S T A T E O F N E W Y O R K
________________________________________________________________________
5690
2023-2024 Regular Sessions
I N A S S E M B L Y
March 22, 2023
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Introduced by M. of A. DAVILA -- read once and referred to the Committee
on Social Services
AN ACT to amend the social services law, in relation to establishing a
universal benefits form for individuals seeking public 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
152-d to read as follows:
§ 152-D. UNIVERSAL BENEFITS FORM. 1. NOTWITHSTANDING ANY OTHER
PROVISION OF LAW TO THE CONTRARY, THE OFFICE OF TEMPORARY AND DISABILITY
ASSISTANCE SHALL ESTABLISH A UNIVERSAL APPLICATION FORM TO BE USED BY
INDIVIDUALS APPLYING FOR PUBLIC ASSISTANCE BENEFITS. SUCH FORM SHALL BE
USED TO DETERMINE ELIGIBILITY FOR ALL BENEFITS ADMINISTERED BY THE
OFFICE.
2. SUCH UNIVERSAL BENEFITS FORM SHALL LIST ALL INFORMATION AND QUES-
TIONS ON SUCH FORM IN A MANNER THAT WOULD PERMIT ELIGIBILITY FOR ALL
PUBLIC ASSISTANCE BENEFITS ADMINISTERED BY THE OFFICE OF TEMPORARY AND
DISABILITY ASSISTANCE, AS MAY BE APPROPRIATE, OR REQUIRED BY LAW, RULE
OR REGULATION.
3. NOTWITHSTANDING ANY PROVISION OF LAW TO THE CONTRARY, LOCAL SOCIAL
SERVICES DISTRICTS SHALL PROVIDE ALL APPLICANTS FOR PUBLIC ASSISTANCE
WITH THE UNIVERSAL BENEFITS FORM.
4. NOTWITHSTANDING ANY OTHER PROVISION OF LAW TO THE CONTRARY, SUBSE-
QUENT TO THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THIS SECTION, THE OFFICE OF TEMPORARY AND
DISABILITY ASSISTANCE SHALL REVIEW THE UNIVERSAL BENEFITS FORM, NOT LESS
THAN ONCE EVERY SIX MONTHS, AND SHALL ADD ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION TO
THE FORM AS MAY BE APPROPRIATE OR REQUIRED BY LAW, RULE OR REGULATION.
§ 2. This act shall take effect on the one hundred eightieth day after
it shall have become a law. Effective immediately, the addition, amend-
ment and/or repeal of any rule or regulation necessary for the implemen-
tation of this act on its effective date are authorized to be made and
completed on or before such effective date.
EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.