REACH SNAP RECIPIENTS. OFFICIALS SAY IT WILL TAKE ABOUT A WEEK TO GET THE PROGRAM UP AND RUNNING. IN NEW YORK STATE… MORE THAN 300-THOUSAND HOUSEHOLDS RELY ON SNAP BENEFITS. EARLIER THIS WEEK GOVERNOR KATHY HOCHUL ANNOUNCED HER OFFICE FAST- TRACKED 30-MILLION DOLLARS IN EMERGENCY FOOD ASSISTANCE FUNDING. THAT MONEY WILL SUPPORT AT LEAST 16 MILLION MEALS. IN A RECENT STATEMENT, THE GOVERNOR WARNED NO STATE CAN SINGLE- HANDEDLY BACKFILL THE FEDERAL PROGRAM. BUT SHE SAID SHE IS COMMITTED TO DOING EVERYTHING IN HER POWER TO ENSURE NEW YORKERS DON’T GO HUNGRY. AND IT’S A GOOD TIME TO REMIND YOU THAT APPLICATIONS FOR NEW YORK’S “HEAP” PROGRAM OPENS IN JUST A FEW DAYS. THE’ HOME ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM’ IS FOR NEW YORKERS WHO NE
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul authorizes $30 million in emergency funding ahead of SNAP cuts
Updated: 5:28 PM EDT Oct 29, 2025
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul has fast-tracked $30 million in emergency food assistance to help the millions of New Yorkers who rely on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP as the federal government shutdown continues.The Trump administration has announced that on Nov. 1, the federal government will stop providing benefits to people who are part of the SNAP program. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, 41 million people in the United States use SNAP, and more than 300,000 New York households rely on the program. That equates to about 3 million individuals across the state.The $30 million in emergency food assistance is expected to support at least 16 million meals for New York families.Hochul has said that no state can singlehandedly backfill the federal program. However, in a statement, she said she is committed to ensuring New Yorkers don’t go hungry as the shutdown continues. New York recently joined 24 other states including Vermont, Massachusetts and Maine in suing the USDA and the Trump administration over what they called the illegal withholding of SNAP funds.Applications for New York’s Home Energy Assistance Program, or HEAP, are also set to open on Nov. 2. The program is designed to help New Yorkers who need financial assistance to heat their homes in the winter.
ALBANY, N.Y. —
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul has fast-tracked $30 million in emergency food assistance to help the millions of New Yorkers who rely on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP as the federal government shutdown continues.
The Trump administration has announced that on Nov. 1, the federal government will stop providing benefits to people who are part of the SNAP program. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, 41 million people in the United States use SNAP, and more than 300,000 New York households rely on the program. That equates to about 3 million individuals across the state.
The $30 million in emergency food assistance is expected to support at least 16 million meals for New York families.
Hochul has said that no state can singlehandedly backfill the federal program. However, in a statement, she said she is committed to ensuring New Yorkers don’t go hungry as the shutdown continues.
New York recently joined 24 other states including Vermont, Massachusetts and Maine in suing the USDA and the Trump administration over what they called the illegal withholding of SNAP funds.
Applications for New York’s Home Energy Assistance Program, or HEAP, are also set to open on Nov. 2. The program is designed to help New Yorkers who need financial assistance to heat their homes in the winter.