NYC News: SNAP Funds Halted for Millions during Government Shutdown

Food Fears Raised as SNAP Funds Dry Up from Government Shut Down

By David Greene 

Manhattan Voice 

November 3, 2025

NYC NEWS - The Trump administration is facing a November 4 deadline to comply with two federal judges who ordered the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to release $5 billion it has in a “contingency fund” to be used as part of the $8 billion it would normally send to individuals and families in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) food benefits program. Funding for the food assistance program was halted on November 1^st as part of the government shutdown, now into its fifth week—as tens of millions of American’s are waiting on their November’s food allotment.

Speaking about a now discounted rumor that carried over funds on an EBT card would be frozen on November 1, Kay, 66, a disabled resident of Indian Village, said, “I don’t think it’s for real but the idea of it is frightening. It’s horrible if true. If I remember correctly, during (President Ronald) Regan’s first couple of years in office he tried doing stuff like this. I think the public outcry stopped it.”

Kay then asked, “What are the stores going to do? They’ll lose a lot of business.” Kay concluded, “I’m a senior but I’m more concerned for families, the homeless and the marginalized folks. I said a prayer in Shule today, I hope it helps. Honestly, if things go bad, I hope people march in the streets. I feel if people are happy to march for this, let them, not sure what it will accomplish. If you want to stop a king, you vote him out. Unfortunately, we’re stuck for a few years,” referring to the Trump administration.

Meanwhile, John, 49, a disabled resident of Norwood was asked what he thinks will happen if the SNAP benefits don’t arrive, he replied, “They’re going to start robbing the supermarkets, they’re going to start robbing people on the street. It’s going to create a war out here, people are going to be fighting each other, families are going to be fighting each other.”

Asked when funds would normally be put on his SNAP card, John said, “Mine would be November 1^st, but I already got a thing stating November 1^st you’re not getting them, it’s shut down.” Asked what it will mean to him if the funds don’t arrive, John said, “Well now I live by myself, I’ve got no money, I’m going to have to go to a soup kitchen or ask friends to buy me food, it’s gonna get really bad.” Asked if he had any existing funds on his card, he answered, “Four cents.”

In an October 24 letter from Governor Kathy Hochul to USDA’s Brooke Rollins, Hochul said, “SNAP is the nation’s largest and most effective anti-hunger program. Nearly 3 million New Yorkers rely on SNAP each month, most of whom are older adults, children, people with disabilities.” In the letter Hochul asked Rollins to release “contingency funds” that Hochul said could be authorized through an existing federal statute.

Hochul ended her request by telling Rollins, “Without direction from USDA, millions of Americans risk food insecurity during the holiday season.”

Currently the New York State’s website tells SNAP benefit recipients, “Due to the ongoing federal government shutdown, November SNAP benefits may be delayed. SNAP benefits cannot be issued in November unless federal funding is authorized.” It added that recipients will be notified by November 1^st via different apps or text messages.

Current figures show that a single person on SNAP currently receives $298 monthly, while a family of four receives $994 per month.

On October 27, Diego Padilla of Part Of the Solution, a food pantry on Webster Avenue was asked about the rumor that a client with existing funds on a SNAP card will not be able to access it after November 1^st, he said, “The official communications come directly from the government and everything that has been announced is that the deposits will stop on November 1^st, so that shouldn’t change your account balance.” Asked about how the Trump administration has previously pulled back existing funds, Padilla said, “That has nothing to do with anything that is already in someone’s account. However, as I mentioned, this is a government managed program so always stay tuned to official communications from the government.”

Asked if POTS has seen an uptick in clients seeking food, Padilla replied, “Not at the moment, we expect we might see more people, but this is not the first time that similar things have happened with the government, so we are preparing.”

Also on October 27, the Bronx Voice reached out to Congressman Mike Lawler (R, NY-17) for comment about the rumor, his office did not immediately return the calls.

Meanwhile, during a regular press briefing at the U.S. Capital on October 27, Speaker of the House of Representatives Mike Johnson said, “The best way for people to get their SNAP benefits is for the Democrats to end the shutdown.”

An email sent out on October 31, by the office of Borough President Vanessa Gibson, stated, “Potential delays to SNAP benefits due to the federal government’s inaction are not only heartless but also incredibly harmful to our communities in the Bronx. Many of our residents rely on these benefits as a crucial lifeline and safety net to support themselves and their families.” 

The statement continued, “Our office is working closely with our colleagues in government and nonprofit partners to ensure that our communities continue to be informed and supported during this time.”