March 1, 2019 -- On January 17, 2019, at the request of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), recurring Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits for the month of February were issued early, in light of the federal government shutdown. This caused concern that the extended length of time between January 17, and the regular issuance date for March SNAP benefits, would cause a financial hardship on families. To alleviate this hardship, the Westchester County Department of Social Services (DSS) is issuing all SNAP benefits to participants for the month of March, on March 1. Normally, SNAP benefits are issued at any point over the first nine calendar days of each month.
Commissioner of the Westchester County Department of Social Services Kevin McGuire said: “SNAP benefits are essential to supplementing the many services we provide to children, families and other adults in our community. We are pleased to partner with New York State to provide the March benefits early this month. Everyone needs to eat and adjusting the SNAP issuance schedule assures that people can put food on the table for themselves and their families every day this month.”
The compressed SNAP schedule does not affect the Temporary Assistance benefits issuance schedule, which will be issued at their normal time. The Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA) has developed a Public Notice Poster to inform SNAP households that all recurring SNAP benefits for March will be made available on March 1. The Public Notice Poster will be displayed in both English and Spanish at DSS District Offices across Westchester County.
SNAP recipients are welcome to visit any of Westchester County’s DSS District Offices for assistance. They can also call the Westchester County Case Management Information Center at (914) 995-3333.