Andrew Cuomo, the former governor running for mayor of New York City, said he will privately raise funds to support local food pantries if federal food stamp funding lapses.
Two judges ruled on Friday that the Trump administration must tap contingency funds to cover November benefits for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, which was slated to run out of money due to the monthlong government shutdown in Washington. Yet uncertainty looms over how quickly the payments can reach recipients this month, and the contingency fund is only expected to keep the program afloat for a few more weeks.
Cuomo, who is running as an independent after losing the Democratic primary for mayor to socialist Zohran Mamdani, promised to help if the food stamp program stops operating on Saturday.
“I also want to mention the SNAP funds run out on Nov. 1 if they don’t make a deal in Washington. Many families depend on SNAP for food, literally,” Cuomo said. “If they don’t make a deal on SNAP and the program doesn’t continue, I’m going to help raise money privately for food pantries because we’re not going to let New York go hungry.”
The former governor made the announcement from a campaign stop at Brighton Beach, just days before New York City voters hit the polls.
In 2024, about 20% of New York City’s population was enrolled in SNAP. The program provides food assistance to over 1 million of the city’s residents.
WHAT HAPPENS IF SNAP PAYMENTS STOP ON NOV. 1?
Approximately 14.7% of New York state’s population relied on SNAP benefits last year.
New York City will vote to elect its next mayor on Tuesday between Cuomo, Mamdani, and Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa. Mamdani currently holds a double-digit lead, according to recent polling.