Governor Hochul Signs Legislative Package to Protect Rights of Public Benefit Recipients and Strengthen Access to Social Services

 

Legislation (S.3178A/A.5817A) Requires Offices of Social Services to PostNotice of Recipients' Basic Rights

Legislation (S.8972A/A.9749B) Ensures that Certain Recipients of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Benefits Receive Two Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) Credit or Debit Cards

 Governor Kathy Hochul today announced she signed a legislative package of two bills that will protect the rights of New Yorkers who receive public benefits and strengthen access to social services. These two bills will increase transparency on the rights of those applying to receive assistance and improve access to food assistance.

"As New Yorkers continue to recover from the economic pains of the pandemic, it is critical that we ensure that public assistance programs are properly serving our most vulnerable communities," Governor Hochul said. "These bills will educate people across the state on their rights when receiving social services and ensure that families don't struggle to put food on the table. I am proud to take important steps to protect and empower New Yorkers who receive public assistance because nobody deserves to experience food or childcare insecurity, homelessness, or any other life-threatening stresses."

Legislation (S.3178A/A.5817A) will require the posting of the rights of individuals who are applying to receive assistance. This will notify the recipients of their basic rights which are established by law, such as a right to a fair hearing, the right to ask about emergency assistance, the right to apply for all benefits and services, the right to ask about child care, the right to free language services, the right to screening and special services if experiencing domestic violence, and the right to a written adequate notice.

Legislation (S.8972A/A.9749B) requires supplemental nutrition assistance programs to provide two electronic benefit transfer credit or debit cards for each household that has more than one parent or guardian residing in the household. This will provide recipients more convenience in utilizing their benefits to feed their families.