Relates to eligibility for SNAP benefits and specifies additional products eligible for WIC benefits

Section 2. 1: Participation in employment program: (a) Establishes that all applicants and recipients must, in full, comply with the rules and regulations governing Employment Program Requirements, as set forth by the state in part 385 of Title 18 of the New York State Codes, Rules and Regulations. (b) States that all applicants for public assistance must apply in writing for three separate advertised jobs and provide to the department verifiable documentation of the applications. Documentation can be submitted from one week before to two weeks after the application for benefits. (c) Snap benefits must be terminated by the department as follows: (I) for a first failure to comply with the requirements of Part 385 of Title 18 of the New York State Codes, Rules & Regulations, termination of benefits applies to the adult recipient; (2) for a second failure to comply with the requirements of Part 385 of Title 18 of the New York State Codes, Rules & Regulations, terminations of benefits applies to the adult recipient and the full family unit; (3) for a third and subsequent violation, termination of benefits applies to the adult recipient and full family unit for six consecutive months; (4) an adult recipient has the ability to appeal a sanction that would impact the full family unit by demonstrating through good cause why those benefits should not be terminated; (5) once a recipient complies with all rules and regulations, their benefits must be restored by the department. (d) (1) Prior to the imposition of sanctions, the department must evaluate and obtain approval for sanctions from the individual's case manager. (2) A stated notice on why an individual has been sanctioned by the department must be provided to the participant whose benefits are being terminated. 2: Unauthorized spending of SNAP benefits: (a) A recipient may not use SNAP benefits payable through the electronic benefits transfer system established under section twenty-one-a of this chapter to effect any transaction in: (1) a liquor store, or any other store where fifty percent or more of its business comes from the sale of alcoholic beverages; (2) a gambling or gaming facility; (3) a strip club; (4) a tobacco specialty store. (b) SNAP benefits cannot be used to purchase tobacco products; alcoholic beverages, gambling or gaming activity, lotteries conducted by the state, bail, or tattoos. (c) A recipient may not use their benefits outside the state of New York. (d) No more than 15% of a recipients monthly SNAP benefit may be withdrawn in cash. 3: Educational or training programs. For individuals who are satisfactorily participating in an education or training program, the department shall determine the acceptability of the activity for purposes of meeting the participation requirements as set for in New York's rules and regulations. 4: For individuals who are unable to satisfy certain requirements due to disability, the department will develop a reasonable alternative participation requirement. 5: Work participation sufficiency. An individual who is receiving SNAP benefits must participate in a combination of education, training, study or work-site experience in a manner that meets federal work participation requirements in the first twelve months of the program. SNAP benefits may continue beyond those twelve months so long as the enrollee continues an educational program and meets federal work participation requirements.

Section 3. Extends the purchase of fruits, vegetables and pre-packaged meat or fish to recipients of the federal Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC).

Sections 4 is the effective date.

Justification

Currently, New York doesn't have a uniform set of work requirements for recipients of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), nor does it impose strict limitations on what can be purchased by a recipient. This legislation would eliminate this lack of uniformity and create a statewide work requirement, while ensuring that the benefits provided to recipients are used to purchase goods that will directly support them and their families. Additionally, this act will establish a new, graduated system that punishes individuals who do not comply with the laws, rules and regulations that govern SNAP in New York.

Legislative history

New Bill

Fiscal implications

To Be Determined

Local fiscal implications

To Be Determined.

Effective date

This act shall take effect on the thirtieth day after it shall have become law.