Yates County lawmakers are calling on Congress to avoid looming cuts to food and heating assistance that could hit vulnerable residents as winter approaches.
On Monday, the Legislature introduced a resolution urging federal leaders to maintain funding for SNAP and HEAP — two programs that help low-income New Yorkers afford groceries and heat their homes.
Without immediate action, SNAP benefits could be cut off starting November 1, and the opening of the HEAP season could be delayed. The resolution warns that such disruptions would cause “confusion, hardship, and administrative chaos” across counties already stretched thin.
“These programs are lifelines,” the resolution states, noting that funding gaps would not only hurt families but also ripple through local economies — impacting grocery stores, farmers’ markets, and small businesses that rely on SNAP and HEAP spending.
The Legislature is asking the USDA to use contingency funds to keep benefits going and has authorized the chair to sign a letter supporting continued federal funding. Copies will be sent to state and federal representatives, including Senator Schumer and Governor Hochul.
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