ALBANY,
N.Y. - Governor Andrew Cuomo Thursday announced that New York State
will end the finger imaging requirement for all food stamp applicants
and recipients.
Cuomo says this will help simplify the application process and remove a barrier to reducing hunger among the state's children and adults.
Statewide, one in six children live in homes without enough food on the table. Yet 30 percent of New Yorkers eligible for food stamps — over 1.4 million people — do not receive them, leaving over $1 billion in federal funds unclaimed every year, according to the governor's office.
In his 2012 State of the State message, Cuomo pledged to increase participation in the food stamp program, including removing barriers to participation and eliminating stigmas associated with the program.
What do you think? Leave a comment!
Cuomo says this will help simplify the application process and remove a barrier to reducing hunger among the state's children and adults.
Statewide, one in six children live in homes without enough food on the table. Yet 30 percent of New Yorkers eligible for food stamps — over 1.4 million people — do not receive them, leaving over $1 billion in federal funds unclaimed every year, according to the governor's office.
In his 2012 State of the State message, Cuomo pledged to increase participation in the food stamp program, including removing barriers to participation and eliminating stigmas associated with the program.
"There is never an excuse for letting any child in New York go to bed hungry," Governor Cuomo said. "For too long, requiring finger imaging from those eligible for food stamp benefits has created an unnecessary barrier to participation in the program, causing a negative stigma and keeping food off the table for those in need. By removing this barrier, additional New Yorkers in need will be able to access the benefits they deserve without having to submit to this unneeded and burdensome requirement."
$1 billion in federal funds unclaimed every year? If it is not being used, why not put half of it toward the budget?
ReplyDelete