More than 40 million Americans on SNAP benefits will be impacted across the country, prompting Kathy Hochul to declare a state of emergency in New York
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul declared a state of emergency amid the prospect of SNAP benefits running out in the state(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
Gov. Kathy Hochul declared a state of emergency in New York, as Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits are expected to run out nationwide on Saturday amid the ongoing government shutdown.
“The Trump Administration would rather starve children and families than lift a finger to help them put food on the table”, Hochul tweeted, adding that she is declaring a state of emergency to “use every tool we have to help the three million New Yorkers losing food assistance because of the GOP shutdown.”
More than 40 million Americans on SNAP benefits will be impacted.
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“The Trump Administration would rather starve children and families than lift a finger to help them put food on the table,” Hochul tweeted(Image: Logan Newell/The Coloradoan / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
Democrats have repeatedly voted against reopening the government, demanding that Republicans negotiate with them to extend expiring healthcare subsidies. Meanwhile, they have pushed for continued funding for SNAP.
Half of U.S. states have sued the Trump administration over the SNAP benefits freeze, hoping to compel the administration to utilize a roughly $5.5 billion emergency contingency fund to keep the program operational.
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Some states have also confirmed they are using state funds to either keep funding SNAP benefits or to issue help to networks that assist with providing food to needy Americans.
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These include New Mexico, Louisiana, Virginia, New York, New Hampshire, Minnesota, Colorado, and California.
Virginia’s Gov. Glenn Youngkin has said SNAP benefits will continue to be paid despite the lack of USDA funding.
“The Commonwealth will provide food benefits until Congressional Democrats put the interests of Virginians in need ahead of their politics,” Youngkin said in a press release issued on Oct. 23.
Louisiana confirmed it will continue paying SNAP benefits using state funds, but only until Nov. 4.
In California, Gov. Gavin Newsom has confirmed the state is fast-tracking $80 million in funds for food banks.
Colorado Gov. Jared Polis confirmed he has requested the state legislature use $10 million from the state’s general fund to support food banks. Minnesota and New Mexico have both confirmed similar plans.
Gov. Hochul has said $30 million in state funds will be used “to support over 16 million meals” for Empire State SNAP recipients.
The USDA has said it will not reimburse states that use their own money to keep SNAP benefits flowing during the shutdown.
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