S T A T E O F N E W Y O R K
________________________________________________________________________
2468
2023-2024 Regular Sessions
I N A S S E M B L Y
January 26, 2023
___________
Introduced by M. of A. HEVESI -- read once and referred to the Committee
on Social Services
AN ACT to amend the social services law, in relation to additional state
payment assistance
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. The social services law is amended by adding a new section
213 to read as follows:
§ 213. ADDITIONAL STATE PAYMENT ASSISTANCE. 1. IF THERE IS NO AGREE-
MENT IN EFFECT FOR FEDERAL ADMINISTRATION OF ADDITIONAL STATE PAYMENTS
PURSUANT TO SECTION TWO HUNDRED ELEVEN OF THIS TITLE, THE COMMISSIONER
OF THE OFFICE OF TEMPORARY AND DISABILITY ASSISTANCE SHALL BE RESPONSI-
BLE FOR PROVIDING ASSISTANCE TO APPLICANTS FOR OR RECIPIENTS OF SUCH
PAYMENTS AS IT RELATES TO APPLYING FOR, MODIFYING OR MAINTAINING SUCH
BENEFITS IN ORDER TO ENSURE MAXIMUM PARTICIPATION BY ELIGIBLE INDIVID-
UALS. THE COMMISSIONER SHALL CONTRACT WITH ONE OR MORE NOT-FOR-PROFIT
PROVIDERS THAT HAVE RELEVANT EXPERIENCE WITH SERVING INDIVIDUALS WITH
DISABILITIES AND, AVAILABILITY AND ACCESSIBILITY TO THIS PARTICULAR
POPULATION FOR THE PURPOSE OF PROVIDING SUCH ASSISTANCE IN ACCORDANCE
WITH THIS SECTION.
2. SUCH ASSISTANCE SHALL INCLUDE, BUT NOT BE LIMITED TO: (A) ASSISTING
WITH MEETING ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS INCLUDING GATHERING DOCUMENTATION
WHICH MAY BE NECESSARY TO DETERMINE ELIGIBILITY OR THE APPROPRIATE LEVEL
OF BENEFITS; (B) EXPLAINING RELEVANT DOCUMENTATION AS IT RELATES TO AN
INDIVIDUAL'S BENEFIT TO HELP ENSURE INDIVIDUALS UNDERSTAND THEIR BENE-
FITS AND ARE RECEIVING THE APPROPRIATE LEVEL OF BENEFITS; (C) ASSISTING
INDIVIDUALS TO ACCESS THE FAIR HEARING PROCESS BY SECURING ANY NECESSARY
DOCUMENTATION AND PROVIDING REFERRALS FOR LEGAL ADVOCACY; (D) PROVIDING
THE OPTION OF IN PERSON ASSISTANCE AND WHEN NECESSARY, PROVIDING SUCH
ASSISTANCE AT THE INDIVIDUAL'S RESIDENCE OR OTHER APPROPRIATE LOCATIONS,
SUCH AS A HOSPITAL; AND (E) IDENTIFYING ELIGIBLE INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE NOT
EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD05010-01-3
A. 2468 2
RECEIVING SUCH BENEFITS AND CONDUCTING OUTREACH TO PROVIDE THEM WITH
INFORMATION AND ASSISTANCE AS DESCRIBED IN PARAGRAPHS (A) THROUGH (D) OF
THIS SUBDIVISION TO SECURE AND MAINTAIN SUCH BENEFITS AND IDENTIFYING
SYSTEMIC BARRIERS ENCOUNTERED BY INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES APPLYING
FOR AND MAINTAINING SUCH BENEFITS. SUCH NOT-FOR-PROFIT PROVIDER SHALL
REPORT ON SUCH FINDINGS ON AN ANNUAL BASIS TO THE GOVERNOR, THE TEMPO-
RARY PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE, THE SPEAKER OF THE ASSEMBLY, AND THE
CHAIRS OF THE ASSEMBLY AND SENATE STANDING COMMITTEE ON SOCIAL SERVICES,
WITH THE INITIAL REPORT TO BE PROVIDED ON JANUARY FIRST, TWO THOUSAND
TWENTY-FOUR.
3. TO THE EXTENT NECESSARY AND APPROPRIATE TO FACILITATE AND EFFECTU-
ATE THE REQUIREMENTS OF THIS TITLE, SUCH NOT-FOR-PROFIT PROVIDER SHALL
COORDINATE AND COOPERATE WITH THE FEDERAL SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION
AS IT PERTAINS TO INDIVIDUALS FOR WHICH THEY ARE PROVIDING SERVICES AS
REQUIRED BY THIS SECTION.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.