NEW YORK (PIX11) -- Mayor Eric Adams announced that his administration has nearly cleared the backlog of SNAP and cash assistance applications that peaked last summer at over 50,000.
Officials said 97% of cash assistance applications and 90% of SNAP applications are now eliminated. Officials credited the improvement in investments in staffing and technology in clearing the backlogs.
Molly Wasow Park, commissioner of the New York City Department of Social Services, said it’s the result of a huge effort to help families during a time of historic levels of need.
"We have hired almost a thousand people in the last year and we invested in our technology to do this," Park said. "In total, we have processed more than 600,000 cases. A tremendous effort on behalf of low-income New Yorkers."
PIX11 News has extensively covered problems with reimbursements for victims of skimming. People stole SNAP benefits from EBT cards.
City officials told PIX11 News they have processed 65,000 claims for replacement benefits and have approved over $21 million in replacement benefits as of February 2024.
The deadline to submit your claims and get your stolen money back has been extended.
To apply for SNAP or cash assistance, visit this website. To submit a claim for replacement benefits, visit this website.