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PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Diana Ramos, Member of Safety Net Activists from Safety Net Project, Urban Justice Center
3:16:37
·
3 min
Diana Ramos, a member of Safety Net Activists and recipient of various social services, testifies about her experiences with HRA delays, including issues with benefit recertification, long phone wait times, and concerns about the CityFHEPS voucher program. She highlights the impact of delayed benefits on vulnerable populations and criticizes the proposed rent contribution increase for CityFHEPS recipients.
- Ramos experienced delays in receiving SNAP benefits due to administrative issues and struggled to contact HRA for resolution.
- She emphasizes the need for additional HRA staff and improved communication channels to address beneficiaries' concerns.
- Ramos expresses concern about the proposed increase in rent contribution for CityFHEPS recipients from 30% to 40% after five years, arguing it could lead to increased homelessness and higher city expenses.
Diana Ramos
3:16:37
My name is Diana Ramos.
3:16:38
I am a member of the Safety Net Activists, part of the Safety Net Project through Urban Justice Center.
3:16:46
I am also a recipient of SNAP and SNET EFAPs, and have received cash assistance until February of this year, when I finally got my SSI, after many years.
3:16:59
I am here to speak about my experience with HRA delays, from recertification issues to phone delays to issues with CIDIFEPS, and the fact that I wasn't notified about the housing allowance that was passed after I had already been receiving my voucher.
3:17:14
I have also I I also have some concerns I would like to voice.
3:17:19
I have been getting benefits since March of twenty twenty.
3:17:23
At first, I had no issues with HRA.
3:17:25
Then in September of twenty twenty three, I was renewed for cash assistance, but not for my SNAP benefits.
3:17:32
I didn't get my benefits until mid month.
3:17:34
In September 2024, I received my SNAP benefits late again.
3:17:40
I found that my 2024 SNAP recertification application was just sitting on someone's desk waiting for approval.
3:17:49
When I tried to call HRA to address the issue the first time in 2023, I waited on hold for four to five hours only to be hung up on.
3:17:58
This is not unique, but a typical experience for people receiving benefits.
3:18:04
There's no way for people to get their issues addressed.
3:18:06
In 2024, I was fortunate enough to have an advocate on my side to communicate with HRA over this issue and issues I've had since then.
3:18:17
99% don't have access to an advocate or a program or advocacy like myself.
3:18:23
HRA needs additional staff staff phone lines and at the offices to assist people.
3:18:30
The impact of benefits being delayed for people such as myself is that their health conditions could be impacted immensely if they don't get their benefits, such as someone who is celiac who cannot go to a food bank due to gluten allergies, which could hospitalize them.
3:18:46
For someone like myself, being a diabetic, there are certain foods I cannot consume a lot of.
3:18:50
My blood sugars will go too high and then crash and will possibly hospitalize myself.
3:18:55
There are thousands of people who would be getting vouchers if mayor Adams have implemented the City FAPs expansion laws of laws of July 2023.
3:19:04
Currently, these people are being evicted and or stuck in shelter while we await a judge's decision.
3:19:11
While waiting, HRA should concentrate on making the CityFepps process smoother and more efficient and to prepare for the influx of applications.
3:19:19
Of course, let's not forget about those who are working and going into their sixth year.
3:19:24
CityFepps are about to face a rent hike from 30% to 40%.
3:19:29
This would devastate working families, impact children, and possibly raise the number of homeless.
3:19:34
The 40% hike would not save the city any money and or put any more money in city coffers, but would cause an increase of spending on those who get evicted for not being able to pay their 40%.
3:19:47
Those people would end up in homeless shelters or on the street which would perpetuate a very negative cycle.
3:19:55
My biggest fear is that though the increase would only affect those who are currently working, what stops a similar increase to be implemented on those of us who are receiving SSI, SSD, and retirement benefits after five years on city febs.
3:20:09
Thank you for your time, I welcome any questions.