Alliance Alert: The Alliance for Rights and Recovery is encouraged by Governor Kathy Hochul’s announcement that the first New Yorkers will begin receiving their full SNAP benefits starting this Sunday.
We thank Governor Hochul for her leadership in directing state agencies to act quickly following federal court orders and USDA guidance to ensure millions of New Yorkers can once again access essential food assistance.
While this is welcome news, the situation at the federal level remains uncertain as the Trump administration continues to challenge court rulings and delay full compliance. The Alliance will continue to monitor developments closely and provide updates to our community as new information becomes available.
We recognize the fear and hardship many are still experiencing during this shutdown and remain committed to advocating at both the state and federal levels to ensure that no one in New York goes hungry due to political inaction.
Statement From Governor Kathy Hochul
Office Of Governor Hochul | November 7, 2025
“After weeks of the Trump administration putting millions of New Yorkers through chaos and confusion, following guidance from USDA, I’ve directed state agencies to issue full federal SNAP benefits for November. We expect the first New Yorkers to begin having access to their benefits starting Sunday.
“Let me be clear, President Trump is hellbent on preventing millions of Americans from putting food on the table. He’s made decision after decision to withhold funding that feeds families, seniors and children — and continues doubling down on this cruelty by challenging the courts’ clear orders. It’s senseless and un-American and I’m working tirelessly to bring this uncertainty to an end for the nearly three million New Yorkers who rely on this program.”
Statement From Governor Kathy Hochul | Governor Kathy Hochul
Gov. Hochul says she’s directing state agencies to issue full SNAP benefits for November
By Eyewitness News | ABC 7 | November 7, 2025
NEW YORK (WABC) — Gov. Hochul says she is directing state agencies to issue full SNAP benefits for November as local organizations work to bridge the gap.
The USDA notified states that they are working towards paying November SNAP benefits in full in order to be in compliance with a Federal judge’s order.
On Thursday, a judge demanded that the White House fully restore funding to the food assistance program by the end of Friday.
It is unclear what this means in terms of when states will receive full funding.
Governor Kathy Hochul issued a statement saying,
“After weeks of the Trump administration putting millions of New Yorkers through chaos and confusion, following guidance from USDA, I’ve directed state agencies to issue full federal SNAP benefits for November. We expect the first New Yorkers to begin having access to their benefits starting Sunday.”
New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy also issued a statement saying,
“We are relieved to share that Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits for November are now fully funded. SNAP households across New Jersey should see those benefits reflected on their EBT cards. We acted immediately in accordance with Judge McConnell’s Thursday ruling to ensure these delayed benefits were available as soon as possible.”
Meanwhile, the Trump administration has asked an appeals court to issue an emergency stay of the judge’s ruling so it does not have to comply with the judge’s order, but for now the USDA is moving ahead with sending out the benefits.
St. John the Divine has not only been handing out food, but it also has donated $100 gift cards to help people make ends meet. There, they have noticed a trickle-down effect. People do not have their SNAP benefits so they are not shopping at grocery stores, so grocery stores are feeling a strain.
All day long, hundreds lined up at the Cathedral Community Cares food pantry while they wait for SNAP benefits.
“We don’t want to be on this line. We want to eat like everyone else wants to eat,” said Patrick Sands.
Winne Vergheswe cathedral’s dean said that while they are giving out gift cards to area grocery stores, her colleagues at other churches have been ordering extra food.
“What they’re finding is, you know, usually you get just pallets and pallets of food if you get whatever you want so that you can distribute it. And now people that one friend said, I usually get 12, I got one because the place that supplies all this, we pantries are out of food as well because there’s so much need all over the city,” Winne Vergheswe said.
Earlier on Friday, Congressman Ritchie Torres held a news conference in part to call attention to the SNAP strain and turn up the pressure on the Trump administration.
“He’s engaging in an act of raw political power against the hungriest Americans,” Torres said.
we won’t be able to eat in the next month because all the pantries is drying up and the food that we’re getting, we’re getting less than half of what we got three weeks ago.
The funding delays have stressed the system and the people who rely on it. The continuing government shutdown means the strain will continue, too.