What The New York State Of Emergency Means For SNAP Recipients

Governor Kathy Hochul has declared a state of emergency in New York. As the current federal government shutdown trudges on with no end in sight, it is putting vulnerable New Yorkers at risk. Now, on day 36, the shutdown is officially the longest in the history of the United States. The second longest was 35 days in 2019, also under Trump, who infamously once said, “If there is a shutdown, I think it would be a tremendously negative mark on the president of the United States.”

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With Republicans controlling all three branches of government, all we can hope for is that they step up and be leaders in negotiating with Democrats to reopen the government and stop the bleeding. The blame game is getting old and tired. Republicans, who have control, should be the "adult in the room" and jumpstart talks to end this fiasco. New York State's Attorney General sued the federal government to ensure that children, the elderly, and the disabled are not punished due to political games. More than 42 million Americans are suffering due to the federal government's inability to govern. NY AG Letitia James is part of a 24-state coalition that sued and won against the Trump administration. Two federal judges ruled that the federal government must fund SNAP, even though the government is shut down. The Republican-run USDA has access to billions of dollars in emergency funds designated to keep SNAP flowing, even during shutdowns.

Gov. Kathy Hochul Steps In To Ensure New York Families Are Fed

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - OCTOBER 30: New York Gov. Kathy Hochul helps to package food before a press conference at New York Common Pantry on October 30, 2025 in New York City. Gov. Hochul was joined by members of local government, clergy, and business owners as she declared a â€œfood emergencyâ€ in New York, allowing for extra emergency funds and personnel to be deployed as SNAP payments will be suspended nationwide starting in November due to the government shutdown. The emergency declaration will bring in an additional $65 million in emergency food funding and will allow CUNY and SUNY students to be deployed across the state to help with food distribution. The governor had previously announced that the state will have $40 million in emergency food aid. (Photo by Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)

Trump says that his administration will only partially fund SNAP benefits for November, which is particularly problematic with Thanksgiving on the way. Many families were already struggling due to the sky-high cost of groceries. According to the GOP-run U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics,

"The index for food at home rose 2.7 percent over the 12 months ending in September, as it did over the 12 months ending in August. The meats, poultry, fish, and eggs index rose 5.2 percent over the last 12 months. The index for nonalcoholic beverages increased 5.3 percent over the same period and the index for other food at home rose 1.9 percent."

So much for grocery prices coming down.

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Thanks to Gov. Hochul, there is a $65 million fund available to help feed nearly 3 million New Yorkers who still have not received their partial SNAP benefit payments. The funds will help provide 40 million meals to New Yorkers in need. Gov. Hochul said,

“The Trump Administration is cutting food assistance off for three million New Yorkers, leaving our state to face an unprecedented public health crisis and hurting our grocers, bodegas and farmers along the way. Unlike Washington Republicans, I won’t sit idly by as families struggle to put food on the table. Today, I’m declaring a state of emergency and am committing additional state funds for emergency food assistance to ensure New Yorkers don’t go hungry. Donald Trump and Republicans in Congress have the power to stop this crisis — millions of families depend on it.”

The Gov. also launched a new website with resources for New Yorkers who are struggling due to the SNAP benefits delay. Thankfully, for those who rely on SNAP in New York, we have leadership that is not playing games with people's lives!