Erie County warns SNAP & HEAP recipients to seek alternative assistance if federal shutdown drags on to November

Over 78,000 households at risk of losing SNAP benefits in Thanksgiving month; with winter approaching, HEAP funding still has not been allocated by Congress

Information Provided by the Office of Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz

Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz was joined Friday by Congressman Tim Kennedy, Deputy County Executive Lisa M. Chimera, First Deputy Commissioner of Social Services Daniel Szewc, Commissioner of the Department for the Aging Randy Hoak, and Collin Bishop of FeedMore WNY at the New Covenant Church Food Pantry in Tonawanda as Erie County. They were there to warn thousands of county residents who rely on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance (SNAP) and Home Energy Assistance (HEAP) programs to prepare to seek alternative food and energy assistance if the ongoing federal shutdown continues into November.

The Erie County Department of Social Services (ECDSS) warns that more than 78,000 households, representing more than 140,000 people, will not receive SNAP benefits in November if the shutdown continues until then, and they should plan immediately to seek alternative food assistance.

SNAP EBT benefits will not be issued by the state of New York for the month of November if the federal shutdown remains in place. For Erie County, that represents $27.5 million of SNAP assistance provided monthly, also meaning potentially $27.5 million will be removed from the economy if the shutdown continues until December.

SNAP applications and recertifications will continue to be processed as normal. ECDSS reminds all participating households to ensure they are available for interview appointments as scheduled to prevent any interruptions in future benefits after the shutdown. SNAP benefits will be issued when/if the federal budget is resolved.

The federal shutdown has also delayed the Nov. 1 opening of the 2025-26 HEAP season until federal funds are allocated by Congress. Households in need of HEAP are still encouraged to apply as normal, and payments will be issued when funding is allocated to the program.

“While November should be a month to plan on family get togethers around the Thanksgiving table, sadly this year many families are facing stark choices, and we are left with no choice but to warn our residents of the upcoming storm,” Poloncarz said.

“We recognize that suspension of SNAP EBT benefits for November, along with the delayed opening of the HEAP season, will be difficult for many households,” Szewc said. “Our team is dedicated to helping households access available resources and support during this time.”

The Department of Social Services will contact SNAP households directly with emergency food resource information. SNAP households should not come to 158 Pearl St., Buffalo, unless they need to drop off additional paperwork or are scheduled for an interview. Households in emergency need of food assistance may request a pantry referral through the ECDSS SNAP call center at 716-858-7239. Households may also find the nearest food pantries by calling 2-1-1 or by visiting www.211wny.org.

Households facing emergency utility shutoffs can apply in person for utility arrears benefits to avoid utility shutoffs at the Emergency Social Services Division, located at 158 Pearl St. (https://www3.erie.gov/temporaryassistance/utility-arrears).

The Erie County Department of Social Services has created a page with available resources, guidance and supports to help families, older adults and individuals with shutdown-related concerns.

The Erie County Department for the Aging is here to help ensure no older adult goes without nutritious meals, especially during times when benefits like SNAP may be reduced. The department offers a wide range of meal programs designed to meet the unique needs of older adults and their caregivers. The department also serves as the contracted agency through DSS to conduct outreach for seniors, who are often the primary participants in the HEAP program due to their low or fixed incomes. The department has already released its outreach schedule, which includes more than 40 events across Erie County. These outreaches will continue as planned, even though the HEAP program remains closed for an extended period.

“Our department is standing by to offer whatever resources and supports we can to older adults across the county,” Hoak said. “We encourage them to find out about everything we have to offer as soon as possible and plan accordingly.”

Through the Stay Fit Dining Program, individuals aged 60 and older can enjoy hot, healthy lunches in a welcoming, social setting at nearly 40 dining locations across Erie County. Meals are available weekdays, and while there is a suggested confidential contribution of $3.50, no one is ever turned away for inability to pay. Visit https://www3.erie.gov/aging/stay-fit-congregate-dining for more information.

For those who prefer the flexibility of meals at home, the frozen congregate meal program makes it easy to keep nutritious food on hand. You or your caregiver can pick up convenient 3-, 5-, 6-, 8- or 10-meal packs from participating locations to enjoy whenever needed. More information is available at https://www3.erie.gov/aging/frozen-congregate-meal-menu.

For older adults who are homebound, the department partners with trusted community organizations – including Amherst Meals on Wheels, KenTon Meals on Wheels, and FeedMore WNY – to provide home-delivered meals following a free initial home assessment. For more information, visit https://www3.erie.gov/aging/home-delivered-meals.

If you or a loved one needs help identifying which program is best, or you’re unsure about eligibility or how to access these services, the best thing to do is call our NY Connects – Erie County line at 716-858-8526. NY Connects is the department’s hotline service, staffed by live case managers who are available to assist older adults and caregivers with a wide range of needs – including benefits enrollment, housing assistance and community referrals.