SNAP benefit update: Partial funding made available by Trump Administration

NY Governor Kathy Hochul: Indefensible, callous decision

CORE Learning Centers establish FOOD DROP OFF locations across Western New York

By Andrew Harris

Five billion dollars in funding has been released after a federal judge ordered the USDA to use contingency funding to keep federal food assistance flowing to 42 million Americans currently enrolled in the program.

Today news from the Trump administration indicated that those funds would be released but they would only provide parital funding, which is already late in arriving.

The impact of that partial funding will vary by state with some governors releasing funding to make up the difference to recipients, or like New York, to provide funding for local food banks. Governor Hochul released this statement:

“The Trump administration’s decision not to fully fund SNAP is indefensible. Three million New Yorkers started this month without the food assistance they rely on and now face even more uncertainty thanks to this callous decision.

“Every Republican in Washington should be outraged that the President is deliberately inflicting pain on the American people. Instead, they’re complicit. I’m fast-tracking over $100 million in state funds to keep food banks and pantries open so New Yorkers can put food on the table. But state resources can only go so far. President Trump must fully fund SNAP, and Republicans in Congress need to end the GOP shutdown before more families suffer.”

No comment from the USDA has been noted, the message at USDA.gov remains:

“Senate Democrats have now voted 13 times to not fund the food stamp program, also known as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Bottom line, the well has run dry. At this time, there will be no benefits issued November 01. We are approaching an inflection point for Senate Democrats. They can continue to hold out for healthcare for illegal aliens and gender mutilation procedures or reopen the government so mothers, babies, and the most vulnerable among us can receive critical nutrition assistance.”

With this funding from the USDA released, the next steps toward fully funding the SNAP program appear to be dependent on the federal government shutdown. With no resolution in sight, localized efforts to provide food sources are ramping up across the country.

In rural Western NY, a local effort to fill food pantry shelves is underway by Literacy West Inc, a non-profit proudly serving Allegany, Cattaraugus, Genesee, Livingston, Orleans and Wyoming Counties for nearly 40 years. Literacy West Inc. operates CORE Learning Centers in the region. CORE is offering a food drop off at all our locations to help those affected by the loss of SNAP. The are taking canned food and dry staples. Food can be dropped off Mon- Friday 8:30-4pm.