NYS Senate Social Services Committee Convenes Policy Roundtable Discussion on Public Assistance Programs

(Brooklyn, NY) – Senator Roxanne J. Persaud, Chair of the Senate Social Services Committee and Senator David Carlucci, Chair of the Senate Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Committee, co-convened a policy roundtable on various requirements for public assistance applicants and recipients.  They were joined by Senate colleagues, representatives from New York State and City of New York social service agencies as well as a number of organizations that provide representation to public assistance recipients.

“Yesterday we had a productive discussion regarding the challenges vulnerable New Yorkers face while both applying for and remaining eligible for assistance,” said Senator Roxanne J. Persaud.  “I am hopeful that yesterday’s roundtable will serve as the basis for more policies to strengthen New York’s social safety net.  This year, the Legislature enacted measures that encourage struggling households to save for crucial disability services and education opportunities along with a new law ensuring that Summer Youth Employment Program participants across New York can be paid for their valuable work without putting their household public assistance budget in peril.”

“New York must remain affordable for residents, while offering social services that lift every New Yorker up, allowing them to live independently in the future,”said Senator David Carlucci.  “I thank Senator Persaud for hosting this roundtable discussion and look forward to partnering together on legislation to improve the lives of every New Yorker.”

“The White House recently announced a plan to kick more than 3.1 million Americans off of food stamps—and that’s just one example of the federal government’s increasingly punitive approach to those who are eligible for public assistance,” said Senator Brad Hoylman.  “It is crucial for New York to stand up and fight back, doing what we can as a state to strengthen our social safety net. I was proud to join my colleagues Senator Persaud and Senator Carlucci at their policy roundtable to discuss the requirements for public assistance applicants and recipients, and I look forward to working with our colleagues, under the leadership of Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, on ways to help the most vulnerable New Yorkers.”