Raga Slams $186B SNAP Cuts: “A Direct Attack on New York’s Most Vulnerable

New York City — A wave of concern is sweeping across New York as community leaders and advocates sound the alarm over sweeping cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) that are expected to plunge millions deeper into food insecurity.

New York State Assemblymember Steven Raga condemned the recently passed federal legislation slashing $186 billion in SNAP funding over the next decade, calling the move “morally indefensible” and “financially reckless.” The cuts will impact more than 40 million Americans, including hundreds of thousands of vulnerable families in New York.

“New Yorkers are bracing for massive cuts to food assistance that will deepen hunger and hardship across our state,” said Raga, who represents Queens. “These changes are especially devastating for families already struggling with skyrocketing costs of living.”

The legislation will significantly reduce monthly SNAP benefits—by an average of $100—for over half a million low-income households in New York. In addition, children will lose access to free school meals and summer Electronic Benefit Transfers (EBT), a program that has served as a critical nutritional lifeline during school breaks.

Perhaps most alarming are the new restrictions placed on eligibility exemptions. Longstanding waivers for caregivers, individuals with chronic illnesses, and older adults will be severely limited, leaving many without the safety net they depend on to survive.

“These cuts threaten decades of hard-fought progress in the battle against hunger,” Raga continued. “We must reaffirm our commitment to protect our most vulnerable and ensure every New Yorker has the basic human right to food.”

Hunger relief organizations across the state are already anticipating a surge in demand as families brace for reduced benefits. According to Feeding America, one in nine New Yorkers struggles with food insecurity—a number advocates fear will rise dramatically in the coming months.

Raga urged both federal and state leaders to act swiftly to mitigate the damage, calling for emergency funding, expanded local assistance programs, and increased support for food banks and school meal initiatives.

“This is not the time to turn our backs on struggling families,” Raga said. “It is the time to stand up, speak out, and ensure that no child, no senior, no neighbor in New York goes hungry.”