New York .- Thousands of Dominicans, among other ethnic groups, in this state will be affected by the closure of the US federal government, who work in multiple federal offices and others benefit from social aid.
Others from the island of Quisqueya and other nationalities in different states in the US territory will also be affected.
The closure will have devastating effects on workers, small businesses, and families across our state, Governor Kathy Hochul said. She specified that of the 115,000 federal employees in the state of NY, tens of thousands will be temporarily suspended.
While essential employees, including air traffic controllers and employees of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), will be forced to work without pay. Visits to the Statue of Liberty and a national park, with access interrupted for visitors.
If the closure persists, in a few days, pauses or delays will be confirmed in the processing of Social Security applications and benefits for veterans.
Similarly, if the ‘shutdown’ of the federal government is prolonged, vital programs such as SNAP coupons and other social benefits, on which the poorest depend, risk running out of funds.
She added that the funding of the ‘Head Start’ program created in 1965, as part of the “War on Poverty”, administered by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), is another sensitive area that puts childcare and early education at risk for thousands of New York families.
Hospitals across the state will be left waiting for federal reimbursements, creating uncertainty for hundreds of thousands of families and elderly people with housing vouchers or living in public housing complexes.
Social Security checks will be sent by mail as usual. This process is largely automated and has limited personnel during the closure.
Retirement and disability payments are made through Social Security Trust Funds and not the General Revenue Fund. However, new benefit applications and people who need to update their information may experience delays.
Air travel should not be affected, but may experience delays or cancellations due to staffing issues. The TSA, air traffic controllers, and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents will continue their operations.
Governor Hochul reminded that 1.5 million New Yorkers could lose their medical coverage; 300,000 at risk of not having access to SNAP food coupons; $3 billion in annual uncompensated medical costs imposed on hospitals.
Additionally, $8 billion in annual costs charged to the state health system; $11 billion in impact on general economic activity, including agriculture and food industries, due to the loss of SNAP benefits.
‘This closure if prolonged puts thousands of workers without pay’. ‘To the elderly without food’. ‘To veterans without medical care and countless communities suffering in various ways due to political maneuvers’, said Hochul
As part of it, Congressman Adriano Espaillat, a Dominican representative who represents parts of Upper Manhattan and the Bronx, sent an alert to the communities, with the scenarios presented.
‘The Republicans in the House are fighting against Democratic attempts to avoid cuts to save affordable healthcare, which working families rely on’ indicated.
‘The legislator notes that current beneficiaries of Medicare, Medicaid, and disability insurance will continue to receive their benefits, as long as the closure lasts less than three months’.
Also, ‘as the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), which is funded by its own fees, remains open and continues to process applications. Appointments and interviews can be attended as scheduled’.
The previous government closure was recorded six years ago, between 2018 and 2019, during Donald Trump’s first presidential term and lasted for just over 30 days.
