What to know about the SNAP food assistance program set to end Saturday

Federal funding for a critical food assistance program, used by 42 million Americans, including nearly 3 million New Yorkers, is set to run dry as the U.S. government shutdown stretches on.

Funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, formerly known as food stamps, will expire on Saturday, creating a massive hole in the nutrition safety net for the most vulnerable Americans.

With Democrats and Republicans seemingly unwilling to budge from their position on ending the shutdown, here's what Long Islanders should know about the impending deadline and what efforts are underway to assist those most in need.

What is SNAP and why is the program's funding in jeopardy?

SNAP benefits help about 1 in 8 Americans purchase groceries using debit cards funded each month by the federal government, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Nearly 40% of SNAP beneficiaries are children and another 30% are elderly or disabled, USDA figures show. The average monthly benefit is $187 per person and most recipients have incomes at or below the poverty level, according to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities.

The lack of funding, however, will not hit all recipients at once, as many recipients receive their benefits scattered throughout the month.

Is there money available to continue funding SNAP benefits?

It depends who you ask. 

The USDA said in September its shutdown plan included using $5.5 billion in contingency funds, set aside by lawmakers to be used during funding lapses, to keep SNAP operating. The money would be enough to pay SNAP benefits for more than half a month.

But in a memo last week, the USDA reversed course and said it would not draw on the emergency fund, arguing the reserves are limited to expenses such as disaster relief.

Meanwhile, a coalition of 25 state leaders, including state Attorney General Letitia James, announced on Tuesday they were suing the USDA and that the administration is legally required to keep benefits flowing as long as it has funding.

SNAP benefits have been distributed during previous government shutdowns, including the longest in history during President Donald Trump's first term.

 Are any efforts underway to assist SNAP beneficiaries?

 A number of states, led by both Democrats and Republicans, are scrambling to assist beneficiaries although the USDA insists states will not be reimbursed for temporarily picking up costs.

On Tuesday, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced she was making $30 million in emergency funding available for food banks, whose funding also has been cut by the USDA — enough to pay for more than 16 million meals.

Meanwhile, U.S. senators from both parties have sponsored stand-alone legislation to fund SNAP in November although a vote on the bills has not been scheduled.

Are other programs at risk?

More than 130 Head Start preschool programs also won’t receive their federal grants beginning on Nov. 1.

In addition, the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children program, which assists more than 6 million low-income mothers, young children and expectant parents to purchase items such as baby formula, fruits and vegetables, could run out of funds as early as Nov. 8. Earlier this month, WIC received $300 million from the administration, but officials said those funds were now running out.

Saturday is also the day new work requirements go into effect for hundreds of thousands of SNAP recipients between the ages of 18 and 64.

Adult recipients who live with a child under the age of 14, are not pregnant or caring for someone who cannot care for themselves or who do not have a physical or mental barrier to employment will need to prove they spend at least 80 hours every month working or in training programs.

By Robert Brodsky

robert.brodsky@newsday.com@BrodskyRobert

Robert Brodsky is a breaking news reporter who has worked at Newsday since 2011. He is a Queens College and American University alum.