Picente Announces Extended Hours For SNAP Assistance

County Executive Anthony J. Picente Jr. announced today that the Oneida County Department of Family and Community Services will be extending its hours to assist Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients affected by the Federal Government shutdown.

“Over 36,000 of our residents rely on SNAP to feed their families,” Picente said. “Any interruption to those benefits causes unnecessary upheaval in their lives and Oneida County Government is here to assist them through this ordeal in any way we can.”  

Beginning on November 4, the County’s Department of Family and Community Services (DFCS) will extend operating hours to 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Emergency aid is available and SNAP recipients and other residents in need of food or heating assistance are encouraged to apply for that aid at DFCS’s Utica and Rome offices. Intake will be conducted on-site to ensure timely support. Those with questions should reach out directly to DFCS at 315-798-5502 or SNAP@oneidacountyny.gov.

DFCS is continuing to accept all SNAP applications and process all recertifications of existing SNAP cases. When the Federal Government allows New York State to release funds, all pending SNAP applications will again be placed on clients’ EBT cards.

While Oneida County does not have the ability to directly place funding on EBT cards, Picente said provisions are being made to circumvent the impact any long-term benefit withholding will have on residents.

“There are measures we can take to help mitigate the strain on our people, and we stand ready to implement them should this manufactured crisis go on for an extended period of time,” Picente said. “We will continue to monitor this fluid situation and provide updates to those affected.”