BILL NUMBER: S64

SPONSOR: PERSAUD
 
TITLE OF BILL:

An act to amend the social services law, in relation to establishing a
statewide restaurant meals program as part of the supplemental nutrition
assistance program

 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:

To ensure that homeless, elderly and disabled SNAP recipients are able
to use their benefits for hot or prepared meals at participating grocery
stores, delis and restaurants.

 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:

Section 1 establishes a new Subdivision 11 of Section 95 of the Social
Services Law. Subdivision A mandates that the NYS Office of Temporary
and Disability Assistance establishes a statewide Restaurant Meals
Program, in accordance with the guidelines set at the federal level to
              

allow the elderly, disabled, their spouses, and the homeless to use SNAP
benefits for the purchase of hot or prepared foods from participating
restaurants, delis, and grocery stores. Subdivision B allows the NYS
Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance to promulgate rules and
regulations to assist in implementing the program. Section 2 establishes
the effective date.

 
JUSTIFICATION:

Currently in New York State, SNAP recipients cannot use their benefits
to purchase prepared foods. This policy prevents many populations that
are unable to have access to cooking or food preparation on their own
and for their families from fully utilizing their benefits to provide
them with food. This issue primarily affects the homeless, disabled and
elderly populations.

This bill would mandate that the NYS Office of Temporary and Disability
Assistance (OTDA) apply for a USDA waiver to authorize a statewide
Restaurant Meals Program, which would allow homeless, elderly and disa-
bled SNAP recipients to use their benefits for prepared or hot food from
participating restaurants, delis and grocery stores at reduced prices.
This will ensure that those who are in the most need in our state can
use their benefits and get access to food.

 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

2019-2020: A8764-A passed Assembly, S7290-A died in Senate Rules.

 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS:

To be determined.

 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
Takes effect on the first of January of the following calendar year.