CAPLAW (Community Action Program Legal Services, Inc.) has been monitoring the partial federal government shutdown and gathering information as the shutdown and its impacts have evolved over the last few weeks.  For a summary of how the shutdown is affecting low-income communities, see the January 9^th article from the Washington Post.

01.17.2019 -  Information for SNAP Recipients about your February Benefits:  Because of the federal shutdown, most SNAP recipients will receive their February SNAP benefits early.  If you received a SNAP benefit in January and were scheduled to receive SNAP in February, your February benefits may be available on your EBT card on January 17th instead of on your scheduled February availability date.  This is your entire February benefit. This is not an extra SNAP benefit for January. You will not get any more benefits in February. So, it is important that you budget and spend your February benefit with that in mind.  If you completed your recertification for SNAP benefits in January and do not receive your February benefit on January 17th, this does not mean that you will not get a February benefit. Your February benefit should be available on February 1. For more details on how the federal shutdown affects SNAP.  For a listing of food resources in Otsego County

01.15.2019 - Federal Government Shutdown-Vendors Must Continue to Accept WIC Benefits:  The following notice was sent to all grocery stores and pharmacies in NYS that are currently enrolled as WIC vendors: "Authorized WIC vendors must continue to accept and redeem WIC benefits including WIC checks and eWIC cards, unless directed otherwise by the NYS WIC Program."

12.28.2018 - WIC Remains Open for Business During the Partial Federal Shutdown: Although the federal government has entered a partial shutdown, the shutdown will not have an immediate impact on WIC operations in New York State. New York State has adequate reserve funding to continue normal operations for the next two months. If the shutdown persists for several weeks, other measures may need to be adopted and local agencies, like Opportunities for Otsego, will be notified.

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About Opportunities for Otsego

Founded in 1966, Opportunities for Otsego helps alleviate poverty and fosters self-sufficiency through comprehensive and holistic client-centered services. The Agency focuses its attention on specific problems affecting the community, mobilizes resources, and creates solutions to unlock opportunities for low-income individuals and disenfranchised families. Our services encourage economic stability, social justice, and the promotion of healthy lives and families for residents of Otsego County.

Agency Mission

The leader in developing innovative solutions that promote healthy lives, thriving families, and caring communities.

Upcoming Events

02.12.2019 - Wear Orange Day:  Locally, 12% of high school females and 5% of high school males report that they have been the victim of physical and sexual dating violence.  Join the Violence Intervention Program and advocates across the country in bringing awareness to teen dating violence by wearing orange on this day.  Photos may be posted on our Facebook  page.

02.18.2019 - Presidents Day:  The agency will be closed in recognition of the holiday.  The Emergency Housing and Violence Intervention Program hotlines and shelter services will still be available to those with a need.

02.18.19 - 02.22.2019 - Head Start Center-Based Program Closed:  All center-based Early Head Start, Head Start, and UPK classrooms are closed for break.  Home-based Early Head Start remains open.

View the full agency calendar