There is bad news for some recipients of SNAP in New York. Due to new federal requirements, many could lose their benefits, and the change will likely hurt children in the state.
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) helps 2.8 million New Yorkers, including 851,000 children, put food on the table. SNAP is our nation’s most powerful anti-hunger program. It improves food security, reduces poverty, and leads to better health outcomes, especially among children.
According to a report by the New York State Comptroller’s Office in 2023, approximately one in ten New York households experienced food insecurity between 2019 and 2021.
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With the passage of the Republicans’ ‘Big Beautiful Bill,” many parents in New York are at risk of losing their benefits. More on that in a minute. There has also been a shift in a few red states to ban SNAP benefits from being used to buy junk food and soda. Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Colorado, Florida, and West Virginia have decided that SNAP recipients cannot purchase soda, and in some states, candy is on the banned list too. The current administration is working with some states to cut other junk food items like prepared desserts, energy drinks, and fruit drinks from the approved list.
NY Parents Could Lose SNAP Benefits Over Work Requirements
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Republicans pushed through changes to work requirements imposed on SNAP recipients. Now, New Yorkers with children aged 14 and older will need to work, volunteer, or participate in job training for at least 80 hours per month to continue receiving their benefits. In addition, adults ages 55 to 64, veterans, the homeless, and former foster care youth will have the same work requirements…