Monroe County Executive Adam Bello announces new SNAP Communications Toolkit now available online to help residents understand benefit delays and work requirements

Monroe County, New York – Monroe County Executive Adam Bello has announced the release of a new SNAP Communications Toolkit, now available on the county’s official website, aimed at helping residents better understand recent changes and delays affecting food assistance benefits. The toolkit is part of an ongoing effort to keep the public informed as federal updates to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) continue to roll out.

According to county officials, the online toolkit provides an easy way for individuals, nonprofit organizations, and the media to access up-to-date information about the temporary delay in SNAP funding and the new work requirements that apply to certain recipients. Visitors to www.monroecounty.gov can find downloadable posters, flyers, and social media graphics in both English and Spanish to help spread the word within their communities.

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“It is unfortunate that the delay in SNAP benefits and the new work requirements are happening at the same time,” said County Executive Bello. “We hope the toolkit will make it easier for people to understand what they need to do to secure food assistance, and to keep their SNAP once funding is restored.”

The simultaneous challenges—federal funding delays and stricter eligibility rules—have created confusion for many households that rely on SNAP for monthly food support. Monroe County’s new toolkit is designed to clarify what these changes mean and what actions residents may need to take to remain eligible.

The county’s homepage now features a “SNAP Information” graphic that directs users to detailed explanations about both the delay and the work requirements for Able Bodied Adults Without Dependents (ABAWD). The page also includes a link to a screening tool that allows individuals to determine whether they are affected by the new federal criteria.

Officials hope that community groups, service providers, and local news outlets will use the toolkit’s ready-to-share materials to help ensure that critical information reaches as many residents as possible. The easy-to-use resources are especially useful for agencies and volunteers who regularly assist clients applying for or maintaining SNAP benefits.

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The SNAP Communications Toolkit can be accessed directly at monroecounty.gov/snap-abawd-changes, where users will find a collection of practical guides and outreach tools intended to simplify a process that has become increasingly complex.

Bello emphasized that the county remains committed to helping residents navigate these updates with clarity and compassion. The goal, he said, is not only to provide information but also to reassure Monroe County residents that assistance remains available—and that county staff are ready to help them through the transition.

As federal agencies work to resolve the funding delay, Monroe County’s proactive communication effort stands as an example of how local governments can step in to support their communities during uncertain times.