(WNY News Now) – Governor Kathy Hochul announced that court rulings have confirmed the Trump administration must release emergency nutrition assistance for nearly 3 million New Yorkers facing loss of SNAP benefits.
ALBANY, N.Y. — Governor Kathy Hochul issued a statement on Friday following court rulings requiring the Trump administration to release emergency nutrition assistance to millions of New Yorkers impacted by the ongoing federal government shutdown.
“Today’s rulings confirm that the Trump administration must release emergency nutrition assistance for the 3 million New Yorkers set to lose their SNAP benefits tomorrow,” Hochul said.
The governor criticized federal inaction, noting that New York had to take legal steps to ensure families could continue accessing food assistance. “No state should have to sue the federal government to ensure families can put food on the table. But when Washington Republicans refused to act, New York took them to court to mitigate this crisis,” she stated.
In anticipation of possible disruptions, Hochul said her administration has prepared contingency measures, including fast-tracking over $100 million for food banks and community pantries across the state. She also declared a state of emergency to address potential food insecurity.
“With these rulings, it is clear the Trump administration can fully fund the SNAP program,” Hochul added. “We’re calling on the administration to immediately release these funds and support our efforts to keep New Yorkers fed during the shutdown.”
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which serves more than 3 million residents in New York, provides critical support for low-income families and individuals struggling to afford groceries. State officials have warned that interruptions in federal funding could have widespread consequences for communities and local food systems.
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