The New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance provides clarification of future SNAP, HEAP benefits.
ALBANY, N.Y. (WNYT)- The Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA) confirmed to NewsChannel 13 that November SNAP benefits have been fully paid, and December benefits will be issued on schedule. However, HEAP, that helps low-income New Yorkers with heating bills, is facing delays due to unreleased federal funds.
Related: Hochul says NY will fully fund SNAP benefits for November
The new Federal spending bill funds SNAP through the end of the federal fiscal year 2026, ensuring no interruptions, but the earliest the HEAP program can open is Nov. 24, says OTDA.
According to OTDA, Gov. Kathy Hochul has urged the federal government to release HEAP funds since Oct. 22. Most HEAP recipients receive assistance through automatic payments, which must be processed before applications open.
Related: Rally protesting lapse in SNAP benefits and food drive held in Albany Sunday
New York is preparing to open HEAP applications on Nov. 24, with automatic payments being programmed in advance. The payments won’t be released until federal funds arrive.
If funds aren’t received by Nov. 24, the program’s opening will be postponed again. OTDA says the state will be ready to open applications within 48 hours of receiving the grant.
Information on the HEAP program can be found on OTDA’s website.
