SNAP is a critical lifeline for New York City residents, enabling nearly 1.8 million New Yorkers, including over 500,000 children, to afford groceries in the city. In recent months, this vital program has faced unprecedented attacks from the federal administration.

In July of this year, Congress passed H.R.1, a budget bill that makes draconian cuts to federal programs and benefits, particularly Medicaid, the Essential Plan, and SNAP. Because of the changes implemented by H.R.1, New York State and localities will need to spend $1.4 billion annually in additional funding just to maintain SNAP benefits. New, expanded work requirements and other administrative burdens will put 438,000 New Yorkers – including 174,000 residents of New York City – at risk of losing some or all of their benefits. 277,000 of those at risk are children.[1]  The State estimates that this will result in an average loss of $220/month, severely impacting families’ abilities to meet basic nutritional needs.

Additionally, immigrant groups previously eligible for SNAP are no longer eligible under H.R.1, including approximately 41,000 New Yorkers.[2] These groups include refugees, asylees, and others with longstanding humanitarian protections escaping domestic violence, human trafficking, violence and persecution.

More recently, the federal shutdown further threatened access to SNAP benefits. November SNAP benefits were delayed for many New Yorkers, impacting nearly 3 million individuals, including 1.7 million in New York City. On October 30, Governor Hochul declared a state of emergency, investing $65 million in new funding towards emergency food programs. When the federal government reopened, New York issued full SNAP benefits to all beneficiaries. However, the hardship thousands of New York families experienced underscores the precarious position of a program that is so fundamental to the health and economic well-being of our communities.

Efforts to cut SNAP are unconscionable, forcing millions of families across the country to choose between going hungry or foregoing other essential benefits. Ensuring that children are well-fed leads to improved health outcomes, school attendance, and behavior. SNAP also boosts economic activity. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, every $1 in SNAP benefits spent generates about $1.54 in economic activity, helping local businesses such as farmers’ markets and grocery stores.

To help New Yorkers understand the importance of SNAP in our City, CCC has used the latest Census data to update our Keeping Track Online database with data on SNAP utilization in all 59 NYC Community Districts. In our latest factsheet, we uplift major findings from this data.

[1] https://fiscalpolicy.org/fpi-testimony-to-new-york-city-council-on-impacts-of-the-obbba

[2] https://hungersolutionsny.org/resources-action/policy-and-advocacy/snap-changes-hr1/