BINGHAMTON, N.Y. (WBNG) — Significant changes are coming to SNAP benefits in New York State on March 1st that could potentially impact hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers and millions of Americans.
Able-bodied adults without dependents ages 18 to 64 must work, volunteer, or participate in training for at least 80 hours a month to receive full benefits. Previously, these guidelines were in place for ages 18-54.
Work requirements for parents and caregivers now apply only to those caring for children under 14, reduced from under 18.
Matt Griffin, VP of Health and Community Impact for the Food Bank of the Southern Tier, worries about how this will impact older residents.
“You know thinking about people in their 60s and expanding that work requirement to a higher age, it’s going to make it difficult for, across the nation, millions of SNAP households,” Griffin said.
Griffin worries about the strain this will put on emergency food programs like food pantries.
“We’re concerned again that that would mean increased use of emergency food programs because of people not being able to receive SNAP,” he said.
Programs that Kermit Bossard of the Spencer-Van Etten Food Cupboard say have already been stretched thin.
“That our numbers coming to us in this small community, we had more people coming last year than we’ve ever had,” Bossard said.
According to the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance, nearly 3 million people and 1.7 million households receive SNAP benefits. It’s unknown how many of them may now be on the chopping block.
“We can not put more pressure on emergency food networks. It’s not designed for a long-term hunger relief effort without the help of SNAP,” Griffin said.
Agencies like Mary Turbush with the Broome County Office for the Aging have routinely been offering volunteer opportunities to seniors, and are now promoting those opportunities for people who may be in need of work come March first.
“When we heard that they were going to be changing the SNAP guidelines, we figured why not remind people and put it out there that if you need a volunteer experience, please reach out to us because we might be able to help you,” Turbush said.
While it’s unclear the exact number of New Yorkers who will be affected, officials are telling residents to reach out to their local Department of Social Services offices to see how they may be affected.
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date: 2026-02-13 20:07:00
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