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Council Member Cabán introduces bill for transparency in benefit applications
0:20:03
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121 sec
Council Member Tiffany Cabán presents Intro 1148 of 2024, a bill to improve transparency and accountability in the city's benefit application process. The legislation would require DSS and HRA to provide detailed receipts to applicants for benefits or services, addressing issues of bureaucratic hurdles and systemic barriers.
- The bill aims to streamline and expand existing transparency mechanisms in the application process.
- It would require receipts to include application date, submitted documents, a copy of the application, and information on completeness.
- Cabán emphasizes the bill's importance in helping New Yorkers navigate the benefits system with greater clarity and confidence.
Tiffany Cabán
0:20:03
Thank you chair Ayala for the opportunity to speak today about intro eleven forty eight of 2024, a bill that I introduced to improve transparency and accountability in our city's benefit application process.
0:20:14
This legislation would require DSS and HRA to provide applicants with a receipt whenever they apply for benefits or services.
0:20:21
For years now, chronic underfunding and understaffing under the Adams administration has left our city agencies inadequately equipped to meet New Yorkers everyday needs.
0:20:30
And as a result, when they try to access life saving benefits, our residents have struggled with bureaucratic hurdles and systemic barriers that have resulted in unnecessary delays, confusion, and rejections.
0:20:41
That's why the receipts act would require each applicant to get a receipt with important details such as the date of the application, a list of the documents submitted, a copy of the application, and an explanation of whether the application is complete or if further steps are needed.
0:20:55
This simple but ultimately very important step would help to ensure that New Yorkers facing some of the most challenging moments of their lives can navigate the process with greater clarity and confidence.
0:21:06
The testimony we're going to hear from advocates and organizations today who serve populations that rely on these services will demonstrate clearly that this bill is not redundant.
0:21:16
It would streamline and expand the mechanisms that currently exist for transparency in the application process.
0:21:21
And crucially, this bill would fill important gaps in the application process, strengthening these mechanisms and guaranteeing greater confidence among applicants.
0:21:29
Our constituents need this, and I look forward to working with DSS to address their concerns about implementation and make the receipts act work for our community.
0:21:37
This bill is about making sure our constituents can access the basic resources they need to survive.
0:21:42
So I I hope you'll join me and the two dozen of my colleagues that have already signed on in supporting this important measure, one that will ensure our neighbors are treated with respect and dignity they deserve when applying for critical public benefits.
0:21:54
And I hope we'll be able to work collaboratively with the department to make sure it is implemented effectively and helps plug the existing administrative gaps in our city's essential social welfare system.
0:22:03
Thank you.