SNAP Recipients To Receive Benefits Early Due To Government Shutdown.

Erie Co Department of Social Services is in communication with both New York State and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) about the impact a prolonged federal shutdown will have on Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. They are hoping to prevent a disruption of benefits for Erie County residents.

If you received a SNAP benefit in January and were scheduled to receive SNAP in February, your February benefits may be available on your EBT card on January 17th instead of on your scheduled February availability date.

This is your entire February benefit. This is not an extra SNAP benefit for January. You will not get any more benefits in February. So, it is important that you budget and spend your February benefit with that in mind.

If you completed your recertification for SNAP benefits in January and do not receive your February benefit on January 17th, this does not mean that you will not get a February benefit. Your February benefit should be available on February 1.

Currently, nothing else about SNAP has changed due to the federal government shutdown. All program requirements remain in place. If you get a recertification notice and application, or a periodic report form, please complete it and return it to us promptly so you may continue to receive SNAP benefits in the future. Your requirement to report changes to our Department has also not changed.