For a New Yorker who relies on SNAP to live an independent and dignified life, the benefit is only ever as secure as the paperwork and rules behind it. A confusing notice, a missed deadline, or a change in requirements can interrupt benefits that a household counts on to put food on the table, turning stability into crisis in the blink of an eye. With many recent federal and local changes to SNAP work requirements, even those who have received benefits for years may find themselves struggling to decipher what is now expected of them and unsure of where to turn to for guidance.

JCCGCI’s newest program, Gateway to Stability, was designed to reach New Yorkers where they stand on their path towards a financially secure future. With support from UJA Federation of New York, Gateway to Stability offers free, personalized one on one assistance with understanding and maintaining SNAP benefits, pursuing career aspirations, and sharpening digital skills. The program has hit the ground running, leading New Yorkers who are ready to take the next step towards stability with a clear plan that provides confidence and clarity on how to move forward.

Gateway to Stability was founded on the mission to keep people connected to the benefits they rely on. The complexity of navigating SNAP benefits can serve as a legitimate barrier between New Yorkers and their next meal, which is why our experts are equipped to simplify and communicate recently adjusted work requirements, changing exemptions that may apply, and how to guarantee compliance, even under unique circumstances. Our support extends to every stage of the process, from eligibility questions and new applications to recertifications and the HRA notices that can leave even seasoned recipients unsure of where they stand.

The rules themselves are changing, and many New Yorkers who rely on these benefits have been left out of the loop. Under current SNAP requirements, recipients must register for work, accept a job if one is offered, participate in SNAP Employment & Training or workfare if assigned, and avoid quitting or reducing their weekly hours below 30 without good cause. Able-bodied adults without dependents face an additional requirement: participating in paid, unpaid, or volunteer work, qualifying work programs, or a combination of these for at least 80 hours per month, or alternatively completing the assigned hours of workfare.

The rules may be changing, but no one should have to decode them alone. For anyone unsure of which rules apply to them, or what options exist if they struggle to meet their requirements, Gateway to Stability provides the guidance to find your footing before benefits your are at risk.

“Every situation is different and it can be incredibly challenging to make sense of it all, especially while balancing so many other responsibilities,” says Gateway to Stability Program Director Rifki Frieder. “We take the time to fully understand each person’s circumstances in order to seek out the best path forward.”

Beyond benefits support, Gateway to Stability offers career coaching and job placement services, as well as one-on-one computer and digital skills training for participants who want to strengthen their position as a job applicant and build their confidence while pursuing a steady income. Together, these services allow individuals to hold on to the support they rely on today while working toward the stability that they are striving for tomorrow.

Gateway to Stability serves all New Yorkers facing SNAP or vocational challenges, and getting started is simple. Participants complete a short intake form or reach out to our team directly to share a bit about their situation. From there, a member of our team reviews their information and calls to talk through the best course of action, taking the time to understand each person’s unique circumstances. Together, we define a plan to protect the client’s benefits and move toward their career aspirations, and we stay alongside our participants every step of the way.

You can reach our Gateway to Stability program by calling (347) 856-5831, emailing GATEWAYTOSTABILITY@JCCGCI.ORG, or visiting JCCGCI.ORG/KEYSTONE

Services are available online, in person, and over the phone, so participants can choose what works best for them. Every service provided through the program is completely free of charge.

Gateway to Stability is an embodiment of what JCCGCI has always sought to do: meet people during life’s most uncertain moments with practical, dependable support, delivered with care. With Gateway to Stability, we’re carrying that commitment forward, helping New Yorkers protect the benefits they rely on and build a more secure future, one step at a time.

👉 In need of SNAP or career support? Call (347) 856-5831, email GATEWAYTOSTABILITY@JCCGCI.ORG, or visit JCCGCI.ORG/KEYSTONE to learn more.

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