SNAP Benefits Lapse: Monitoring the Impact on Older Adults and Aging Services Providers
(Nov. 4, 2025) As reported by LeadingAge, late in the day on Oct. 31st, a federal judge in Rhode Island ordered the Trump administration to use billions of dollars in contingency funds to keep Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits flowing, at least partially.
There is roughly $4.6 billion in the contingency fund that can be used to cover November benefit payments; however, officials have said that fully covering those benefits would require roughly $9 billion. Additionally, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) wrote in its declaration to the federal court in Rhode Island that there could be “payment errors and significant delays” as state eligibility systems are adjusted for the reduced payments.
For those affordable senior housing properties operating a mandatory meal program through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) – some of which accept resident payments through SNAP – HUD has made LeadingAge-requested financial relief available to temporarily cover the cost of meal program operations using both Residual Receipts and Reserve for Replacement accounts. The agency is in direct communication with housing providers operating meal programs to make them aware of the flexibilities, and members can also reach out to LeadingAge for additional clarity.
In NY, Governor Kathy Hochul has issued a statement calling the Trump administration’s decision not to fully fund SNAP “indefensible.” Governor Hochul is fast-tracking over $100 million in state funds to keep food banks and pantries open, but has noted that this assistance will only go so far in meeting the food-related needs of the 3 million New Yorkers who started this month without critical federal food assistance. The Governor is also deploying Empire State Service Corps and State University of NY (SUNY) Corps members to support local food banks during this declared state of emergency and continuing to explore food hubs at schools.
Affordable senior housing providers and other aging services providers rely on federal appropriations to operate critical programs for older adults beyond SNAP, including HUD’s housing programs, the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP), some of the Older Americans Act meals and services programs, and more. As winter approaches, some states are warning recipients, including millions of older adults, that energy assistance funds for assistance through HEAP – which usually begins in early November – may not be available because of the government shutdown.
HEAP programs are often oversubscribed, most states do not have enough funds left over from the year to fund the benefits beyond November, and there is not a contingency fund in the event of an appropriations lapse.
LeadingAge and LeadingAge NY are closely monitoring the SNAP benefits lapse, threats to HEAP, and the impact on affordable housing communities. LeadingAge NY is committed to advocacy to ensure that emergency resources are available and accessible to older adults, and encourages members to report impacts of the lapse in SNAP benefits – or threats to other federal assistance programs, like HEAP – on their residents to Annalyse K. Denio.
Contact: Annalyse Komoroske Denio, akomoroskedenio@leadingageny.org, 518-867-8866