NY fast-tracks $30M as federal SNAP benefits won’t be paid on Nov. 1

ALBANY, New York (WWNY) – The state is fast-tracking $30 million in emergency food aid to help New Yorkers who receive SNAP benefits.

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits will not be paid on November 1 due to the federal government shutdown.

Governor Kathy Hochul announced on Monday that $30 million in state funds will be used to support more than 16 million meals.

This is in addition to the $11 million in emergency food aid that was announced last week.

“I am committed to ensuring New Yorkers do not go hungry this holiday season,” Hochul said.

The governor also launched a new website where New Yorkers can share their personal stories about the effects of the shutdown and federal cuts.

She said nearly 3 million people in the state could lose their food assistance in November.

The shutdown, which began on October 1, is now the second-longest on record.

The Trump administration said it would not tap roughly $5 billion in contingency funds to keep SNAP benefits flowing into November.

This would mark the first time in U.S. history that a federal administration has halted food assistance during a government shutdown.