Citizens’ Committee for Children of New York urges action to protect SNAP benefits amid unprecedented federal attacks

New York, NY, December 11, 2025 — Citizens’ Committee for Children of New York (CCC) released a SNAP Factsheet showing that 32% of NYC households and 21% of NYC residents—nearly 1.8 million people, including over 500,000 children—depend on SNAP benefits to afford groceries. This lifeline is under threat due to recent federal actions.

Why Now:

• Congress passed R.1, imposing severe cuts and expanded work requirements that could strip benefits from 438,000 New Yorkers, including 174,000 NYC residents and 277,000 children statewide.
• Immigrant households previously eligible for SNAP—about 41,000 New Yorkers—are now excluded.
• The recent federal shutdown delayed benefits for nearly 3 million New Yorkers, underscoring the fragility of this critical program.
• Cuts will force families to choose between food and other essentials, with an average potential loss of $220/month per household.

“SNAP is not just a safety net; it is a lifeline for families – especially those with children – across New York,” said Raysa S. Rodriguez, Executive Director of CCC. “Children cannot thrive when their families are forced to choose between food and other basic needs. Federal cuts to this program will deepen hardships for hundreds of thousands of households statewide. We call on state leaders to act now to protect access to SNAP and other critical anti-hunger programs, ensuring every child has access to the nutrition they need and every New Yorker can put food on the table.”

To view the factsheet, visit: https://cccnewyork.org/data-publications/new-snap-data-shows-need-in-nyc

About CCC

For 80 years, Citizens’ Committee for Children of New York (CCC) has been an independent voice for children advancing child and family well-being through research, advocacy, and civic engagement. With deep expertise in data, policy and child-serving systems, CCC champions proven solutions and mobilizes allies to secure reforms that improve child outcomes and promote equity. CCC drives systems change to ensure every child is healthy, housed, educated, and safe.

https://cccnewyork.org/

###