Thousands of Long Islanders could start losing access to SNAP benefits under federal work requirements.

"This is going to be a critical time for a lot of folks who are relying on SNAP to make ends meet," said Gregory May, with Island Harvest. "For every one meal that we provide, SNAP provides nine."

As News 12 has reported, a three-month clock started in March for able-bodied adults ages 18 to 64 without a dependent who are enrolled in SNAP benefits to find employment. Recipients will lose access to SNAP if they're not working at least 80 hours a month. "The clients that we do have say some of them are not able to meet those requirements because of transportation access," said Merlisa Fairley, with Pronto of Long Island. "They're already having issues with transportation coming to pick up essential items like food."

"A lot of people that are super, super scared and they're very concerned as to what the future holds for them," said Elizabeth Cordero, also with Pronto of Long Island. "We don't know what is going to happen. So they're coming in here and they just want to grab everything and they want to come more frequent."

Long Island Cares says over 160,000 Long Islanders rely on SNAP and about 26,000 of them fall into the able-bodied adults without dependents category. "That's pretty hard, especially with the cost of groceries going up," says Michael Haynes, with Long Island Cares. "The cost of fuel, and just the time it takes to even prepare these meals for working parents."

Food pantries say they've been preparing for this for months and say this time of year is when they help more families than usual because kids are out of school for the summer. "We're trying to get as much food ready as we possibly can but it flies through the doors," Fairley said.

Food pantries say if you need assistance and apply for SNAP and qualify, you are guaranteed three months of assistance.