Erie County has begun distributing full Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits as of November 13, 2023. County Executive Mark Poloncarz announced that approximately 96% of SNAP households in the area will receive the entirety of their authorized benefits during this rollout, which will continue until November 17, 2023.
The announcement follows a warning from New York State Attorney General Letitia James, who urged retailers to comply with SNAP regulations. According to James, “The balances on consumers EBT cards must be accepted by SNAP retailers.” She emphasized that failing to honor SNAP benefits constitutes what she described as ‘illegal denial.’
In her statement, Attorney General James highlighted the potential for retailers to reject these benefits as New Yorkers begin to receive them. “As New Yorkers begin to receive their full benefits this week, I fear we could begin to see this illegal denial to honor SNAP,” she said. Her office is prepared to address complaints from consumers regarding such issues.
The urgency of the matter has been heightened by ongoing legal disputes at the federal level. The Trump administration has renewed its appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court to keep full SNAP payments frozen. On October 28, 2023, Attorney General James, alongside 25 other attorneys general and governors, initiated a lawsuit aimed at protecting SNAP benefits.
Local organizations are feeling the impact of these changes. Franchelle Parker from Open Buffalo commented on the dire need within the community, stating, “We’ve obtained an emergency distribution of $130,000. It may sound like a large amount, but with the hurt and despair in this community, it’s peanuts.” Parker noted that their collaborative efforts with churches in Buffalo, Niagara Falls, and Lackawanna are critical, as food pantries are reportedly running low on supplies.
Additionally, Lenny Lane of the FATHERS organization announced a new initiative to help alleviate food insecurity in the area. Blue beacon of hope bins will be placed at various firehouses and businesses across the city to collect donations of canned goods and other non-perishable items.
As Erie County navigates these pressing challenges, the response from local organizations and government officials highlights a collective effort to ensure that residents have access to necessary resources during this critical time.
