion in economic activity across the State."

Per SILive.com, around 300,000 New Yorker will lose some or all of their monthly benefits when the Republicans' big beautiful bill passes. The average household is estimated to lose $220 in benefits each month.

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