New York's Attorney General Letitia James witnessed firsthand the devastating effects of delayed SNAP benefits during the federal government shutdown. On Monday, she visited the Christian Fellowship Seventh-Day Adventist Church in East Flatbush, Brooklyn, where the lines for food have grown longer by the day.
The visit came just days after a federal judge ordered the Trump administration to use emergency funds to keep the program going this month. Although the ruling ensures some aid will resume, the administration has announced that only partial payments will be issued, leaving many uncertain about when they'll receive their benefits and how much their families will receive.
"I've been traveling all throughout the city and parts of upstate, and what I've seen are lines of women, men, and children standing in line for food," James said. "And the problem, unfortunately, has only gotten worse." The delay is taking a toll on communities already struggling to make ends meet.
For Ali McKinnon, who relies on food banks after failing to qualify for SNAP, the situation is dire. "It's going to start chaos," he warned. "And if people ain't got nowhere to leave, and they can't eat, it's going to start chaos. We don't need that right now." The 30-year-old lives in a shelter and hopes his line at the soup kitchen won't get any longer.
Raymond Cuevas, who has been relying on SNAP benefits since he was forced back into work after being diagnosed with cancer, is equally concerned about how the White House's actions are affecting low-income families. "People are deciding between insurance for their car or food for their kids," he said. "God is watching."
Congressmember Yvette Clarke and Assemblymember Monique Chandler-Waterman joined James at the soup kitchen, where they expressed outrage over the administration's delay in issuing benefits. "It is stunning to see how far they'll drag their feet when they have the chance to stop Americans from literally going hungry," Clarke said.
The USDA did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the situation, but James and her colleagues are urging lawmakers to find a solution as soon as possible. With the federal shutdown dragging on, the consequences for those relying on SNAP benefits will only become more severe unless swift action is taken to resolve the crisis.
The visit came just days after a federal judge ordered the Trump administration to use emergency funds to keep the program going this month. Although the ruling ensures some aid will resume, the administration has announced that only partial payments will be issued, leaving many uncertain about when they'll receive their benefits and how much their families will receive.
"I've been traveling all throughout the city and parts of upstate, and what I've seen are lines of women, men, and children standing in line for food," James said. "And the problem, unfortunately, has only gotten worse." The delay is taking a toll on communities already struggling to make ends meet.
For Ali McKinnon, who relies on food banks after failing to qualify for SNAP, the situation is dire. "It's going to start chaos," he warned. "And if people ain't got nowhere to leave, and they can't eat, it's going to start chaos. We don't need that right now." The 30-year-old lives in a shelter and hopes his line at the soup kitchen won't get any longer.
Raymond Cuevas, who has been relying on SNAP benefits since he was forced back into work after being diagnosed with cancer, is equally concerned about how the White House's actions are affecting low-income families. "People are deciding between insurance for their car or food for their kids," he said. "God is watching."
Congressmember Yvette Clarke and Assemblymember Monique Chandler-Waterman joined James at the soup kitchen, where they expressed outrage over the administration's delay in issuing benefits. "It is stunning to see how far they'll drag their feet when they have the chance to stop Americans from literally going hungry," Clarke said.
The USDA did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the situation, but James and her colleagues are urging lawmakers to find a solution as soon as possible. With the federal shutdown dragging on, the consequences for those relying on SNAP benefits will only become more severe unless swift action is taken to resolve the crisis.
. It's just not right that they're having to stand in line for food and unsure when they'll get their next payment 
. The federal government shutdown has already put a huge strain on our communities, and now this is the final blow? I feel like we need some real leadership to figure out a solution ASAP 
. The fact that people are having to choose between paying for food or insurance for their kids is just heartbreaking 
. We need to do better than this.
. I get that we need to balance budgets and all that, but food banks aren't a permanent solution, you know? And what about the health impacts of going without food for extended periods? That's just crazy 
. I'm not saying we should just give everyone free food forever, but come on, let's find a way to get these benefits out ASAP so people can breathe a little easier 
. This is all too much for anyone to handle.
anywaiz at leazt sum1s doin somethin bout it, like congressmember Clarke, she's all "hey, let's not let ppl starve" & im all here 4 dat 
i wish dey cud just find a way 2 resolve dis crisis ASAP so these ppl can start livin normal lives again 
. I mean, can you imagine having to decide between paying rent or feeding your kids? It's just not right that they're being forced to choose like this 
. I wish more people in power would listen to the concerns of these families instead of just trying to save a buck 
. It's not rocket science, folks!
its so sad that people are having to decide between food and car insurance rn how r they supposed 2 take care of their families if they cant even get their benefits on time? 
it's heartbreaking to think about families having to choose between food for their kids or insurance for their cars 
and btw what even is the deal with people having to choose between food & car insurance? 
The lines at food banks r getting longer by the day & it's gonna start chaos if we don't do somethin' about it ASAP 
My cousin's friend was supposed to get benefits but they delayed 'em so she had to choose between paying her rent or buying food 
. I remember when I was struggling to make ends meet after losing my job 
, it was tough enough just paying the bills on time. Now, imagine having to wait weeks or even months for food and other essentials 
. I remember when my grandma used to get help from the soup kitchen back in the day, it was a lifeline. Nowadays it feels like they're all about paper work and politics instead of people 
.
I'm really worried about people in Brooklyn who are struggling with food banks 
. I think we should cut the admin some slack 
!
, but like what's taking the Feds so long to figure this out?! 
I mean, a federal judge orders them to use emergency funds and they're still dragging their feet? Get it together, guys! 
And can we talk about how messed up it is that people have to stand in line for food at a church? Like, shouldn't everyone have access to basic human necessities without having to beg?! 
Anyway, let's hope someone in power finally steps up and solves this ASAP 
. I feel so bad for the families who are already dealing with so much. Let's hope Congress can get together and figure something out ASAP, like, before it gets even worse 
.
Fast forward to today and it's just more of the same – politicians playing politics and people suffering.
I'm all for holding folks accountable, but sometimes it feels like we're just spinning our wheels.
. what if ppl cant afford food 2 feed their kids or themselves? it's not just a numbers game, its human lives at stake 
.