Gov. Kathy Hochul declared a state of emergency for New York on Thursday, days before SNAP benefits and other assistance are set to dry out amid the ongoing, and historic, federal government shutdown.

More than 40 million Americans on SNAP benefits will be impacted across the country, prompting Kathy Hochul to declare a state of emergency in New York

If the ongoing government shutdown extends into Saturday — and there is every indication that it will — funding will lapse for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, known as food stamps or SNAP, which helps feed some 42 million lower-income Americans.

The coalition of states criticized the USDA for not utilizing $6 billion in contingency funds to sustain SNAP operations during the funding lapse.

City Council data from 2024 shows about 20% of New York City residents receive SNAP. In the Bronx, more than 40% of people rely on it.

As 1.8 million New York City residents brace for their food assistance to be cut off this Saturday, New York State Attorney General Letitia James announced a multistate lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) on Tuesday over its decision to suspend Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits during the ongoing federal government

The Central Texas Food Bank expects to spend roughly four times its monthly budget to support Austin-area SNAP recipients.

The community just outside New York City is gearing up for a possible food crisis if SNAP is frozen​ due to the federal government shutdown.