What's happening
This bill eliminates asset limits when calculating public assistance benefits for households in New York.
Why it matters
Removes penalties for savings and assets. By exempting all household assets from consideration, this bill allows people to build up savings, own reliable vehicles, or have emergency funds without losing eligibility for public assistance—helping break cycles of poverty and discouraging the depletion of assets just to qualify for aid.
Simplifies the application and review process. Eliminating asset tests reduces administrative burden for both applicants and caseworkers, likely speeding up access to benefits and decreasing paperwork or compliance errors.
Aligns with modern anti-poverty strategies. The change reflects a shift toward supporting long-term financial stability, rather than keeping recipients in a state of minimal resources, potentially leading to greater economic mobility and reducing the stigma associated with receiving assistance.
Potential for broader eligibility. More households—such as those with modest retirement savings, vehicles, or other assets—may now qualify for public assistance, which could increase the number of recipients and overall program costs but also extend support to those facing temporary hardship.
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Who cares
Headline styles
End Asset Limits for Benefits
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
1 Co-sponsor
History
- Referred to social services
- 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.
End Asset Limits for Benefits
In Assembly Committee · Social Services · Sponsor Yuh-Line Niou
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
4391
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
March 11, 2019
Introduced by Sen. BIAGGI -- 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 eliminating asset limits in calculating the amount of benefits for any household under any public assistance program
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Subdivision 1 of section 131-n of the social services law, as amended by section 1 of part X of chapter 54 of the laws of 2016, is amended to read as follows:
1. [The following resources] All assets held by the household shall be exempt and disregarded in calculating the amount of benefits of any household under any public assistance program[: (a) cash and liquid or nonliquid resources up to two thousand dollars, or three thousand dollars in the case of households in which any member is sixty years of age or older, (b) an amount up to four thousand six hundred fifty dollars in a separate bank account established by an individual while currently in receipt of assistance for the sole purpose of enabling the individual to purchase a first or replacement vehicle for the recipient to seek, obtain or maintain employment, so long as the funds are not used for any other purpose, (c) an amount up to one thousand four hundred dollars in a separate bank account established by an individual while currently in receipt of assistance for the purpose of paying tuition at a two-year or four-year accredited post-secondary educational institution, so long as the funds are not used for any other purpose, (d) the home which is the usual residence of the household, (e) one automobile, up to ten thousand dollars fair market value, through March thirty-first, two thousand seventeen; one automobile, up to eleven thousand dollars fair market value, from April first, two thousand seventeen through March thirty-first, two thousand eighteen; and one automobile, up to twelve thousand dollars fair market value, beginning April first,
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD02259-01-9
S. 4391 2
two thousand eighteen and thereafter, or such other higher dollar value as the local social services district may elect to adopt, (f) one burial plot per household member as defined in department regulations, (g) bona fide funeral agreements up to a total of one thousand five hundred dollars in equity value per household member, (h) funds in an individual development account established in accordance with subdivision five of section three hundred fifty-eight of this chapter and section four hundred three of the social security act and (i) for a period of six months, real property which the household is making a good faith effort to sell, in accordance with department regulations and tangible personal property necessary for business or for employment purposes in accordance with department regulations]. If federal law or regulations require the exemption or disregard of additional income and resources in determining need for family assistance, or medical assistance not exempted or disregarded pursuant to any other provision of this chapter, the department may, by regulations subject to the approval of the director of the budget, require social services officials to exempt or disregard such income and resources. Refunds resulting from earned income tax credits shall be disregarded in public assistance programs.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately; provided, however, that the amendments to section 131-n of the social services law made by section one of this act shall not affect the expiration of such section and shall be deemed to expire therewith.
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 eliminating asset limits in calculating the amount of benefits for any household under any public assistance program
Purpose or general idea of bill
To eliminate all asset limits in the calculation of benefits for any household under any public assistance program.
Summary of provisions
Section 1 - The social services law is amended by expanding the category of exempt and disregarded assets used in calculating the amount of bene- fits of any household under any public assistance program to all assets held by the household.
Justification
Many public assistance programs limit eligibility through calculations based on asset limits. Under these conditions, asset limits for public assistance programs incentivize households to spend down which is coun- terproductive to helping households achieve economic self-sufficiency. Eliminating asset limits encourage households to save up, instead of spending down. Other states have taken measures to increase asset limits or completely remove them all together. Eliminating asset limits from public assistance programs would help save administrative costs on burdensome, eligibility tests on households.
Prior legislative history
2018: A10417(Niou) - referred to social services.
Fiscal implications for state and local governments
It is anticipated that the lower administrative costs will reduce expenditures in the State.
Effective date
This act will take effect immediately.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.