Despite a recent Supreme Court decision, New York has successfully secured funding for food stamps starting Sunday, as confirmed by Governor Kathy Hochul. This development brings a sense of relief to many families relying on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) across the state.
Governor Hochul expressed her commitment to supporting New Yorkers, stating on social media, “While Donald Trump has tirelessly worked to prevent New Yorkers from accessing food, families dependent on SNAP can finally relax as their benefits are being distributed. My dedication to advocating for New Yorkers and holding Republicans in Washington accountable remains unwavering.”
New York joins several other states in releasing SNAP funds following a federal court’s decision last Thursday. However, the Trump administration contested this ruling, prompting Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson to decide on Friday night that the federal government is not obligated to fully fund SNAP while awaiting a lower court’s verdict.
In response to the Supreme Court’s ruling, the Trump administration on Sunday demanded that states retract the full SNAP payments, labeling them as “unauthorized.” They also warned of potential penalties and a lack of reimbursement for states that proceeded with the payments.
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) issued a statement urging states to “immediately undo any steps taken to issue full SNAP benefits for November 2025.”
Governor Hochul, along with other governors, expressed strong disapproval of this federal stance and vowed to ensure the program’s funding regardless of the Supreme Court’s decision.
“Thank you, [Gov. Hochul], for ensuring our families are taken care of and fed,” Mayor Adams wrote Saturday. “SNAP funds will be dispersed starting [Sunday], but New Yorkers can always access resources to find groceries or meals. We will always take care of each other.”
RODRIGUEZ CARRILLO/AFP via Getty Images
Daytona Beach residents line up in their cars during a free food distribution for SNAP recipients organized by the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office and The Jewish Federation at the Daytona International Speedway on Sunday. (Photo by MIGUEL J. RODRIGUEZ CARRILLO/AFP via Getty Images)
The court fight over SNAP benefits has left states in limbo and scrambling to react, while 42 million people who rely on food stamps have been stuck wondering if they’ll be able to afford food. The fight has stemmed from the ongoing government shutdown, the longest in the nation’s history.
“In the past six days, we’ve received four different measures of guidance,” Maryland Gov. Wes Moore said Sunday on CBS.
