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County human services warns of shortfalls in HEAP, day care and SNAP changes
Summary
Human services staff told Greene County legislators that federal and state funding uncertainties — including a possible federal shutdown and changes to SNAP work rules — could reduce HEAP and SNAP assistance and force cuts to child-care subsidies, while an MOU with Catholic Charities to manage volunteer mileage was approved.
Human services staff told Greene County legislators on Oct. 14 that programs serving low-income residents face multiple near-term risks, including uncertainty about HEAP funding, reduced day-care allocations and a change in SNAP rules for able-bodied adults without dependents.
A human services staff member said a federal funding pause had left the department unsure whether the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) would operate this winter. “The state sent out 980 applications… we got 390 of those back,” the staff member said, adding that if HEAP is not available the same households would be served through emergency public assistance that requires a 45-minute interview and full resource review.
The department also reported a shortfall in its day-care allocation, calling the current monthly spending level “over $132,000 per month” and saying the county had been closing cases since October. The staff member said some clients who had found permanent housing were at risk of losing help that allows them to remain employed. The speaker said a fair hearing is scheduled for one affected case and that there is no additional money currently available.
On SNAP, staff described the end of a long-standing waiver for able-bodied adults without dependents (ABAWDs). Under the changed rules, new applications from Nov. 1 will be evaluated under tightened work-participation requirements; previously eligible applicants will have a three-month grace period before the new rules apply, and the first reportable month will be December. The staff member testified that roughly 3,693 local SNAP recipients were in the county’s caseload and estimated about 600–700 people could be affected by the rule change, while noting final counts require case-by-case review.
The county also discussed how a prolonged federal shutdown could impair SNAP payments nationally and locally. “If the government doesn't reopen, there will not be money to fund the SNAP benefit for November,” the staff member warned, citing national and local caseload figures.
Legislators voted during the same meeting to authorize a memorandum of understanding between Greene County Department of Human Services and Catholic Charities to shift volunteer-reimbursement administration to the nonprofit. County staff said Catholic Charities has grant funding for a volunteer coordinator and that the county contract would reimburse volunteer mileage (historical spending indicated up to about $80,000 annually for volunteer mileage). Officials said the MOU term was written for five years but Catholic Charities had a three-year grant; the county can cancel the arrangement if expectations are not met.
Why this matters: HEAP, child-care subsidies and SNAP are core safety-net programs used by low-income and homeless residents. Funding gaps or changed program rules could force recipients to lose benefits or return to homelessness, according to the department’s presentation.
The county said staff are reviewing individual cases and coordinating with workforce development and other local partners about jobs and supports, but transportation and placement remain obstacles for some residents.
No statutory citations were presented with the department’s remarks; program rules described were stated by staff as federal- or state-administered program changes rather than county policy.
Upcoming steps: staff said they will continue case reviews and notify affected households, pursue fair hearings where needed, and implement the MOU with Catholic Charities for volunteer mileage reimbursement.
