10/23/25 Update: Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP): Applications are not yet being accepted. Please continue to check the OTDA.NY.GOV site for the lates information.
10/21/25 Update: SNAP benefits are still being issued and applications and EBT cards remain active. HOWEVER, the New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA) has warned that if a shutdown continues past October 27, there may delays in issuing November benefits, including HEAP and SNAP.
Statewide Food Assistance Resources
If SNAP benefits are delayed due to the federal shutdown, explore these regional and statewide food support options:
- Find Your Regional Food Bank: Use the NYS Department of Health’s map to locate the food bank serving your county: Find Your Regional Food Bank
- Feeding New York State: County-by-County Food Pantry Locator. Search by county to find food pantries, soup kitchens, and emergency food programs: Feeding NYS Food Finder
- Hunger Solutions NY: Zip Code & County Search- Offers SNAP application help, WIC info, and food pantry locators: Find Food Help
- Call 2-1-1 or Visit 211 New York: Connects people to local food, housing, and health resources across all 12 NYS regions: 211 New York or dial 2-1-1
- Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP): Provides USDA food through regional food banks to local pantries: TEFAP in NYS
While a federal government shutdown can disrupt some services, many essential programs will continue to operate.
What You Need to Know
✅ WHAT REMAINS OPERATIONAL
Public Safety & Health Services
- Emergency medical care
- Inpatient hospital services
- Air traffic control
- Border security
- Power grid maintenance
Mail Delivery
- USPS will continue normal operations.
Government Benefits
- Social Security
- SNAP (Food Stamps)
- WIC
- Veterans Affairs (VA) Benefits
Note: Some services, such as application processing, may experience delays.
⚠️PROGRAM-SPECIFIC IMPACTS
Medicare
- Replacement card requests will not be processed.
- Part C and Part D replacement cards are available through private insurers.
- Payments for services will continue.
Medicaid
- Coverage and payments remain active.
- Application processing may be delayed.
OPWDD (Office for People With Developmental Disabilities)
- Services and payments for New Yorkers with developmental disabilities are unaffected.
- New applications will continue to be processed.
SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program)
- Benefits and application processing will continue through October 2025.
- 🆕 Social Security Administration (SSA)
- SSI and Social Security payments continue.
- Field offices remain open.
- New Update (Post 5-Day Mark):
- Medical and work reviews are paused.
- Non-medical reviews (SSI redeterminations) are also paused.
- Medical appeals, including Continuing Disability Review (CDR) reconsiderations, are still being processed.
HEAP (Home Energy Assistance Program)
- OTDA has reported that applications are not yet being accepted. Please continue to check their website otda.ny.gov for the latest information.
State Supplement Program (SSP)
- Payments will continue.
- Changes and new applications processed through SSA will be paused.
Veterans Administration (VA)
- Payments and Tricare coverage remain unaffected.
- VA offices may operate with limited services.