As the federal government shutdown approaches a one-month duration, tens of millions of people across the country are at risk of losing their Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits on Nov. 1. Some Bronx residents shared their fears about rumors circulating online that existing credit on their SNAP cards may also disappear on this date.

 

Kay, 66, a resident of Indian Village who lives with a disability, told Norwood News, “I heard from a couple of people who read somewhere that come Nov. 1 […] no SNAP benefits will be given and the benefits card will not function, so even if one has money on them, the cards won’t function.”

 

She continued, “I tried calling a couple of nonprofits that have clients who may have SNAP benefits and one had said that they heard the same rumor.”

 

At the suggestion of buying food items that can keep for a longer period of time, like canned foods, Kay responded, “That’s what everybody is doing. Personally, I don’t think it’s for real but the idea of it is frightening. It’s horrible if true. If I remember correctly, during [U.S. President Ronald] Regan’s first couple of years in office, he tried doing stuff like this. I think the public outcry stopped it.”

 

Kay asked, “What are the stores going to do? They’ll lose a lot of business.” She concluded, “I’m a senior but I’m more concerned for families, the homeless, and the marginalized folks. I said a prayer in Shule today, I hope it helps. Honestly, if things go bad, I hope people march in the streets. I feel if people are happy to march for this, let them. Not sure what it will accomplish. Referring to U.S. President Donald Trump, she added, “If you want to stop a king, you vote him out. Unfortunately, we’re stuck for a few years.”

 

On Monday, Oct. 27, Norwood News contacted the housing nonprofit that Kay had mentioned and asked them about the rumor and its executive director said he was not aware of it.

An extract from New York State government’s website currently informs SNAP benefit recipients, “Due to the ongoing federal government shutdown, November SNAP benefits may be delayed. SNAP benefits cannot be issued in November unless federal funding is authorized.” According to the extract, recipients will be notified of any updates by Nov. 1 via different apps or text messages.

 

Meanwhile, John, 49, a resident of Norwood who also lives with a disability, was asked what he thinks will happen if the SNAP benefits don’t arrive. He replied, “They’re going to start robbing the supermarkets, they’re going to start robbing people on the street. It’s going to create a war out here. People are going to be fighting each other. Families are going to be fighting each other.”

 

Asked when, under normal circumstances, credit/funds would be added on his SNAP card/account, John said, “Mine would be Nov. 1, but I already got a thing stating Nov. 1, you’re not getting them; it’s shut down.” Asked what it will mean to him if the funds don’t arrive, John said, “Well now, I live by myself. I’ve got no money. I’m going to have to go to a soup kitchen or ask friends to buy me food. It’s gonna get really bad.” Asked if he had any existing funds on his card, he replied, “four cents.”

 

In an October 24th letter from New York Gov. Kathy Hochul to U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins, Hochul wrote, “SNAP is the nation’s largest and most effective anti-hunger program. Nearly 3 million New Yorkers rely on SNAP each month, most of whom are older adults, children, people with disabilities.” In the letter, the governor also asked Rollins to release “contingency funds” that she said could be authorized through an existing federal statute.

The governor ended her request by telling Rollins, “Without direction from USDA [U.S. Department of Agriculture], millions of Americans risk food insecurity during the holiday season.”

 

According to a State government website extract, a single person on SNAP benefits currently receives $298 monthly for food assistance, while a family of four receives $994 per month. The governor declared a state of emergency in New York State on Thursday, Oct. 30, due to the situation.

 

As reported, the nonprofit, Part Of the Solution (POTS), is a food pantry located on Webster Avenue in Bedford Park, with a second location on the Grand Concourse in Fordham Manor, and also provides showers and other services to undomiciled recipients. On Monday, Oct. 27, Diego Padilla of POTS was asked about rumors that clients with existing funds/credit on their SNAP accounts/cards may not be able to access that credit on Nov. 1.

 

“The official communications come directly from the government and everything that has been announced is that the deposits will stop on November 1st, so that shouldn’t change your [existing] account balance,” Padilla said. Asked about the chances of a possible reversal / recall of existing SNAP credit / funds from SNAP recipients based on other past examples by the Trump administration of reversing federal funds from New York State, even after Congress has approved their allocation, Padilla said, “That has nothing to do with anything that is already in someone’s account [card].

 

He added, “However, as I mentioned, this is a government managed program so always stay tuned to official communications from the government.”

Asked if POTS has seen an uptick in clients seeking food, Padilla replied, “Not at the moment. We expect we might see more people, but this is not the first time that similar things have happened with the government so we are preparing.” As reported, POTS has since announced that it is stepping up its efforts in preparation for additional food needs from the community.

 

POTS officials are calling on community members, leaders, and partners to contact their elected officials and demand swift action to restore federal funding for programs like SNAP, Medicaid, and HEAP.

 

On the same day, as reported, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul announced $30 million in emergency food assistance funds amid the shutdown.

 

POTS recently received additional funding from the Office of State Sen. Gustavo Rivera (S.D. 33). More to follow.

 

Also on Monday, October 27, Norwood News reached out to Congressman Mike Lawler, a Republican, (NY-17) for comment on the rumor about the SNAP cards and on the shutdown generally, which Democrats blame on Republicans. His office did not immediately return our calls.

 

Meanwhile, during a regular press briefing at the U.S. Capital on Monday, Oct. 27, Speaker of the House of Representatives Mike Johnson said, “The best way for people to get their SNAP benefits is for the Democrats to end the shutdown.”

 

On Friday, Oct. 31, Attorney General Letitia James announced that her office had won a court ruling requiring the federal government to use SNAP contingency funds amid the federal government shutdown. Read more here. 

 

Earlier the same day, Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson had provided the following information.

 

“Potential delays to SNAP benefits due to the federal government’s inaction are not only heartless but also incredibly harmful to our communities in the Bronx. Many of our residents rely on these benefits as a crucial lifeline and safety net to support themselves and their families. Our office is working closely with our colleagues in government and nonprofit partners to ensure that our communities continue to be informed and supported during this time.”

It continued, “Here’s what you need to know:

 You will be notified about the status of your November SNAP benefits by 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.

 Continue completing required steps like recertifications and periodic reports to stay eligible.

Food Assistance Programs:

 Find Your Regional Food Bank: Locate food banks and Emergency Food Relief Organizations (EFROs) near you: https://www.feedingamerica.org/find-your-local-foodbank

 The Food Pantries Food Connect Map: https://map.thefoodpantries.org/

Find local food pantries, community meals, and mobile food resources:

 Resources for Working Families (OTDA): https://forms.ny.gov/s3/Your-Services“

Lists of local Bronx food pantries are attached courtesy of the East Bronx Neighborhood Association.

 

 

 

Meanwhile, State Sen. Gustavo Rivera (S.D. 33) provided the following attached information in Spanish.

 

 

 

 

 

State Sen. Jamaal Bailey provided the following information for SNAP recipients on Friday, Oct. 31.

 

 

Councilman Eric Dinowitz (C.D. 11)  also issued information on the SNAP situation on Friday, Oct. 31, saying in part that the shutdown and actions by the Trump Administration had put critical SNAP (food stamp) benefits at risk for millions of New Yorkers. He referenced the additional funding since announced by the governor now totaling $65 million to strengthen food banks and pantries, which he said would provide around 40 million meals to those in need across the state.

 

He added that for those who need food assistance, support is available:

• DYCD Food Pantries Directory

• Food Bank NYC Finder

• Learn how the shutdown could impact your SNAP benefits

 

“Our city has faced emergencies like this before, and we’ll meet this moment the same way we always have: by standing together and caring for one another,’ he said.

 

On Tuesday, Oct. 28, Gibson had issued a prior statement on Monday’s announcement of another (third) delay to the Metro-North Penn Access Project [which reportedly also stems from disputes with the federal government and Amtrak over funding].

 

During the press conference marking the official opening of the new elevators at Mosholu Parkway subway station in Norwood in early September, Norwood News had specifically raised this point with MTA CEO and Chair Janno Lieber. Read his response here and Gibson’s statement here.

 

*Síle Moloney contributed to this story.