What's happening
This bill requires the state to distribute food stamp applications to all state-funded food pantries and soup kitchens and report on distribution quarterly.
Why it matters
Improves access to food assistance. By requiring food stamp (SNAP) applications to be available at all state-funded food pantries and soup kitchens, the bill directly connects people facing food insecurity with a pathway to more stable, ongoing support.
Targets high-need populations. Many individuals who visit food pantries and soup kitchens may not be aware they qualify for SNAP benefits; this measure proactively reaches vulnerable populations where they already seek help.
Creates accountability and transparency. The mandated quarterly reporting on where and how many applications are distributed enables oversight, helps identify gaps in distribution, and provides data to inform future anti-hunger policies.
Potential to increase SNAP enrollment. Making applications more readily available in easily accessible locations may result in more eligible New Yorkers enrolling in the program, thereby reducing hunger and improving public health.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Food Stamp Forms at Pantries
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
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
2237
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
January 23, 2019
Introduced by Sen. SANDERS -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Social Services
AN ACT to amend the social services law, in relation to the distribution of food stamp applications to emergency feeding programs
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 95-b to read as follows:
§ 95-b. Food stamp applications at emergency feeding programs. 1. The commissioner shall arrange for the distribution of applications for the food stamp program to all state-funded emergency feeding programs. For purposes of this section, "emergency feeding program" means a food pantry or soup kitchen.
2. Beginning January first, two thousand twenty, and on the first business day of each succeeding calendar quarter thereafter, the commissioner shall submit a report to the governor and the legislature indicating the emergency feeding programs to which it distributed applications in the prior calendar quarter and the number of applications distributed to each emergency feeding program.
§ 2. This act shall take effect on the ninetieth day after it shall have become a law.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD07104-01-9
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the social services law, in relation to the distribution of food stamp applications to emergency feeding programs
Purpose
To amend the social services law, in relation to the distribution of food stamp applications to emergency feeding programs.
Summary of provisions
Section 1 of the bill amends the social services law by adding a new section 95-b that states the commissioner shall arrange for the distrib- ution of applications for the food stamp program to all state- funded emergency feeding programs. Beginning January 1, 2017, and on the first business day of each succeeding calendar quarter thereafter, the commis- sion shall submit a report to the Governor and the legislature indicat- ing the emergency feeding programs to which it distributed applications in the prior calendar quarter and the number of, applications distrib- uted to each emergency feeding program.
Section 2 of the bill provides that the act shall take effect on the ninetieth day after it shall have become a law
Existing law
New Law
Justification
The state has a compelling interest in helping struggling individuals and families who visit food pantries and soup kitchens apply for food stamp benefits.
Legislative history
03/14/16 Referred to Social Services
Fiscal implications
Minimal
Local fiscal implications
None
Effective date
This act shall take effect on the ninetieth day after it shall have become a law.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.