Hochul declares state of emergency amid SNAP shutdown
New York Governor Kathy Hochul declared a state of emergency today and announced new actions in response to the federal administration’s decision to halt food assistance for three million New Yorkers starting Nov. 1. FOX 5 NY’s Hayley Fixler breaks it down.
NEW YORK – New York Governor Kathy Hochul declared a state of emergency today and announced new actions in response to the federal administration’s decision to halt food assistance for three million New Yorkers starting Nov. 1.
“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.”
— New York Governor Kathy Hochul
What we know:
As the federal government shutdown continues, Hochul claims President Donald Trump has refused to release billions of dollars in contingency funding that would help states manage the crisis.
Without that money, millions of New Yorkers could lose the food assistance they depend on to feed their families.
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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. (Photo by Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)
To help offset the shortfall, Hochul announced $65 million in new state funding for emergency food assistance. The money will reinforce New York’s network of food banks and pantries, providing about 40 million meals to New Yorkers in need.
The state will also deploy Empire State Service Corps and SUNY Corps members to support local food banks during this emergency period and continue exploring ways to use schools as food distribution hubs.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – OCTOBER 30: People wait for the start of food distribution at New York Common Pantry on October 30, 2025 in New York City. (Photo by Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) provides electronic benefits that can be used like cash to buy food. The program helps low-income workers, seniors, people with disabilities, and families afford groceries.
You can buy:
Breads and cerealsFruits and vegetablesMeat, fish, and poultryDairy products
You can’t buy:
Alcohol, cigarettes, or tobaccoPet food or household itemsVitamins or medicineFood eaten in stores or hot foods
SNAP benefits are federally funded, with New York administering about $650 million per month to nearly three million residents. Hochul and other governors have repeatedly stressed that no state can replace or fully fund SNAP on its own.
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NEW YORK, NEW YORK – OCTOBER 30: New York Gov. Kathy Hochul speaks during a press conference at New York Common Pantry on October 30, 2025 in New York City. The governor had previously announced that the state will have $40 million in emergency food
New York joined 24 other states in suing the Trump administration on Tuesday to demand the release of emergency SNAP funds. Hochul also co-signed a letter with 20 governors urging the administration to reverse course and release the money immediately.
Earlier this week, Hochul fast-tracked $41 million in state funds for emergency food assistance. With today’s announcement, the total amount of state funding dedicated to fighting food insecurity now stands at $106 million.
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Community Food Connection (CFC), formerly known as the Emergency Food Assistance Program (EFAP), funds more than 700 food pantries and community kitchens across New York City.
If you need food today, visit a local pantry for groceries or a community kitchen for a hot meal.
You can:
Apply for SNAP benefits at ACCESS HRAor visit the SNAP information page.
Find an active food pantry using the Food Help NYC Map.
Download a full list of NYC Food Pantries and Community Kitchens.
Call 311 any time for assistance agents are available 24/7.
The Source: This report is based on information from Gov. Hochul and SNAP.Â