Policy updates & resources
Every two weeks, LiveOn NY distributes a policy update collecting updates on federal, state, and city aging policy. See below for our latest policy update.
Interested in receiving these updates by email each week? Sign up via the form below.
Policy Update for 10/31/2025
Received this email from a colleague? Subscribe to our mailing list here for biweekly updates.
SNAP & HEAP Updates
SNAP: As reported in POLITICO just this afternoon, Secretary Rollins has announced that the USDA will require all SNAP beneficiaries to re-apply due to “fraud”. There are no details as to deadlines or process. As we learn more, we will keep you updated. As of today 11/14, New York State has issued full SNAP benefits to all eligible households. SNAP households should continue to complete all SNAP requirements, and new applications for SNAP will continue to be accepted. More information can be found here: NYS OTDA For State by State updates on November allocations click on FRAC’s spreadsheet here.
HEAP: Although the federal shutdown has ended, HEAP funds are still expected to take several weeks to reach New York. The Public Service Commission (PSC) approved a one-year halt on disenrollment from the state’s Energy Affordability Program for major utilities (with LIPA–PSEG expected to follow), extended the acceptable age of benefit award letters to 18 months, and directed submetering companies to stop removing low-income customers. Advocates note ongoing concerns about disconnections and limited relief options, especially for households relying on deliverable fuels.
Read this op-ed from the Public Utility Law Project on the urgency of this issue.
Federal Updates
End to Shutdown: The government shutdown has finally ended after 43 days. In New York, SNAP benefits have already been fully disbursed, but in states where SNAP was not paid for by state governments recipients will receive benefits by Monday. Air traffic restrictions are being eased, with travel during the Thanksgiving holiday likely to proceed smoothly. Please see this article from NPR yesterday afternoon which lays out how federal programs are being turned on. See also here for the National Council on Nonprofits Statement.
Healthcare Access: As reported by Medicare Rights Center here: According to the Medicare Rights Center, Congress passed—and the president signed—a continuing resolution funding the government through January 30, 2026, with extensions for Medicare telehealth, hospital-at-home authority, and SNAP through September 30, 2026. However, the deal again leaves out extensions of ACA Marketplace tax credits, a core issue in the shutdown fight. Medicare Rights warns that allowing these credits to expire will increase the number of uninsured, strain safety-net providers, destabilize insurance markets, and raise costs for millions, including people nearing Medicare eligibility. See this map from Center for Budget and Policy Priorities showing the extreme increase in Marketplace premiums.
HUD Budget: HUD is advancing a dramatic shift in its Continuum of Care program that would cut permanent supportive housing funding by nearly two-thirds and redirect dollars to short-term programs tied to work and treatment requirements—a move that, according to internal estimates reported by POLITICO and the New York Times, could put more than 170,000 people nationwide, including 13,000 New Yorkers, at risk of losing their homes. With grant cycles set to lapse before new awards are issued, many programs may temporarily lose all funding during the coldest months of 2026, potentially displacing long-time supportive housing residents—older adults, veterans, survivors of domestic violence, and families—who have spent years rebuilding their lives. See analysis of the impact in NY from the Support Housing Network of New York (SHNNY) here.
Social Security COLA: The Social Security Administration announced a 2.8% increase for the 2026 Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA). See here. See also Justice in Aging’s issue brief: Social Security is Vital to Americans Nationwide.
State Updates
State Budget Update: New York’s fiscal outlook has improved after months of uncertainty. According to recent info here - HR1 created a $3 billion hole in next year’s budget by ending key health care subsidies for lawfully present migrants, though the damage was partially offset by unexpectedly strong tax receipts. Income tax revenues came in far higher than projected — $2.6 billion above estimates this year and $5.3 billion above next year’s. As a result, the state’s projected budget gap for FY26 has been revised down from $7.5 billion to $4.2 billion. While still significant, Budget Director Blake Washington described the gap as “manageable” during the state’s annual Quick Start budget meeting, noting that the stronger revenue picture puts the state in a better position heading into next year’s negotiations.
Age Strong New York Campaign: LiveOn and our Age Strong partners are gearing up for the State budget cycle. The campaign centers on three pillars and identifies seven MPA proposals to advance this legislative session. We are also supporting bills on EISEP modernization, elder parole, strengthening guardianship, SCRIE/DRIE improvement and protection, preventing elder financial abuse, SNAP skimming, and more. See core information here. Sign-on opportunities and more info to come in the coming weeks
Fight for Food Access for All New Yorkers: On November 18, join the SNAP4All New York Coalition in urging Governor Hochul to include a state-funded food benefit program in her FY27 Executive Budget. This critical program would support 41,000 individuals with newly excluded immigration statuses under H.R. 1, and 65,000 households with children identified by the Child Poverty Reduction Advisory Council (CPRAC) as excluded. Call script is here.
NYS Black Task Force $30 Million Funding: Contracts for this funding are now moving forward, and the Task Force is finalizing the application process with its fiscal conduits. While dates and details are not yet confirmed, we encourage interested organizations to start preparing now. Complete the Community-Based Organization Interest Form to ensure your information is on file.
City Updates
LiveOn’s statement congratulating Mayor-Elect Mamdani can be found here. LiveOn – in partnership with our Age Strong coalition – will be providing transition materials as Age Strong enters its second year. More to come…
Mayoral Transition: Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani announced two key appointments to his incoming administration, signaling his intent to balance seasoned governance expertise with progressive leadership.
Dean Fuleihan, a veteran of both city and state government and former First Deputy Mayor under Bill de Blasio, will reprise that role, bringing decades of fiscal and operational experience.
Elle Bisgaard-Church, a long-time ally, former Chief of Staff to Mamdani in the State Assembly, will serve as Chief of Staff at City Hall. A prominent member of the Democratic Socialists of America, Bisgaard-Church also managed Mamdani’s mayoral campaign.
City Council Stated 11/12 Recap: The New York City Council voted to override Mayor Adams’ vetoes of four major bills related to pay equity, housing affordability, and city contracting—marking a significant assertion of Council authority. It also advanced a number of zoning changes meant to support housing. The full list of actions from the 11/12 meeting:
Overrode measure to require large private employers to report pay data and participate in annual pay equity studies (Cabán, Farías);
Overrode measure to establish a formal Office of Contract Services with oversight of procurement (Speaker Adams);
Overrode measure to cap CityFHEPS rent contributions at 30 percent of household income (Ayala).
Advanced reforms to business licensing
Advanced transparency for community board bylaws
Advanced a property tax exemption for Cold War veterans
Approved the long-awaited Jamaica Neighborhood Plan—the city’s largest rezoning in over two decades
Approved redevelopment projects in the Bronx, Long Island City, and Astoria
Resources
Justice in Aging Issue Brief: The Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Restoration Act. Click here.
NYS Department of Health, NYS Office for New Americans Toolkit: “Know Your Rights” Resources for Immigrants. Click here.
John A. Hartford Foundation Poll: Age-Friendly Insights Poll: Bipartisan Public Support for Older Americans Act Programs. Click here.
NYC Independent Budget Office Report: Focus on Lower-Income Households. Click here.
Upcoming Events
LiveOn NY Events & Trainings
11/19/25: Elder Justice Series: Safety Planning, virtual. Click here.
12/3/25: Affordable Senior Housing Coalition Meeting, virtual. Click here.
12/4/25: Ethics in Aging & Mental Health, virtual. Click here.
12/9/25: Quarterly CFO Workgroup, virtual. Click here.
Partner Events
11/17/25: CUNY School of Medicine: Caregiver Awareness Month. Click here.
11/18/25: NonProfit Help Desk: Budgeting with Confidence: A Nonprofit Leader’s Guide. Click here.
11/19/25: Human Services Council, The Jewish Board: Fear City, Then and Now: Confronting Cuts and Building Solutions. Click here.
11/19/25: Lawyers Alliance: False Claims Act: An Overview for Nonprofits. Click here.
11/20/25: NonProfit Help Desk: Get Registration Ready for 2026 NYC Council Discretionary Applications. Click here.
10/2025 - 11/2025: Child Welfare League of America: The Moral Injury Training Series: Understanding, Healing, + Building Resilience. Click here.
12/3: Advocacy Institute: No One Is Safe: Leveraging State-Level Power to Fight Fascism. Register here.
12/3: New York Academy of Medicine: Exploring Healthy Longevity City Models: Health for All. Click here.
12/4: Advocacy Institute: Power Mapping in Albany: Preparing for Legislative Session. Click here.
12/10: Justice in Aging: Overpayments, In-Kind Support, and Operational Impacts - How Current SSA Policies Could Affect Your Clients. Click here.
Amalgamated Bank’s Free Webinars: Click here.
LiveOn NY maintains strong connections with critical policy partners across the federal, state, and local levels to effectively advocate for aging New Yorkers and advance our mission with timely, informed strategies. See some of our key partners below:
