What's happening
This bill requires New York to provide assistance, through experienced nonprofits, to help eligible individuals access and maintain additional state payments if federal administration is not in effect.
Why it matters
Targets gaps in benefit access. By requiring New York to step in if the federal government stops administering additional state payments, the bill proactively prevents vulnerable individuals—especially those with disabilities—from losing critical financial support.
Mandates hands-on, individualized help. The law ensures that applicants and recipients get real, personalized assistance, including help gathering documents, understanding eligibility, and navigating appeals—addressing practical barriers that often keep people from getting or keeping benefits.
Focuses on outreach and systemic barriers. The bill instructs contracted nonprofits to proactively identify and reach out to eligible people not currently receiving benefits, while also reporting annually on systemic problems faced by people with disabilities, potentially driving broader policy improvements.
Promotes specialized, experienced assistance. By specifying that only nonprofits with relevant disability experience provide this help, the legislation aims to ensure that support is accessible, knowledgeable, and tailored to the needs of the population served.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Help for State Benefit Applicants
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to social services
- Referred to rules
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 Disability Benefits
In Assembly Committee · Ways And Means · Sponsor Andrew Hevesi
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
6856
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
November 15, 2019
Introduced by Sen. SANDERS -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Rules
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
S. 6856 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.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the social services law, in relation to additional state payment assistance
Purpose or general idea of bill
To amend the social services law, in relation to requiring the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA) to provide outreach and assistance to applicants for or recipients of additional state supple- ment payment (SSP) assistance.
Summary of provisions
Section 1 amends social service law by adding a new section 213, which would require OTDA to contract with one or more not-for-profit providers to provide outreach services to SSP applicants and recipients as it relates to applying for, modifying, or maintaining benefits. The not- for-profit provider would be required to provide a report annually to the Governor and the legislature on their findings related to the outreach they've performed.
Section 2 provides an effective date.
Justification
SSP provides additional state-funded financial assistance to aged, blind and disabled individuals and is part of the monthly benefit paid to most Supplemental Security Income (SSI) recipients.
In October 2014, OTDA assumed administrative responsibility of SSP from the Social Security Administration (SSA). When SSA also administered SSP as part of the SSI application and payment process, individuals had the benefit of being able to access SSA's supports, including being able to receive in-person help at SSA offices throughout the state. These addi- tional support services were no longer available after OTDA assumed administrative responsibility. This legislation would require OTDA to contract with not-for profit agencies having relevant experience, with the purpose of providing the outreach services previously provided by SSA.
Prior legislative history
This is new legislation
Fiscal implications for state and local governments
To be determined
Effective date
Immediately
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.