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PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Kim Moscaritolo, Director of Communications and Advocacy at Hunger Free America
2:59:06
ยท
130 sec
Kim Moscaritolo from Hunger Free America testifies about the ongoing food insecurity crisis in New York City and the need for a robust response from the city government. She emphasizes the importance of increasing participation in federal food assistance programs and supports the creation of a universal benefits application system.
- Supports Intro 245, which would mandate a report on the feasibility of creating a universal benefits application
- Highlights the current difficulties and time-consuming nature of applying for multiple benefits in New York City
- Expresses concern over the MyCity portal's development and lack of operational important features despite significant spending
Kim Moscaritolo
2:59:06
Hello.
2:59:07
I'm Kim Maschiarottolo.
2:59:08
I am the director of communications and advocacy for hunger free America.
2:59:12
Our overall message is very simple.
2:59:14
New Yorkers still face massive food, insecurity and hunger crises citywide, and we need a massive response from the city, especially one that focuses on increasing participation in federally funded SNAP, WIC, school breakfast, and the new summer EBT program.
2:59:29
And given the massive funding cuts that are proposed, and in some cases already implemented by the federal government, it's more important than ever for New York City to step up and ensure that all New Yorkers have access to nutritious food.
2:59:42
We are here today specifically to support intro two forty five which would mandate the report on the feasibility of creating universal benefits application, and mandate the creation of such a universal benefits application as determined feasible by the commissioner of DSS.
2:59:57
So while it is true that it is easier to apply for multiple benefits in New York City than in much of the rest of the state, it is still an onerous process to obtain those benefits.
3:00:05
Rather than being able to apply for multiple benefits at one time, low income New Yorkers are forced to spend countless hours traveling to and waiting at social services offices, spending long times on phone calls, taking time away from work or raising their children.
3:00:19
Economists often talk about the term opportunity cost as it relates to higher and middle income people, meaning time they spend, on one task is not available to perform another important task, but they rarely apply this concept to low income people acting as though their time is essentially worthless.
3:00:36
But the reality is applying for benefits in New York City is a time consuming, humiliating, and costly process.
3:00:42
So we have long championed the idea of a single portal including the MyCity portal which we have been very supportive of.
3:00:49
We were particularly disturbed by reports that the city has already spent 100,000,000 on MyCity and none of the most important features are operational.
3:00:56
So we are not technology experts but every day our dedicated benefits access team works with struggling families to help them apply for and receive benefits they desperately need and we see the difficulties they face.
3:01:07
So once again, we fully support Intro February and we hope that you will work expeditiously to get this work started.
3:01:13
Thank you for the opportunity to submit this testimony.