Starting November 1, 1.8 million New Yorkers will lose access to their Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefit if the Trump administration doesn't follow today's court order. Every month, around $423.9 million is needed to support around 20% of New York City's population that lives with food insecurity. And while the New York State government's attempt to close this gap is a good start, the emergency $655.9 million allocated for the whole state is highly insufficient.
The disastrous consequences of the SNAP cuts can also generate a domino effect in New York City's small business economy, where several grocery stores rely on customers who are benefit recipients. Fewer shoppers could mean layoffs, plunging even more New Yorkers into food insecurity and ultimately impacting our communities' health and safety.
Our office is deeply concerned that New Yorkers will not be able to feed themselves and their families, starting as early as tomorrow, November 1. Yesterday, the Public Advocate sent letters to the mayor and governor urging them to provide financial aid ahead of the November 1 deadline, accessing so-called “Rainy Day” funds at each level of government to meet the scale and immediacy of the emergency. While the steps taken by Governor Hochul represent positive progress, they will only fill the gap for about a week of New York State’s food needs. Further action is necessary to protect New Yorkers in need from harm, as well as prevent the devastation that would stem from hundreds of millions of lost infusion into the city’s economy. Hear directly from the Public Advocate on this crisis.
Here are a few resources if you’re a SNAP recipient currently being affected by the looming suspension of SNAP benefits.
What Happens if SNAP Benefits are Suspended?
SNAP recipients should expect a notification from the NYS Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA) through the OTDA website, NYC ACCESS HRA, myBenefits, the ebtEDGE app, and by text.
Any unused benefits will remain available after November 1—you can check your EBT balance at ebtEDGE.com or through the app.
Please continue to complete all required recertifications and reports to remain eligible. If you may still apply for SNAP during the shutdown–DO NOT WAIT FOR THE GOVERNMENT TO REOPEN!
Those receiving Cash Assistance benefits are not affected. Visit What You Need to Know About SNAP During the Government Shutdown to learn more.
Where To Find Immediate Assistance
New Yorkers may use the following websites to look for food help organizations close to their home:
- NYC Food Help
- City Meals on Wheels
- Food Bank NYC
- City Harvest
- Must be homebound and over 60 years-old
Find assistance by neighborhood:
Bronx
- Part of the Solution (POTS)
- BronxWorks
- New York Common Pantry Bronx
- Thursday, Friday, and Saturday,10 AM - 2 PM
- To register for Choice Pantry: Tuesday – Saturday, 9 AM - 2 PM
- To receive an emergency grocery bag: Tuesday – Saturday, 10 AM - 2 PM
- Must bring photo ID for all adults in the household and ID for all children in the household
Brooklyn
- Sisters With Purpose
- Saturdays, 9 AM - 10 AM
- One Community
- First timers need to bring any form of identification to register
- Brooklyn Rescue Mission
- Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 10 AM -11:30
- Catholic Charities Brooklyn & Queens
- The Campaign Against Hunger
- People in Need
- Weekly on Sundays in November (November 2, 9, 23, 30) from 4:30 - 5:30 PM
Manhattan
- New York Common Pantry East Harlem
- Holy Apostles Soup Kitchen & Pantry
- West Side Campaign Against Hunger
- Distribution Hours: Tuesday – Friday, 9 AM -1 PM
Queens
- Astoria Food Pantry
- Mondays, 8 AM -10:30 AM and Saturdays, 1 PM - 1:30 PM
- Kehilat Sephardim Food Pantry
- Masbia of Queens Soup Kitchen and Food Pantry
- Soup Kitchen: Monday through Thursday (Closed on Jewish Holidays) from 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM. No appointment required.
- Food Pantry: By appointment only, once every seven days. (Over 1,000 appointments are available weekly.)
- YWCA Queens – Mobile Food Pantry
- La Jornada Food Pantry
- Wednesdays and Saturdays, from 11 AM until supplies last
- Iglesia Alianza Cristiana Misionera Ebenezer
- Hungry Monk
- Community Alliance Initiative
- Wednesday, 10 AM - 12 PM
- Ridgewood Commons
- Mondays and Wednesdays
- South Asian Council for Social Services
- Also offers a delivery program for homebound, ill, and elderly persons
Staten Island
- Project Hospitality
- JCC of Staten Island – Kosher Food Pantry
- St. Peter–St. Paul & Assumption Parish Pantry
- Wednesdays, 1 PM - 2 PM
- CHASI – Community Food Pantry
- Church of St. Teresa of the Infant Jesus
- First and Third Week of the Month, Monday - Wednesday - Friday, 10 AM - 2 PM
How You Can Support
We encourage those that can and are willing to help to check on your neighbors (consider being a “grocery buddy”) and contact food aid organizations on how you can best be of assistance.
This blog post was written with information from the Office of The Manhattan Borough President, Legal Aid Society, Zone 126, Andromeda Community Initiative, Gothamist, and the Office of the New York State Comptroller.
Image: Seeds in the Middle Rally for Fresh Food on 6/16/25
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