On Monday, Governor Kathy Hochul signed a bill that will allow homeless, elderly, and disabled SNAP recipients to use their benefits at participating eateries for prepared or hot food.
The $25 million Restaurant Resiliency Program will assist the restaurant sector as it continues to recover from the COVID-19 Pandemic.
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Governor Hochul said, “It’s unconscionable that in a state as prosperous as New York, many residents still struggle to get enough food to feed their families. The vital actions we’re taking—establishing two restaurant programs to help the most vulnerable New Yorkers feed themselves and help restaurants recover from this terrible pandemic—will work in tandem to put food on the table in homes across the state. This pandemic continues to impact the wallets and homes of a vast number of New Yorkers, and we’re taking any and all actions to help them support themselves and their loved ones.”
The Restaurant Meals Program needs approval from the USDA before it can be used.
Once approved, it will let people use their SNAP benefits on hot and prepared food from participating delis and restaurants and help the homeless, disabled, and elderly populations the most.
