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AGENCY TESTIMONY
Streamlining access to social services
0:17:58
ยท
3 min
Commissioner Park discusses the agency's efforts to modernize and improve access to various social services and benefits, including SNAP, cash assistance, Medicaid, Fair Fares, and home heating assistance.
- DSS saw the highest number of SNAP applications (36,000) and caseload (1.8 million) in recent years, managed through investments in online and phone application systems
- The FY 2025 budget for cash assistance is $2.57 billion to support a caseload of 590,000 recipients
- The agency is working to ensure Medicaid clients recertify their benefits as automatic extensions end, and has expanded Fair Fares eligibility to 145% of the federal poverty level
Molly Wasow Park
0:17:58
Now I'm going to highlight some of the work where we have successfully modernized and implemented process improvements to streamline access to social services and benefits.
0:18:08
This slide shows a linear graph highlighting SNAP recipients in blue and applications in green.
0:18:16
First, I'd like to acknowledge that DSS saw the highest number of SNAP applications, 36,000, and caseload, 1,800,000 since the period after Superstorm Sandy over the last several years.
0:18:28
There
Christopher Leon Johnson
0:18:29
was
Molly Wasow Park
0:18:29
a surge of applications at the beginning of the pandemic, but because of our investment in Access HRA and the ability of clients to apply, recertify, and interview online and on the phone, we have been able to manage the surge and ensure clients get these important benefits.
0:18:46
This next slide shows a linear graph highlighting cash assistance recipients in blue and applications in green.
0:18:55
Turning to cash assistance, in the preliminary budget, the FY '25 budget for cash assistance is $2,570,000,000 to support a caseload of 590,000 recipients through June 2025.
0:19:07
The FY '26 budget is $1650000000.00.09 $20,000,000 of which $468,000,000 was city tax levy, was added in the November plan for FY twenty five projected cash assistance costs.
0:19:23
This graph shows both one time and recurring recipients.
0:19:26
In February there were 584,000 ongoing recipients and 5,501 time recipients for cash assistance.
0:19:38
Although the one time recipients receive rent and utility arrears along with other benefits, it's important to note that many of our clients receiving ongoing assistance also receive emergency payments for rent arrears so they can remain stably housed.
0:19:51
In FY24, HRA issued emergency rent payments to over 55,000 households.
0:20:00
Next slide.
0:20:02
Along with SNAP and cash assistance, DSS HRA continues to support New Yorkers with other key benefits including but certainly not limited to Medicaid, Fair Fairs, and home heating assistance program.
0:20:15
I cannot stress enough that automatic Medicaid extensions are ending.
0:20:19
Clients must recertify their Medicaid in order to keep their health insurance.
0:20:24
This a requirement that is beyond the agency.
0:20:28
It's not something that we have a choice and we want to make very sure that we are getting the word out there.
0:20:34
We are working to ensure that everyone who remains eligible for Medicaid receives ongoing benefits and we have a robust outreach campaign to remind Medicaid clients of changes to renewal rules and the urgency of submitting renewal applications to avoid any interruption to coverage.
0:20:50
We hope that you will work with us all to continue to remind your eligible constituents that they do need to renew.
0:20:58
On another note, in collaboration with the council, we expanded Fair Fairs eligibility to 145% of federal poverty level and encouraged eligible New Yorkers to submit for benefits as soon as possible.
0:21:10
Lastly, in collaboration with the state, DSS HRA helps to provide access to home energy assistance or HEAP benefits.
0:21:20
Next slide.
0:21:21
Oops, one after that.