What's happening
This bill requires New York to provide additional state payment assistance and support for people with disabilities if no federal agreement exists.
Why it matters
Ensures continued support for people with disabilities. If the federal government stops managing additional state disability payments, New York must step in to help individuals apply for and keep these benefits, preventing gaps in support.
Improves access and understanding of benefits. The bill mandates hands-on assistance—including document gathering, explaining benefit details, and providing help navigating appeals—so that those with disabilities better understand and retain their benefits.
Targets outreach to underserved individuals. Not-for-profit groups with disability expertise will actively identify eligible people who aren’t currently receiving benefits and help them apply, aiming to close participation gaps.
Creates accountability and transparency. Annual reports from the not-for-profit partners will highlight barriers faced by individuals with disabilities and inform policymakers, potentially guiding future improvements in the system.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Help for Disability Benefits
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to ways and means
- Reported referred to ways and means
- 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.
Help for State Benefit Applicants
In Senate Committee · Social Services · Sponsor James Sanders Jr.
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
7803
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
May 23, 2019
Introduced by M. of A. HEVESI -- read once and referred to the Committee on Social Services
AN ACT to amend the social services law, in relation to additional state payment assistance
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 213 to read as follows:
§ 213. Additional state payment assistance. 1. If there is no agreement in effect for federal administration of additional state payments pursuant to section two hundred eleven of this title, the commissioner of the office of temporary and disability assistance shall be responsible for providing assistance to applicants for or recipients of such payments as it relates to applying for, modifying or maintaining such benefits in order to ensure maximum participation by eligible individuals. The commissioner shall contract with one or more not-for-profit providers that have relevant experience with serving individuals with disabilities and, availability and accessibility to this particular population for the purpose of providing such assistance in accordance with this section.
2. Such assistance shall include, but not be limited to: (a) assisting with meeting eligibility requirements including gathering documentation which may be necessary to determine eligibility or the appropriate level of benefits; (b) explaining relevant documentation as it relates to an individual's benefit to help ensure individuals understand their benefits and are receiving the appropriate level of benefits; (c) assisting individuals to access the fair hearing process by securing any necessary documentation and providing referrals for legal advocacy; (d) providing the option of in person assistance and when necessary, providing such assistance at the individual's residence or other appropriate locations, such as a hospital; and (e) identifying eligible individuals who are not
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD06157-03-9
A. 7803 2
receiving such benefits and conducting outreach to provide them with information and assistance as described in paragraphs (a) through (d) of this subdivision to secure and maintain such benefits and identifying systemic barriers encountered by individuals with disabilities applying for and maintaining such benefits. Such not-for-profit provider shall report on such findings on an annual basis to the governor, the temporary president of the senate, the speaker of the assembly, and the chairs of the assembly and senate standing committee on social services, with the initial report to be provided on January first, two thousand twenty.
3. To the extent necessary and appropriate to facilitate and effectuate the requirements of this title, such not-for-profit provider shall coordinate and cooperate with the federal social security administration as it pertains to individuals for which they are providing services as required by this section.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
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.