Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson granted the Trump administration more time to appeal an order to fully restore the funding for SNAP benefits on Friday.
This comes as New York and New Jersey were among a handful of states making moves to pay the benefits. New Jersey began making payments to EBT debit cards on Friday morning, and New York stated that recipients can see the money starting on Sunday. It is unclear whether Friday night's decision will have any impact.
New York Governor Kathy 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 to comply with a Federal judge's order.
On Thursday, a judge ordered the White House to 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. However, for now, the USDA is moving ahead with sending out the benefits.
For those seeking alternative resources if SNAP benefits are discontinued on November 1 or if you are looking to help, please visit abc7ny.com/foodhelp for more information.
St. John the Divine has not only been handing out food, but it has also 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, the dean of the cathedral, said that while they are distributing gift cards to local grocery stores, her colleagues at other churches have been ordering extra food.
Willie Colon is a regular at the Food Bank for NYC in Harlem. The 70-year-old works 80 hours a week as a building superintendent -- and that was before SNAP benefits were at risk.
"I work two jobs as it is and struggling to pay the bills and putting food on the table, it's barely a trickle," said Colon.
Colon is a regular at the Food Bank for NYC in Harlem, where the smell of chilli, cornbread, and kale salad fills the kitchen.
The food bank began seeing hundreds more people come through its doors in the weeks leading up to the SNAP cuts, anticipating leaner times ahead.
"We see a lot more regular clients and new clients as well, but I'm also seeing a lot more children coming in with their families," said Chef Sheri Jefferson.
It's a similar story at the Bowery Mission, where the line for spaghetti and meatballs stretches down the block.
"We've already been seeing new faces on our line as the cost of living goes up, as the weather gets colder, and now we expect to see folks because of the government shutdown," said James Winans.
For New Yorkers like Colon, it all gives him a little room to breathe, but with all the uncertainty, he's now thinking of looking for a third job.
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