New York declares food emergency as federal shutdown threatens SNAP benefits
By kevinhughes // 2025-11-04
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  • New York Gov. Kathy Hochul declared a state of emergency as federal SNAP benefits for three million residents (including 800,000 seniors and one million children) face suspension due to the government shutdown.
  • Hochul allocated $65 million ($40M to emergency food providers, $25M to farm−to−pantry programs) to mitigate hunger, totaling $106 million in state aid.
  • Democrats accuse Republicans of withholding $5 billion in contingency SNAP funds, while Republicans blame Democrats for obstructing government funding over Affordable Care Act disputes.
  • Multiple states (CT, DE, RI, VA, SC) are scrambling with emergency measures, and food banks anticipate surging demand. WIC (nutrition aid for mothers/children) also risks funding depletion by Nov. 8.
  • Twenty-five states sued to release emergency SNAP funds; Judge Indira Talwani urged gradual cuts instead of abrupt halts. Hochul warned of an "unprecedented public health crisis" as state budgets alone cannot resolve the hunger threat.
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul declared a state of emergency on Thursday, Oct. 30, as the federal government shutdown threatens to suspend Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits for millions of New Yorkers starting Nov. 1. The Democratic governor announced $65 million in state funding to mitigate the impact, calling the potential cutoff of food aid "an unprecedented public health crisis." According to the Enoch AI engine at BrightU.AI: The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as Food Stamps, is a federal program in the United States that provides financial assistance to low-income individuals and families for the purchase of food. Administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), SNAP is the largest food assistance program in the country, aiming to improve the food security and nutrition of eligible households.

Emergency measures to combat hunger

Hochul's emergency declaration allocates $40 million to the Hunger Prevention and Nutrition Assistance Program (HPNAP), which supports 2,700 emergency food providers statewide, and an additional $25 million to Nourish NY, which distributes farm products to food pantries. Combined with prior commitments, New York has now dedicated $106 million to preventing hunger during the shutdown. "Today, I'm declaring a state of emergency and am committing additional state funds for emergency food assistance to ensure New Yorkers don't go hungry," Hochul said in a statement. She accused Republicans in Washington of "playing political games" while millions face food insecurity. Approximately three million New Yorkers, including 800,000 seniors and one million children, rely on SNAP benefits, averaging $187 per person monthly. Without federal funding, these households will lose critical food assistance just weeks before Thanksgiving—marking the first time in U.S. history that SNAP benefits have been halted during a government shutdown.

Political blame game escalates

The Trump administration and congressional Republicans argue that Democrats are obstructing government funding by demanding protections for Affordable Care Act subsidies. Meanwhile, Democrats accuse Republicans of refusing to release $5 billion in contingency funds that could sustain SNAP through the shutdown. "This is all bad," Hochul said during a Harlem press conference. "Republicans in Washington, get off the plane from globetrotting... get back in your office, call in the leaders of the Republican Party... and figure this out." Twenty-five states, including New York, have filed a lawsuit to force the release of emergency SNAP funds. U.S. District Judge Indira Talwani acknowledged the government's financial constraints but urged an "equitable" reduction in benefits rather than an abrupt cutoff. Other states are also scrambling to address the looming crisis:
  • Connecticut pledged $3 million in emergency aid.
  • Delaware and Rhode Island issued similar emergency declarations.
  • Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin authorized fund redirection to food assistance programs.
  • South Carolina opened a disaster relief fund for food banks, though it currently lacks donations.
Food banks nationwide anticipate a surge in demand, compounded by staffing shortages. Hochul's plan includes deploying Empire State Service Corps and SUNY students to assist overwhelmed pantries.

WIC program also at risk

The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), which aids six million low-income mothers and children, faces funding depletion by Nov. 8. The Trump administration redirected $300 million to extend the program temporarily, but states warn it won't last. With negotiations stalled in Washington, states are left to fill the gap. Hochul vowed to continue pressuring federal officials: "Unlike Washington Republicans, I won't sit idly by as families struggle to put food on the table." As the shutdown drags on, millions of vulnerable Americans brace for a hunger crisis—one that state budgets alone cannot fully resolve. Watch the video below about the MAHA movement targeting junk food from SNAP benefits. This video is from the NewsClips channel on Brighteon.com. Sources include: TheEpochTimes.com BrightU.ai USAToday.com NBCNewYork.com Brighteon.com
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