Seniors face uncertain future amid SNAP cuts

Approximately 8,000 Chinese community members in Brooklyn faced the potential loss of food assistance benefits during the federal government shutdown that began Oct. 1, 2025, according to Carlyn Cowen, chief policy officer at the Chinese-American Planning Council (CPC). However, the shutdown proved to be only the beginning of a prolonged period of uncertainty that continues to grip the community.

The crisis, which began Oct. 1, created immediate hardship for seniors in Sunset Park. “When I heard there was a federal government shutdown, I was very scared,” said Bilan Chen, a 74-year-old resident, speaking in Mandarin. “Because I need the benefits. I am on my own.”

Xinxing Zheng, an 80-year-old Sunset Park resident and CPC member, said financial strain forced him to seek family assistance: “I had to ask my son for some money. But he also has a family he needs to take care of.”

The shutdown crisis preceded larger structural changes to the program. The “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” signed into law in July 2025, reduces SNAP funding by approximately $186 billion over 10 years, according to estimates from the Congressional Budget Office, a 20% reduction and the largest cut in the program’s history.

New work requirements mandate that able-bodied adults between ages 18 and 64 work at least 20 hours weekly to maintain eligibility. The changes expand to adults aged 55 to 64 previously exempt, as well as homeless individuals and parents of teenagers.

Steve Mei, director of Brooklyn community services at CPC, said the direct impact on Sunset Park’s elderly community is immense. Ninety-five percent of the 350 members enrolled at the Brooklyn Older Adults Center are SNAP-eligible, and many of them could face losing access.

The organization has expanded its response across multiple fronts, meeting with congressional representatives to demonstrate the cuts’ impact and working with state legislators on measures to fill gaps left by federal cuts.

On an individual level, council staff help community members understand their eligibility under the new rules.

“A lot of times with these kinds of things, people worry that they’re not going to be eligible, and they actually are,” Cowen said. For those who do lose eligibility, the organization is currently exploring alternative options and provides emergency food, cash assistance, and other support.

Furthermore, the language barrier poses additional challenges for the community. Many elders have trouble reading mail in English, according to Mei. CPC provides translation services and helps people fill out federal reassessment forms that some seniors have received.

Immigrant communities face additional challenges under the new legislation. The law restricts eligibility for certain legally present immigrants who are not lawful permanent residents, affecting refugees and asylum seekers who previously qualified for benefits.

Separately, the anxiety over food access is compounded by increased immigration enforcement. The council has been tracking heightened ICE activity in Sunset Park, with many cases involving Chinese individuals. Community members have expressed fears about their visibility during food distribution. “What if I go stand on the food pantry line and ICE comes for me?” Cowen said, describing concerns she’s hearing from residents. The organization is preparing for worst-case scenarios, including expanding home delivery services. “We’re certainly thinking about, you know, how do we make sure that people eat when they’re scared to leave their homes?” Cowen said.

Community organizer Ashley Lin, speaking at the council’s Thanksgiving event, emphasized the importance of not giving up: “The only way to defend our interests is through strong community advocacy.”