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Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer told reporters Wednesday that he has heard from Head Start programs across New York that are affected by the delayed payments. 

One program, Cattaraugus and Wyoming Project Head Start, has been forced to temporarily close due to a missing payment. According to Schumer, the agency hasn't received about $300,000 — money it needs to continue operations. 

With the Head Start program closed in Cattaraugus and Wyoming counties, nearly 200 families are affected and 84 employees have been laid off. 

Andrea Aldinger, chair of the program's board, said in a statement provided by Schumer's office that there is a backlog of drawdowns in the payment system due to the freeze. 

"As of (Tuesday), we still do not have answers," Aldinger said. "It seems the Department of Health and Human Services and the federal payment system are unable to agree where the problem is originating."

The federal funding freeze was revealed in a memo issued by the Trump administration. It later clarified that Head Start was among the programs exempt from the freeze. 

But the aforementioned backlog has created issues for many Head Start programs across the country. According to the National Head Start Association, at least 45 programs in 23 states reported delays in funding. The organization said recipients receive "pending" or "in process" notifications when attempting to draw funds from their federal grant. 

Schumer urged the Department of Health and Human Services to fix the payment system so Head Start programs can access funds. He also wants the errors addressed and for the department to improve communication with child care providers.

As the payment system problems linger, Schumer warned of a "child care cliff" if the Head Start payments don't resume. 

"Enough is enough," he said. "We cannot have our parents left in limbo when it comes to child care." 

The Head Start program in Cayuga County is not affected by the delays. Laurie Piccolo, executive director of Community Action Programs Cayuga/Seneca, told ÈËÊÞÐÔ½» the agency is able to access the payment system and "received timely payments."