The city has eliminated its lengthy backlog of applicants seeking SNAP and cash assistance, the Department of Social Services (DSS) announced Monday.
According to DSS, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and cash assistance program peaked in summer 2023 with some 50,000 low-income New Yorkers receiving benefits. However, 46,000 cash assistance applicants and 4,000 SNAP applicants were left on the waiting list hoping to receive aid. The backlog also led to a court order issued in August 2023 mandating that the city come into compliance and resolve the open applications by March 2024.