New York Gov. Kathy Hochul directed state agencies to issue full federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits for November, she announced Friday.
As the federal government shutdown continues and a lack of clarity on federal distribution among a legal battle, the governor said the first New Yorkers can expect to begin having access to their benefits on Sunday.
“Let me be clear, President Trump is hellbent on preventing millions of Americans from putting food on the table. He’s made decision after decision to withhold funding that feeds families, seniors and children — and continues doubling down on this cruelty by challenging the courts’ clear orders,” Hochul said in a statement. “It’s senseless and un-American and I’m working tirelessly to bring this uncertainty to an end for the nearly three million New Yorkers who rely on this program.”
This comes as the Trump administration is asking an appeals court for an emergency order to block a ruling that the federal government fully fund SNAP benefits for November by Friday. The federal government had said it would use $4.65 billion in emergency funding. However, the cost to fully fund SNAP benefits for the roughly 42 million Americans who receive them is estimated at about $8 billion.
Nearly 3 million New Yorkers use the program. Hochul declared a state of emergency a week ago with an infusion of $65 million in state funds to confront the issue.
The government shutdown — the longest in U.S. history — was in its 38th day Friday.