ITHACA, NY (WSKG) - New Yorkers who receive federal food assistance, also known as SNAP, will get their February payments early. SNAP is part of the Agriculture Department, which is shuttered in the federal shutdown. However, earlier this month the USDA instructed states to issue the February payments early.
The SNAP funds can be distributed through an obscure provision in the continuing resolution that expired December 21. Those funds must be dispersed by January 20.
In New York State, the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance administers SNAP. It announced this week that most recipients may soon receive those benefits.
If the shutdown continues into March, the USDA has no plan for administering SNAP payments.
Most SNAP recipients are children, disabled or elderly. About 3 million New Yorkers receive SNAP assistance.