Cuomo: We’ll use heating funds to shore up food stamps
Rick Karlin, Capitol bureau
With the latest federal farm bill reaping a cut in food stamp, or Supplemental Nutrition Assistance (SNAP) money to the states, Gov. Andrew Cuomo says they’ll tap some heating assistance funds, dedicated to those whose heating bills are included in the rent, to shore up the food program for about 300,000 households. Here are the details with some happy quotes:
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced that New York State is taking steps to preserve approximately $457 million a year in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits that would otherwise be cut by the recently enacted federal Farm Bill. The bill was slated to cut SNAP benefits an average of $127 per month for affected households in New York, including those that live in government subsidized housing or in certain congregate care settings. This action by the State will save benefits for nearly 300,000 households in New York.
“New York State is stepping up to help families in need who are losing vital food assistance because of Washington cuts to the SNAP program,” Governor Cuomo said. “These federal cuts have made it harder for our state’s most vulnerable residents to put food on the table. The State has intervened on behalf of these low-income New Yorkers to make sure they can get food for themselves and their families.”
New York State, through the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA), will dedicate approximately $6 million in additional federal Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) funding to maintain SNAP benefit levels for affected households. The funding will be used to increase the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) benefit of SNAP recipients in certain living situations for whom heat is included in the rent. By receiving the higher HEAP benefit, these households will remain eligible for the highest SNAP allowance for their energy costs, which enables them to continue receiving SNAP benefits at the level for which they are currently eligible.
http://blog.timesunion.com/capitol/archives/207014/cuomo-well-use-heating-funds-to-shore-up-food-stamps/