What's happening
This bill requires the state to simplify public assistance applications and provide clear, large-print notification forms for applicants.
Why it matters
Reduces barriers for vulnerable populations. By making public assistance applications readable at a basic literacy level, the bill aims to ensure that people with limited reading skills can access benefits without confusion or unnecessary mistakes.
Improves transparency and accountability. The required supplemental notification form—with large print, check boxes for each notification, and applicant signatures—helps guarantee that applicants are properly informed of their rights, responsibilities, and any critical information.
Regularly updates communication standards. Mandating that the notification form be reviewed and updated at least every six months ensures that applicants consistently receive up-to-date and legally required information, reducing the risk of outdated or incomplete notices.
Mandates uniform practice statewide. By requiring all local social services districts to use the same standardized, clear notification forms, the bill seeks to eliminate regional inconsistencies and make the process fairer across New York State.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Simplify Welfare Applications
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to social services
- Referred to social services
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
684
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY (Prefiled)
January 9, 2019
Introduced by M. of A. L. ROSENTHAL -- read once and referred to the Committee on Social Services
AN ACT to amend the social services law, in relation to public assistance applications
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. The social services law is amended by adding a new section 152-c to read as follows:
§ 152-c. Public assistance applications; notification. 1. Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, the office of temporary and disability assistance shall undertake efforts to simplify the application process for public assistance benefits. Such efforts, shall include, but not be limited to, listing information and questions on such applications in a manner that would be comprehensible to an individual with a basic literacy level.
2. (a) Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, the office of temporary and disability assistance shall draft a supplemental notice form to be provided to applicants for public assistance. Such supplemental notice form shall list all notifications to be provided to applicants as may be appropriate, or required by law, rule or regulation.
(b) Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, each notification listed on the supplemental notification form shall be provided in a font that is at least sixteen points.
(c) Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, the supplemental notice form shall include a check off box next to each notification provided on the form for the applicant to check to indicate that he or she has received the information contained in the notification and understands the notification provided.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD04614-01-9
A. 684 2
(d) Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, the supplemental notification form shall provide a line for the public assistance applicant to sign to indicate that he or she has received the information contained in the supplemental notice form and understands all notifications provided.
3. Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, local social services districts shall provide all applicants for public assistance with the supplemental notification form.
4. Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, subsequent to the effective date of this section, the office of temporary and disability assistance shall review the supplemental application form, not less than once every six months and shall add any additional notifications to the application as may be appropriate or required by law, rule or regulation.
§ 2. This act shall take effect on the one hundred eightieth day after it shall have become law; provided however, that effective immediately, the addition, amendment and/or repeal of any rule or regulation necessary for the implementation of this act on its effective date are authorized and directed to be made and completed on or before the effective date.
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.