Door-to-door outreach targets SNAP recipients at risk of losing benefits
The Mamdani administration deployed outreach teams across New York City, including in Mott Haven, to inform residents who may be at immediate risk of losing their food assistance.
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Residents in the South Bronx are being urged to act quickly if they rely on Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, as a key deadline tied to new federal work requirements has passed.
The Mamdani administration deployed outreach teams across New York City, including in Mott Haven, to inform residents who may be at immediate risk of losing their food assistance.
Workers with the Mayor’s Office of Public Engagement, under the newly established Mayor's Office of Mass Engagement, went door to door, using lists provided by the Department of Social Services to identify households that could be affected.
“We’re here because there are changes to the food stamp rules,” said Kathy Perez-White, a canvasser with the unit. “Now, folks need to meet new requirements.”
The new rules, implemented earlier this year, apply to adults between the ages of 18 and 64 who are considered able to work. To maintain SNAP benefits, recipients must complete at least 80 hours of qualifying work per month. That can include paid employment, volunteering, schooling or participation in job training programs.
City officials say many residents may not yet be aware of the changes, which makes outreach efforts critical.
“It’s very important that folks are aware that these changes are happening because it can affect their household,” Perez-White said. “A lot of people depend on these benefits in order to survive.”
Throughout the day, outreach teams knocked on doors and spoke with residents. They left informational flyers when no one answered. The materials include guidance on how to remain eligible and where to seek help.
Perez-White said the effort extends beyond in-person visits.
“When we do the phone banking, some folks will say, ‘I did see the flyer on my door, and we took the necessary steps,’” she said.
Officials are encouraging anyone with questions to call the city’s SNAP assistance hotline at 718-SNAP-NOW.
The outreach push comes as advocates warn that missing the new requirements could result in thousands of residents losing access to food assistance — a crucial safety net for many low-income households.
Meanwhile, outside City Hall, advocacy groups rallied this week, calling on the mayor to restore funding for the NYC Benefits program in the city’s budget.
The program connects residents with counselors who help them apply for SNAP and other public benefits. Advocates say it plays a key role in ensuring eligible households do not lose assistance due to complicated application processes.
According to advocates, the program costs approximately $9.75 million annually to operate and was not initially included in the current budget proposal.
City officials say they plan to fund the program in upcoming fiscal years, but long-term funding has not yet been guaranteed.
