Kingston, NY – Due to the ongoing federal shutdown, the federal funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is expected to run out within days, by the end of October. The program funds food stamp benefits.

“3 million New Yorkers, including 1 million children, rely on food stamps. In our Assembly district, 11,441 individuals depend on these benefits, of whom 3,260 are children, 2,338 are seniors, and 1,166 are disabled. If federal funding for SNAP runs out in a few days, we’re looking at a loss of benefits that amounts to $640 million per month. That means not only an immediate hunger crisis, but also other disruptions, such as people not being able to pay their utility bills, smaller businesses that accept food stamps losing revenues, and more.

In the face of the federal administration’s gross incompetence and blatant disregard for people, the state must use its power to immediately protect New Yorkers by ensuring SNAP remains uninterrupted. The Governor must call an emergency session for the state to advance $640 million to make up for the loss of federal funding, and we already have the money to do so—we currently have a $4.1 billion current-year revenue surplus in addition to the $29 billion in fiscal reserves. Additionally, when New York’s Congressional delegation gets back to work to negotiate a deal to end the shutdown, they must secure reimbursement of these funds from the federal government as part of the deal.

While it’s heartening to see ordinary citizens step up with mutual aid, and while the Governor’s $11 million plan to support food banks statewide is a welcome first step, emergency food distribution efforts won’t make a dent on the impact of losing these benefits. Not only is the scale of lost benefits too huge, but as I’m already hearing from some of our constituents, many SNAP recipients are not even aware of the looming end of its funding, and having to go to a specific food distribution sites is not realisticfor those without transport and those who have a difficult work schedule, including having to work multiple jobs. New York can and must act to keep SNAP uninterrupted.

It must be noted that we are in this crisis because of an already broken economic system that prioritizes profits over people’s well-being. We must take emergency measures now and continue our work to put our resources towards people’s needs, through measures like universal childcare and healthcare, low utility rates and a clean grid through publicly-owned energy systems, permanently affordable social housing, functional and affordable public transit systems, and more.”