How Many People In WNY Rely On SNAP Benefits?
There are new rules for SNAP beneficiaries. The tax cuts extended to billionaires need to be paid for and the federal governement is choosing to reduce social services for those in need to make sure the wealthy get to keep more of their money.
The Fiscal Policy Institute, says that New York State would need to allocate $2.1 billion each year to funding SNAP in order to maintain current benefits.
"3.5 million New Yorkers – 18 percent of the state population – depend on SNAP benefits, which average $209 per month for a participant (about $2,500 per year). The OBBBA would threaten SNAP benefits for over 1 million New Yorkers, including 363,000 children."
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Can Illegal Immigrants Get SNAP?
Many people who support cutting SNAP claim that illegal immigrants are getting all of the SNAP benefits. However, even in New York, they cannot receive SNAP benefits. SNAP is a federally funded program administered by states. According to the SNAP benefits website, only immigrants who are in New York lawfully can receive SNAP benefits, not undocumented immigrants.
"Only U.S. citizens and certain lawfully present non-citizens may receive SNAP benefits. SNAP is not and has never been available to undocumented non-citizens."
The following legally present non-citizens are eligible for SNAP benefits with no waiting period:
- Refugees
- Individuals granted asylum
- Victims of severe trafficking
- Deportation withheld
- Amerasians
- Cuban and Haitian entrants
- Iraqi and Afghan special immigrants (SIV)
- Certain American Indians born abroad
- Hmong or Highland Laotian tribal members
- Compacts of Free Association (COFA) citizens of the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Republic of Palau
The following legally-present non-citizens are eligible for SNAP benefits after a five-year waiting period:
- Lawful permanent residents (LPR) or Green Card holders
- Those granted parole for a period of at least one year
- Conditional entrants
- Battered non-citizens
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How Many People In WNY Get SNAP?
Two counties in Western New York are among the top 9 counties in New York that receive SNAP benefits. There are a whole lot of people who get SNAP in WNY and could possibly face hunger due to new rules put in place by the current administration. A total of 326,958 individuals receive SNAP in WNY as of June 2025.
10. Wyoming County - 2,411
9. Genesee - 4,727
8. Orleans - 5,216
7. Livingston - 5,219
6. Allegany - 5,238
5. Cattaraugus - 10,461
4. Chautauqua - 23,438
3. Niagara - 26,956
2. Monroe County - 107,583
1. Erie County - 140,925
