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Q&A
Council Member Avilés questions DSS on cash assistance and SNAP processing timeliness
2:01:59
·
5 min
Council Member Alexa Avilés questions DSS Commissioner Molly Wasow Park and other agency officials about the timeliness of cash assistance and SNAP application processing, as well as plans for improving the New York City benefits program. The discussion reveals significant improvements in processing rates and strategies for handling potential increases in demand.
- Current timeliness rates: 72% for cash assistance and 93% for SNAP applications
- DSS hired about 1,000 people for frontline processing and invested in technology to improve efficiency
- HRA is continuously monitoring trends to prepare for potential spikes in demand
- New York City Benefits program contracts with CBOs are funded for FY 2026, aiming to improve communication with clients about available benefits
Alexa Avilés
2:01:59
Thank you.
2:02:00
I'm gonna change my voice.
2:02:04
These are some additional questions regarding cash assistance and snap processing.
2:02:10
So the preliminary MIRRIS management report shows a timeliness rate of 53.4% for cash assistance applications as for the first four months of fiscal twenty five.
2:02:21
What is the current timeliness rate?
Molly Wasow Park
2:02:25
I'm very pleased to say that our timeliness rate is much better.
2:02:29
So for March numbers, cash assistance at 72% and SNAP is 93%.
2:02:36
We have been very focused on this and you're seeing the results.
Alexa Avilés
2:02:41
Amazing.
2:02:42
So let's see.
2:02:44
Okay, you answered my next question.
2:02:49
What are the timeliness rates for processing recertifications for SNAP and cash assistance?
Molly Wasow Park
2:02:55
Those are aggregate numbers.
2:02:59
Administrative French, anything you want to add?
2:03:03
Yeah.
2:03:04
Those those are aggregate for new applications and recertifications.
Alexa Avilés
2:03:07
The 72 and the Correct.
2:03:09
93 are aggregate.
2:03:10
Could you could you provide us with a a break of those?
Molly Wasow Park
2:03:15
I'm not sure if we can break up the data that way, but we will take a look and circle back.
Alexa Avilés
2:03:19
Okay, thank you.
Jill Barry
2:03:20
Yeah, I just, can I, if I can just jump in here, application, the timeliness numbers that we provide are only on applications?
2:03:28
We don't calculate timeliness and report, or report on timeliness for research.
Alexa Avilés
2:03:33
For research, okay.
Molly Wasow Park
2:03:34
Thank you.
Alexa Avilés
2:03:35
Thank you.
2:03:37
So what are the specific steps the agency is taking to bring itself in compliance with state and federal laws regarding timeliness of process?
Molly Wasow Park
2:03:47
So when I stepped into this seat a couple of years ago, we had backlogs of tens of thousands of cash assistance and SNAP, both applications and recertifications, and I'm very pleased to say that is not the case right now.
2:04:03
That was the result of a very deliberate effort, again, of across the agency teamwork to be able to get there.
2:04:11
We hired something like 1,000 people to do frontline processing on cash and SNAP.
2:04:16
We invested in technology so that we are better able to process.
2:04:22
We got some very key waivers from the state so that we were able to cut out some pieces of the process that we felt like weren't necessary.
2:04:34
So there was a whole host of changes that we made so that we were able to handle the workload that we're getting.
2:04:41
Application numbers are very, very high and commensurately recertification numbers are also very high, but we are staying current because we have put all of this investment in process and people.
2:04:54
Administrator French, anything you want to add?
Scott French
2:04:57
No, those are really what we've done, and I can just say on a monthly basis we're constantly looking at the numbers even on a weekly basis to ensure that we're staying on track with that.
2:05:06
And if we sort of see there might be some issue areas, we dig down very quickly to make sure that we can address that in real time.
Alexa Avilés
2:05:13
Yeah.
2:05:13
Well, certainly congratulations on being able to dig out of that.
2:05:17
Certainly, we wanna see as timeliness as possible.
2:05:20
Given the context where we're anticipating increased needs, particularly if everything comes to pass, are you developing a plan on how to meet potential spikes in need?
Scott French
2:05:37
Yeah, we sort of trend out what we know the peak months are going to be, you know, in the future to plan for that way, so that we can sort of ramp up and ramp down as appropriate.
2:05:50
And we would basically look if we start to see increased need, look at those different levers to see what would we ramp up or down quickly.
2:05:57
And so we work very closely with our performance management team, who is really tracking these trends and able to sort of mirror to us what we might see down the road so we can prepare a little bit in advance so that we're not caught off guard.
Alexa Avilés
2:06:10
And in terms of how does HRA plan to change or improve the New York York City benefits program in the new fiscal year?
Molly Wasow Park
2:06:21
So are the New York City benefits contracts with community based organizations?
2:06:27
Thank you.
2:06:28
I just want to make sure I was understanding.
2:06:29
So very pleased that we have the funding for FY twenty six for those contracts.
2:06:34
These CBOs do critical work in communicating to clients and to helping people understand the benefits for which they're eligible.
2:06:46
We actually had our first ever in person convening with all the New York City Benefits Contractors earlier this week.
2:06:55
Don't know, time has lost all meaning, but I'm pretty sure it was earlier this week.
2:06:59
It wasn't something we'd been able to do in person before because this started during COVID, but it was terrific to bring everybody together.
2:07:06
And as I said to all the CBOs who were in the room, think one of the things that we do well as government is create big systems that crank thousands of people through processes.
2:07:18
What we don't do well is necessarily meet people where they are and communicate in their language, figurative language.
2:07:26
Obviously we care very deeply about translation.
2:07:29
So I think having those CBO contracts where somebody who is a trusted messenger is in place to be able to talk about the benefits that are available to people is really important.
2:07:40
As I say I'm very glad we have the funding for FY twenty six in place.
Alexa Avilés
2:07:45
I'll turn it back to you guys.
2:07:47
I may need another round.