Extends the provisions of the Welfare Reform Act of 1997 to 2017

BILL NUMBER:S4830

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 the Bill:

The bill would extend for two years the income and resources exemptions provisions of § 131-n of the Social Services Law (SSL) to ensure that families do not have to divest themselves of certain resources to qualify for public assistance.

Summary of Provisions:

Section one of the bill would amend subdivision (c) of § 153 of Part B of Chapter 436 of the Laws of 1997, constituting the Welfare Reform Act of 1997, to extend the provisions of SSL § 131-n from August 22, 2015 to August 22, 2017.

Section two of the bill would provide for an immediate effective date and would be deemed to have been in full force and effect on and after August 22, 2015.

Existing Law:

SSL § 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, 2015.

Prior Legislative History:

This provision was last extended for two years by Chapter 282 of the Laws of 2013.

Statement in Support:

As a critical component of improving the economic well-being of low income families, the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance has had a long-standing policy that 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 resources exemptions extended by the bill are reasonable and recognize that households in receipt of public assistance 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 bill would extend the current resources policies without any changes.

Budget Implications:

This bill would have no fiscal impact since it extends the current statutory policy.

Local Impact:

This bill would have no local impact since it extends the current statutory policy.

Effective Date:

This bill would take effect immediately and would be deemed to have been in full force and effect on and after August 22, 2015.