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PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Abby Bieberman, Associate Director of Public Benefits Unit at New York Legal Assistance Group (NYLAG)
4:37:53
·
131 sec
Abby Bieberman from NYLAG testified about concerns regarding the FY '26 budget, focusing on issues with public benefits access and proposed changes to housing assistance programs. She highlighted ongoing problems with HRA systems and opposed changes to the City FHEPS program.
- Expressed concern over potential federal cuts to SNAP and Medicaid benefits
- Highlighted issues with HRA systems leading to improper benefit denials and delays
- Opposed changes to City FHEPS program that would increase tenant rent contributions from 30% to 40%
- Requested support for various legal services initiatives for low-income New Yorkers and immigrants
Abby Bieberman
4:37:53
Deputy speaker Ayala, chair Brannan, and staff, thank you for the opportunity to testify about the FY '26 budget.
4:38:00
My name is Abby Bieberman, and I'm the associate director of the public benefits unit at the New York Legal Assistance Group.
4:38:07
In a political climate where access to SNAP and Medicaid benefits are on the chopping block, where the intention is to create more barriers and or eliminate access to these benefits, the city must provide the highest level of care to New Yorkers in need.
4:38:24
Our clients still encounter problems completing their applications and recertifications because of systems at HRA that are not functioning well or not accessible, and these barriers are leading to improper denials.
4:38:38
Although we are pleased with the recent improvement in timeliness, we are still concerned that many of our clients are still waiting too long for cash assistance that they need for their families.
4:38:50
And these delays also put our clients up against housing court deadlines and dangerously close to eviction.
4:38:58
Failure to maintain these systems for recertifying and applying for benefits causes administrative churn and it leads clients to losing their subsistence benefits and to have to submit multiple applications before they are accepted.
4:39:10
In addition, NILAG imposes the city's harmful changes to the city FEPS program that will result in a higher rent obligation for recipients in conflict with the principle that no family should have to pay more than 30% of their income toward rent.
4:39:25
This will impact low wage working families who are on city feps, who already struggle to pay the 30% required under the current program.
4:39:33
Increasing their obligation to 40% will result in more eviction cases.
4:39:39
NILAG also has extensive initiative request for the following, including legal services for low income New Yorkers, immigrant opportunities initiative, immigrant health initiative, low wage worker support, legal services for veterans, legal services for low income immigrants, and estate planning and resolution.
4:39:59
These are all fleshed out in my written testimony, and thank you very much.
4:40:02
We look forward to our continued work together.