The State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA) revealed recently that efforts to ease access to vital nutritional benefits for low-income working New Yorkers are already showing dramatic results.
OTDA Commissioner David A. Hansell announced that the state has already surpassed the mid-way point of reaching its goal of enrolling 100,000 additional working families in the Food Stamp Program by the end of 2008.
Through April, Food Stamp enrollment has increased by more than 55,000 households, thanks to the Working Families Food Stamp Initiative, which was launched last summer, and other related efforts.
Statewide food stamp enrollment in April totaled 1,006,259 households, the highest level since 1995.
“Governor Paterson and OTDA are firmly committed to increasing the economic security of low-income families in New York State,” Hansell said. “A significant component of this effort is making it easier for those eligible for Food Stamps to receive them. This is especially important as New Yorkers continue to face rising household costs in a struggling economy.”
Hansell also highlighted other related steps taken to help struggling New Yorkers:
“I am pleased to report that that we in New York are not only increasing access and benefit levels, but as indicated by USDA’s numbers, we are doing so as efficiently and cost-effectively as ever,” Hansell said.
The advocate community praised the efforts of OTDA and Governor Paterson in helping low-income families access Food Stamps.
Dr. Lucy Cabrera, President and CEO of the Food Bank for New York City said, “With food prices continuing to skyrocket and 3.1 million New York City residents experiencing difficulty affording food, finding innovative ways to put money in New Yorkers’ pockets is exactly what our government should be doing. As we discovered through a pilot program in New York City, expanding access to food stamp benefits using the web and community partners - as OTDA will be initiating statewide - is a win for low-income New Yorkers, their families and their communities.”
Linda Bopp, Executive Director of The Nutrition Consortium of New York State said, “New Yorkers will benefit from changes being made to the Food Stamp Program by the Paterson administration. Because of the changes, more people are now eligible for benefits, the application process is easier to complete, and thousands of families will receive additional food stamp dollars. During tough economic times it is especially important that New York State take these measures to help as many families as possible and maximize federal dollars coming into New York‘s economy.”
Thomas Slater, Executive Director at the Food Bank of Central New York said, “Partnering with government and community-based organizations to enhance awareness and eliminate barriers to participation have led to increased enrollment in the Food Stamp Program, which has allowed thousands of Central New Yorkers improved access to the nutritional support they need. By intensifying our outreach efforts to enroll clients, conducting media campaigns designed to call attention to the benefits of the program, and simplifying the process of obtaining food stamps, we are working together to ensure low-income families have healthy food supplies to feed their families adequately.”
David A. Hansell is the Commissioner of the State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance.
