SNAP Benefits For the Month of Feb. Preserved

NEW CITY – County Executive Ed Day and Commissioner of Social Services Joan Silvestri announced that most recipients of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits will receive their full February benefits early, due to the ongoing federal government shutdown.

Current SNAP recipients may receive their February benefits as early as Thursday, January 17. Most recipients will receive their entire February benefit early, so it is important for SNAP recipients to budget accordingly considering the ongoing federal shutdown. SNAP recipients who do not receive their benefits as part of the early issuance, will receive them on February 1.

“Rockland residents receiving their February SNAP benefits early need to carefully budget the use of these funds as they will need to last until the end of February,” said Commissioner Silvestri. “SNAP serves as the first line of defense against hunger, making sure clients receive their benefits is critically important.”

15,000 Rockland residents receive just under $7 million a month in benefits. These benefits are certified by the Department of Social Services (DSS) on a rotating annual basis with around 1,250 clients being recertified every month.

In order for residents to have been eligible to receive their February benefits all February recertification needed to be completed by the evening of Tuesday, January 15 instead of their regular February 1st due date.

Employees of the Department of Social Services were redeployed from other tasks and worked considerable overtime to successfully complete the recertification process for Rockland residents.

“DSS employees once again have gone above and beyond in service to our residents,” said County Executive Ed Day. “I commend Commissioner Silvestri and her team for doing everything possible to ensure that all SNAP recipients get their February benefits.”

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has instructed states to issue full February benefits early. This not an “extra” or “bonus” benefit and households will not receive a second benefit for the month of February.

SNAP benefits are issued through an Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) Card. Residents with questions about SNAP benefits should call the Department of Social Services at 845-364-3032.