What’s Next for New Yorkers on SNAP?

New Yorkers who rely on federal food assistance could see more project disruptions in upcoming months New York Focus reports Illustration by Leor Stylar New York Focus This story originally appeared in New York Focus a nonprofit news publication probing power in New York Sign up for their newsletter here After a chaotic November the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Initiative SNAP is back on track at least for now The ruling body shutdown suspended SNAP payments nationwide on Nov At the same time New York s social institution agencies were hit with a surprise decision by the Trump administration that left them scrambling to implement expanded work requirements several months earlier than expected A messy legal battle involving states and the Supreme Court ensued But it wasn t until Congress reopened the federal regime on Nov that the White House seemingly acquiesced to mounting pressure from unfavorable legal rulings The administration has since resumed SNAP payments and will honor an existing waiver that allows New York to delay new work requirements until next year as originally planned My brain just couldn t wrap itself around what the heck was going on announced Diana Ramos an activist with Urban Justice Center s Safety Net Project and a SNAP recipient from the Bronx Last month as the drama unfolded in Washington Ramos declared she took out a cash advance to stay afloat and juggle costs like dog food and a secondhand winter jacket Her SNAP benefits at last landed in her account on Nov after New York and several other states rushed to release the payments following a court order Tami Wilson chief operating officer at Feeding Westchester declared that while November s chaos has come and gone SNAP users are expressing more unease about the initiative s future ahead of yet another probable regime shutdown in February despite assurances that SNAP funding will last through September You re taking shots at SNAP from all different areas to confuse deter and just really be cruel to our neighbors in need Wilson disclosed Our neighbors who are heavily reliant on the administration are no longer feeling like the governing body can be their safety net The organization saw food pantry use shoot up in October ahead of November s SNAP funding predicament For years Feeding Westchester has advocated to increase SNAP benefits based on reports from clients who say their monthly allotments don t last the entire month The expanded work rules which were enacted as part of Trump s Big Beautiful Bill will go into effect in March and require certain SNAP recipients to spend up to hours every month working in school or volunteering Those who fail to meet these new requirements for longer than three months could have their benefits terminated The reinstated timeframe is giving agencies like New York City s Human Information Administration which oversees snap across the five boroughs more time to adjust to the new changes and mitigate fallout The agency is rolling out programs to connect recipients with eligible work programs and strength providers to help them meet or avoid the new mandate New York City residents with any physical or mental conditions that could prevent them from fulfilling the monthly requirement are encouraged to submit a physiological exemption form Residents outside of New York City can submit a statewide version of the form to their local county social system department But advocates like Ramos are skeptical any amount of preparation could counter the likely devastating effects of the new work rules especially with understaffed social operation agencies It s estimated that hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers could lose their SNAP benefits under the new initiative including those who meet the monthly commitment but are unable to complete certifications due to technological or language hindrances Administrative errors and delays which have long been an issue across the state could also conclusion in wrongful benefit terminations Even more changes could be on the way Since the shutdown ended the Trump administration has ratcheted up its threats to cut off SNAP benefits to states that don t comply with a controversial information sharing guidelines informed earlier this year Ramos is named in a lawsuit challenging the content framework which has heightened fears around privacy as well as foreseen immigration enforcement Why do you need this Am I going to get a knock on my door because I have a Hispanic last name mentioned Ramos who is Puerto Rican The administration is also pursuing a rule change that could discourage eligible immigrants from using masses benefits by allowing personnel to factor benefit usage into decisions about citizenship or permanent legal status If you still haven t received your regular snap benefits for November or December get in touch with your local county social organization department SNAP recipients who are subject to the new work rules should also hear from their local social arrangement agency if they haven t already The post What s Next for New Yorkers on SNAP appeared first on City Limits