With SNAP benefits set to lapse on Saturday, New York City Public Advocate Jumaane D. Williams is calling on Governor Hochul and Mayor Adams to unlock Rainy Day funds in order to ensure New Yorkers do not go hungry amid the federal government shutdown.
This morning, 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 our allies in Congress fight the Federal administration’s devastating healthcare cuts and States' Attorneys General sue to prevent this illegal SNAP funding freeze, we must ensure that New Yorkers are fed today, tomorrow, and for the duration of this fight," he wrote to both leaders.
Also this morning, Governor Hochul announced a State of Emergency that would unlock about $65 million in food bank support statewide. This is positive progress, but 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.
"I understand that the monthly cost of SNAP benefits represents a significant portion of the Reserve Fund,” wrote the Public Advocate. "Even so, the [state’s] current fiscal outlook should allow us to fill SNAP benefits for quite some time, while Congress negotiates an end to President Trump’s government shutdown."
About 1 in 5 New York City residents receive SNAP benefits, with monthly dispersals over $420 million in total. Inclusive of today’s announcement, the state has allocated just over $100 million in statewide support, which will help in the first days of the crisis, but not sustain over the long term. Additionally, this support is designated to food banks and pantries – incredible services which are essential, but will not replicate the economic impact of spending SNAP funds at local grocery stores and other providers.
"We cannot fold under the pressure of this manufactured crisis,” urged the Public Advocate. “Now is the time to ask ourselves as elected officials: Will we use every power at our disposal to ensure New Yorkers’ safety or will we capitulate to a federal government that does not care about Americans’ safety or about the rule of law? Do we mean it when we call ourselves fighters or is that empty rhetoric?"
The full letters to the city and state are available at the links provided.