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Sponsors
Senator · Senate District 59
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Substituted by A6331
- Advanced to third reading
- 2nd report cal.
- 1st report cal.1105
- Reported and committed to finance
- Referred to social services
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Provides for the extension of current exemptions of income and resources to qualify for public assistance programs
Signed by Governor · Sponsor Michele Titus
Full text
The text isn't available here yet. Check nysenate.gov.
Sponsor's memo
BILL NUMBER:S4498
Title of bill
An act to amend chapter 436 of the laws of 1997, constituting the welfare reform act of 1997, in relation to extending the current exemptions of income and resources for public assistance programs
Purpose of bill
This proposal would extend the income and resource exemption provisions of Social Services Law § 131-n to ensure that families do not have to divest themselves of certain resources to qualify for public assistance.
Summary of provisions
Section 1 of the bill would amend subdivision (c) of section 153 of Part B of Chapter 436 of the Laws of 1997, constituting the Welfare Reform Act of 1997, to extend the provisions of Social Services Law §131-n from August 22, 2011 to August 22, 2013.
Section 2 of the bill would provide for an immediate effective date.
Existing law
Social Services Law § 131-n sets forth the resources that are exempt and disregarded when calculating the amount of public assistance benefits that are provided to a household. This provision currently expires on August 22, 2011.
Prior legislative history
This provision was last extended by Chapter 137 of the Laws of 2009.
Statement in support
As a critical component of improving the economic well-being of low income families, households in receipt of public assistance should have certain resources exempt from consideration when determining eligibility for public assistance. This bill would continue to preserve statutorily those resources that a recipient of public assistance may possess without affecting eligibility for or the amount of assistance. The resources covered by the exemption include liquid resources, subject to a specified amount; the, home that is the usual residence of the household; one automobile subject to a certain fair market value; one burial plot per household member; bona fide funeral agreements subject to a certain amount; and certain other resources. The resource exemptions extended by the proposal are reasonable and recognize that households should be able to have certain resources exempt from consideration when determining eligibility for public assistance, especially when the resources may be an essential component of self-sufficiency. This proposal would extend the current resource policies without any changes.
Budget implications
This proposal would have no fiscal impact since the proposal merely extends the current law.
Effective date
This act shall take effect immediately.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.