STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — More than 22,000 Staten Island households could lose access to crucial food assistance benefits starting next month due to the ongoing federal government shutdown, but some neighborhoods will see their residents suffer far worse than others.
Earlier this month, the federal government directed states to withhold issuing SNAP benefits for the month of November unless the government shutdown has been resolved.
The Advance/SILive.com analyzed data from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2023 American Community Survey 5-year estimates to determine which Staten Island neighborhoods would be most severely impacted if SNAP benefits are not issued in November.
The 10304 ZIP code, which covers Clifton, Concord, Emerson Hill, Stapleton and parts of Todt Hill and Dongan Hills, would be hit hardest, with 3,978 households, representing 25% of all households in the ZIP code, receiving SNAP benefits.
The 10307 ZIP code, which covers Tottenville, would see the least impact, with 227 households, representing 4.4% of all households in the ZIP code, receiving SNAP benefits.
Here’s a look at how many households could potentially lose their SNAP benefits come Nov. 1 in each Staten Island ZIP code.
10301 (St. George, Tompkinsville, New Brighton, Grymes Hill, Sunnyside, Randall Manor and part of Livingston)
2,718 households receiving SNAP benefits18.8%
10302 (Port Richmond and Elm Park)
1,128 households receiving SNAP benefits18.3%
10303 (Mariners Harbor)
1,933 households receiving SNAP benefits22.1%
10304 (Clifton, Concord, Emerson Hill, Stapleton and parts of Todt Hill and Dongan Hills)
3,978 households receiving SNAP benefits25%
10305 (Arrochar, Fort Wadsworth, Grasmere, Ocean Breeze, Rosebank, Shore Acres, South Beach and part of Dongan Hills)
2,202 households receiving SNAP benefits14.1%
10306 (Egbertville, Grant City, Midland Beach, New Dorp, New Dorp Beach, Oakwood, Richmond and part of Dongan Hills)
2,617 households receiving SNAP benefits13.2%
10307 (Tottenville)
227 households receiving SNAP benefits4.4%
10308 (Great Kills and Bay Terrace)
482 households receiving SNAP benefits4.7%
10309 (Pleasant Plains, Richmond Valley, Prince’s Bay, Charleston, Rossville and Woodrow)
1,099 households receiving SNAP benefits9.1%
10310 (West Brighton and part of Livingston)
1,636 households receiving SNAP benefits18.2%
10312 (Annadale, Arden Heights, Eltingville, Greenridge and Huguenot)
1,199 households receiving SNAP benefits5.6%
10314 (Bulls Head, Castleton Corners, Graniteville, Meiers Corners, New Springville, Travis, Westerleigh and Willowbrook)
2,847 households receiving SNAP benefits9.1%More on SNAP funding
Nearly three million New York residents who receive SNAP benefits, including 121,536 in Congressional District 11, which covers Staten Island, could lose access to them beginning Nov. 1.
Gov. Kathy Hochul announced Monday that she is fast-tracking $30 million in state funds to support more than 16 million meals, with the governor noting this would be the first time in U.S. history that a federal administration has halted food assistance during a government shutdown.
“I am doing everything in my power to soften the blow of the destruction Republicans in Washington are inflicting on our state,” Hochul said. “While I’ve said repeatedly that no state can backfill these devastating cuts, I am committed to ensuring New Yorkers do not go hungry this holiday season and am taking action to support the families suffering the consequences of Republicans’ cruelty.”
While Hochul and other Democrats continue to criticize the Trump administration’s refusal to release federal funding to maintain SNAP benefits during the shutdown, Republicans are blaming Democrats for allowing the shutdown to continue.
Earlier this month, Rep. Nicole Malliotakis called on Senators Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand to deliver the votes necessary to end the government shutdown, which began Oct. 1 after representatives were unable to reach an agreement while passing a bill to allocate funds.
Republicans proposed a short-term funding bill through Nov. 21, but many Democrats argued that it failed to address critical health care concerns.
Specifically, Democrats are pushing to reverse Medicaid cuts included in President Donald Trump’s summer legislation and to extend tax credits that help millions afford health insurance through the Affordable Care Act marketplaces. Republicans dismissed the demands, estimating the cost to taxpayers would exceed $1 trillion. As of now, both sides remain firm and without compromise.
“There is no reason for this to continue and we call on Senator Schumer to do the right thing, vote for the same bill you voted for four times before, the same bill that you negotiated and you’ve extended three times,” she said.
On Friday, Malliotakis penned a letter to Hochul urging her to call on Schumer and Gillibrand to help put an end to the shutdown before SNAP benefits are impacted later this week.
“Starting November 1st, low-income, elderly, and disabled SNAP recipients could begin to go without food assistance as a result of Senate Democrats’ decision to shut the government down. These benefits are not abstract figures, they represent families striving to make ends meet, children who rely on consistent access to healthy food, and seniors who would otherwise face hunger,” wrote Malliotakis, a Republican who represents Staten Island and parts of South Brooklyn.
“We respectfully urge you to use your voice and leadership to encourage Senators Schumer and Gillibrand to support a clean continuing resolution that keeps the federal government funded at existing levels. Doing so will ensure that programs, like SNAP and WIC, continue uninterrupted, protecting New York’s most vulnerable residents and preventing needless hardship for families who can least afford it,” she continued.
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