(WNY News Now) – Governor Kathy Hochul criticized the Trump administration’s decision to withhold full funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), pledging over $100 million in state support to help New Yorkers facing food insecurity.
ALBANY, N.Y. — Governor Kathy Hochul issued a statement Monday condemning the Trump administration’s decision not to fully fund the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), calling the move “indefensible” and warning that millions of New Yorkers are at risk of losing access to essential food assistance.
According to Hochul, approximately three million New Yorkers began the month without their usual SNAP benefits, creating widespread uncertainty for families who rely on the program to meet basic nutritional needs.
“The Trump administration’s decision not to fully fund SNAP is indefensible,” Hochul said. “Three million New Yorkers started this month without the food assistance they rely on and now face even more uncertainty thanks to this callous decision.”
The Governor criticized congressional Republicans for failing to intervene, saying they are “complicit” in the hardship caused by the ongoing federal budget impasse. She emphasized that the state would take immediate action to mitigate the impact by deploying over $100 million in emergency state funding to support food banks and pantries across New York.
“I’m fast-tracking over $100 million in state funds to keep food banks and pantries open so New Yorkers can put food on the table,” Hochul said. “But state resources can only go so far. President Trump must fully fund SNAP, and Republicans in Congress need to end the GOP shutdown before more families suffer.”
SNAP, a federal program that provides food-purchasing assistance to low- and moderate-income individuals, serves millions of residents nationwide. The partial funding decision comes amid a broader federal government shutdown that has disrupted services and strained state and local resources.
Governor Hochul’s announcement follows a growing chorus of concern from state leaders and advocacy groups warning that reduced federal food assistance could lead to a surge in demand for local hunger relief services.
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