A federal judge has temporarily blocked the Trump administration’s plan to freeze billions of dollars in federal funding for child care and social services, a move that local leaders say could have had immediate and devastating impacts on families in Sullivan County and across New York.
On Friday, a judge in New York’s Southern District issued a two-week temporary restraining order halting the administration’s plan to withhold funding from three major programs serving low-income families and people with disabilities. The proposed freeze targeted five Democratic-led states — including New York — and involved more than $10 billion in funding for programs such as Temporary Assistance for Needy Families and the Child Care and Development Fund, according to reporting by The New York Times.
The pause came after attorneys general from the affected states filed suit, warning that even a short interruption could disrupt child care, employment, and essential services for hundreds of thousands of households.
“It’s very scary”
In an interview with Radio Catskill, Nadia Rajsz, chair of the Sullivan County Legislature, said the uncertainty alone is already taking a toll.
“It’s very scary. It’s a very scary world that we live in,” Rajsz said. “It is horrific as to what is happening down in Washington. It’s just one thing after another.”
Rajsz questioned how funding aimed at children and working families could be used as leverage in political disputes.
“How do you withhold money from your most vulnerable population — the youth that need to have some type of care where their parents are working?” she said. “Now the parents can’t go to work because they’re held hostage at home watching their children. They lose their jobs.”
Ripple effects felt locally
While the lawsuit focuses on statewide funding streams, local officials say the consequences would be felt immediately at the county level. Child care subsidies, food assistance, and other social services are often the backbone that allows families to stay employed and financially stable.
Rajsz emphasized that rising costs have already pushed many households to the edge.
“If people cannot afford child care — it’s expensive as it is now — how do you manage your life if you cannot afford to buy food?” she said. “How do you manage your life if your salary doesn’t go up commensurate with inflation?”
What happens next
The temporary order keeps funds flowing while the legal challenge continues. The case will now move forward under a different federal judge, with further hearings expected in the coming weeks.