Restaurants, SNAP users could benefit from new legislation signed by Hochul

New legislation signed Monday could help struggling New Yorkers put more food on the table.

The governor announced a couple of things Monday. The first allows New Yorkers to use SNAP benefits from certain restaurants. The second is a $25 million program to provide relief to the restaurant industry.

It gives funding to New York food banks and emergency food providers to buy meals from restaurants and deliver them to families in need.

"This is how we start bringing the state back and start taking care of people in their most vulnerable times," said Hochul.

Before this signed legislation, New Yorkers couldn’t use SNAP benefits to buy prepared meals.

Lt. Gov. Brian Benjamin said this prevented some people from using SNAP benefits, because they do not have access to cooking or food preparation on their own.