Topics Social Services
‘Blindsided’ Counties Struggle to Implement Trump’s SNAP Work Rules

Hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers could lose their food benefits due to new SNAP work requirements, after the Trump administration phased them in months earlier than expected.

Jie Jenny Zou   ·   November 10, 2025
Three checks for an unknown amount fanned out across the logo for the Office of Addiction Services and Supports.
Opioid Settlement Advisors Say Hochul Administration is Keeping Them in the Dark

The board overseeing opioid lawsuit settlements is raising the alarm that New York could use the funds, which are meant to expand substance abuse initiatives, to backfill federal cuts.

Jie Jenny Zou   ·   November 7, 2025
A calendar with November 1 circled, in front of a photo of the United States Capitol and a document showing the new SNAP work rules.
SNAP Is Set To Be Frozen in November. Here’s What New Yorkers Need to Know.

The federal government shutdown and new work requirements will throw New York’s food stamps program into chaos.

Jie Jenny Zou   ·   October 30, 2025
Climate Advocates ‘Haunt’ State Meeting, Demanding Energy Efficiency Funds

Governor Kathy Hochul has yet to indicate whether, or how, New York might plug a funding hole for Empower+, a key energy affordability program.

Colin Kinniburgh   ·   October 23, 2025
Who’s In Hochul’s Mystery Universal Child Care Coalition?

Hochul appears to have snubbed advocates, providers, and unions, while they try to figure out how serious she is about universal child care.

Julia Rock   ·   October 21, 2025
Lawmakers, Top Judges Push to Expand Mental Health Courts

Statewide diversion courts could keep thousands out of jail, but they’ll need more investments in treatment to succeed.

Eliza Fawcett   ·   October 17, 2025
Surprise Trump Move Will Upend New York Food Stamps

New York counties thought they had months to prepare to implement SNAP work requirements. Now, they have weeks.

Jie Jenny Zou   ·   October 9, 2025
Whatever Happened With the State’s ‘Migrant Relocation’ Program?

The initiative to resettle asylum seekers outside New York City reached half the targeted number of familes. ICE has deported some participants.

Isabelle Taft   ·   September 29, 2025
The State Spent Millions to Resettle Asylum Seekers. ICE Is Arresting Them.

The Migrant Relocation Assistance Program helped families leave crowded shelters and put down roots. Trump’s immigration crackdown is upending that.

Isabelle Taft   ·   September 29, 2025
In Brief: New York’s Essential Plan

Massive changes are coming to the state’s comprehensive, low-cost healthcare plan.

Jie Jenny Zou   ·   September 26, 2025
Photo collage of a desk with a notepad and voice recorder in a newsroom.
Home Care Employer Walks Back Testimony, Fueling Concerns of Rigged $11 Billion Contract

A PPL vice president admitted pre-contract talks between the company and New York’s health department, after denying it under oath last month.

Sam Mellins   ·   September 5, 2025
Trump at a press conference
New York Immigrants Weigh Health and Hunger Against Deportation Risk

Trump’s immigration crackdown is having a chilling effect on New Yorkers’ access to public benefits.

Jie Jenny Zou   ·   September 3, 2025
The NYC City Hall
Councilmembers Demand NYPD Halt its Public Housing Surveillance Expansion, Following New York Focus Reporting

“New Yorkers did not agree to trade their right to privacy for the promise of free internet,” key committee chairs wrote to city officials.

Zachary Groz   ·   August 25, 2025
Progressive Lawmakers Urge Special Session to Address Trump’s Cuts, Breaking from Top Democrats

Whether legislators should return to Albany this year to tackle historic cuts to Medicaid and food assistance has become a thorny political question.

Jie Jenny Zou   ·   August 14, 2025
A NYPD camera set against a public housing building
Adams Quietly Uses Free Internet at NYCHA to Expand Police Surveillance

The Adams administration is using its flagship broadband program to give police real-time access to NYCHA camera feeds — without telling anyone.

Zachary Groz   ·   August 11, 2025
21 Counties Have Closed Applications for New York’s Biggest Child Care Affordability Program

There are 1,500 families on the program waitlist in New York City alone, new state data shows.

Julia Rock   ·   August 8, 2025
A silhouette of an elderly person sitting alone in a chair in a warm living room. Cracks appear over the image, indicating precarity.
Trump’s Assault on Social Services Is Taking Aim at New York’s Elderly

Poverty rates among New York’s aging population are rising as the federal government pares back support for longstanding social service programs.

Jie Jenny Zou   ·   August 7, 2025
‘Worse Than I’ve Ever Seen’: New York Among Slowest States to Pay Unemployment Benefits

And the delays have gotten worse in recent months.

Julia Rock   ·   July 25, 2025
Why Won’t New York Lawmakers Call a Special Session to Address Trump’s Cuts?

Fiscal advocates warn the governor and state lawmakers against punting a difficult discussion on how to deal with imminent cuts.

Jie Jenny Zou   ·   July 24, 2025
A video still of Labor Commissioner Roberta Reardon with a caption reading, "We hear you and the DOL is here to help you."
Does Anyone Answer New York’s Unemployment Hotline?

One week in June, only a third of the people who called the Labor Department’s unemployment help line reached a real person.

Julia Rock   ·   July 14, 2025
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