Oswego County DSS Announces Processing of November SNAP Benefits

by Site Administrator | November 13, 2025 8:52 am

OSWEGO COUNTY – The Oswego County Department of Social Services (DSS) has been informed by the New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA) that, effective today, Nov. 12, all Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits for the month of November are being processed and recipients will receive full benefits. This includes all November certifications and regular monthly benefit issuances.

Residents whose benefits were temporarily delayed due to the federal government shutdown will now see their November SNAP benefits issued as normal. Benefits were released by the state starting on Sunday, Nov. 9 and will continue to be issued through Thursday, Nov. 13.

In addition, the New York State OTDA Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) Bureau has indicated that the 2025-2026 HEAP program continues to be delayed until further notice.

OTDA advised local social services districts that, while Early Outreach HEAP applications may continue to be accepted and processed, no benefits will be issued until federal funding becomes available and the program officially opens. Payments will simply remain on hold in the system until that time.

The Home Energy Fair Practices Act (HEFPA) provides some protection for residents in that natural gas, electric or steam utilities must keep power on in households where there is a qualifying need. (For details, see the New York State Department of Public Service website at https://dps.ny.gov/your-rights-residential-gas-electric-or-steam-customer-under-hefpa[1].) However, smaller, locally owned oil or propane companies rely on regular payments and may not be able to react the same way.

Individuals who are experiencing a heating or utility emergency may continue to contact the Oswego County Department of Social Services at 315-963-5000 to determine if they qualify for a one-time emergency Temporary Assistance payment to address their immediate heating needs.

Oswego County DSS continues to monitor state guidance closely and will provide updates to the public as soon as additional information becomes available.

For questions regarding SNAP benefits, HEAP, or other public assistance programs, residents may contact the Oswego County Department of Social Services at 315-963-5000 during regular business hours, Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Source URL: https://oswegocountytoday.com/news/oswego-county-dss-announces-processing-of-november-snap-benefits/

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