“Navigating a Bureaucratic Maze to Renew Food Stamp Benefits” (news article, July 24) vividly demonstrates that it is still far too difficult for many struggling New Yorkers to get federal SNAP benefits (the new name for food stamps) to which they are entitled. That’s why we strongly support thebill proposed by City Councilman Ben Kallos that would ease the burden.
To the Editor:
“Navigating a Bureaucratic Maze to Renew Food Stamp Benefits” (news article, July 24) vividly demonstrates that it is still far too difficult for many struggling New Yorkers to get federal SNAP benefits (the new name for food stamps) to which they are entitled. That’s why we strongly support thebill proposed by City Councilman Ben Kallos that would ease the burden.
It is important to note, however, that the de Blasio administration has already taken concrete, meaningful actions to remove barriers to the program. For the first time in nearly two decades, the city availed itself of the federal waiver to enable unemployed recipients of SNAP to continue to receive this vital nutrition aid as they continue to look for work.
This step aided tens of thousands of our most vulnerable neighbors.
The city has also made it easier for people to pursue higher education and still receive benefits, and it is rapidly adopting new technologies to quicken the application and reapplication processes.
Challenges that built up over 20 years can’t be fixed immediately, but the city is finally headed in the right direction.
JOEL BERG
Executive Director
N.Y.C. Coalition Against Hunger
New York
A version of this letter appears in print on July 28, 2015, on page A22 of the New York edition with the headline: New York Food Stamp Bill.
Read Full Story from Kallos for Council Campaign Updates http://kallosforcouncil.com/press-clip/new-york-times-new-york-food-stamp-bill-joel-berg
This article by Feed originally appeared on kallosforcouncil.com on July 29, 2015 at 04:52AM
