Authorizes the reissuance of certain benefits in instances of fraud or theft of benefits

• Democratic12

◆ The sponsor's argument

Why Roxanne J. Persaud says this is needed

Since December 2022, over 4,000 New Yorkers have been the victims of public benefits theft by card skimming schemes and more than $700,000 in public benefits has been stolen from New Yorkers as of August. Public benefits skimming is the practice of individuals using devices and attaching them to point-of-sale (POS) machines/PIN pads to steal card numbers and other information from credit, debit, and EBT cards. The loss of funds has had a devastating impact on families, such as skipping meals until the next grocery pay period. This is also at a time when New Yorkers are suffering from food insecurity with Hunger Solutions New York reporting that "just over 1 in 10 New York households (10.5%) expe- rience food insecurity." The issue, however, is not just with SNAP but various forms of public assistance that are being skimmed. This legislation would allow for the Office of Temporary Disability Assistance (OTDA) to reimburse victims of theft of their safety net assistance, family assistance and SNAP. It would also require the re-issuance of benefits in the amount stolen, reimbursement within 7 days of theft being verified and would apply to theft of benefits occurring on or after January 1, 2022, which is not accounted for in the recent federal 2022 omnibus bill. Food insecurity is impacting Black, Brown, and low-income New Yorkers across our state. This legislation would result in relief and the replacement of stolen public benefits and help to address a national crisis that is hurting our most vulnerable and needy families.

This is the sponsor's own case for the bill, quoted from their memorandum. It is not Agora's description of what the bill does.