File #: Int 1366-2025    Version: Name: Requiring the department of social services to create web forms for benefits and services applications.
Type: Introduction Status: Enacted (Mayor's Desk for Signature)
Committee: Committee on General Welfare
On agenda: 8/14/2025
Enactment date: Law number:
Title: A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to requiring the department of social services to create web forms for benefits and services applications
Sponsors: Yusef Salaam, Julie Won, Farah N. Louis, Justin L. Brannan, Susan Zhuang, Lynn C. Schulman, Selvena N. Brooks-Powers, Nantasha M. Williams, Chris Banks, Shahana K. Hanif, Eric Dinowitz
Council Member Sponsors: 11
Summary: This bill would require the Department of Social Services (DSS) to create web forms for any applications that must be completed by an individual to apply for benefits and services through DSS. The web forms would allow applicants to directly input information and electronically sign applications online. DSS would be required to continue to accept paper applications and forms that mailed or delivered in person.
Attachments: 1. Summary of Int. No. 1366-A, 2. Summary of Int. No. 1366, 3. Int. No. 1366, 4. August 14, 2025 - Stated Meeting Agenda, 5. Hearing Transcript - Stated Meeting 8-14-25, 6. Fiscal Impact Statement - City Council, 7. Fiscal Impact Statement - OMB, 8. Proposed Int. No. 1366-A - 12/11/25, 9. Committee Report 12/3/25, 10. Hearing Testimony 12/3/25, 11. Hearing Transcript 12/3/25, 12. Hearing Transcript 12/18/25, 13. December 18, 2025 - Stated Meeting Agenda, 14. Int. No. 1366-A (FINAL), 15. Int. No. 1366-A - Fiscal Impact Statement - City Council, 16. Int. No. 1366-A - Fiscal Impact Statement - OMB
Date Ver.Prime SponsorAction ByActionResultAction DetailsMeeting DetailsMultimedia
12/18/2025AYusef Salaam City Council Sent to Mayor by Council  Action details Meeting details Not available
12/18/2025AYusef Salaam City Council Approved by CouncilPass Action details Meeting details Not available
12/18/2025*Yusef Salaam Committee on General Welfare Hearing Held by Committee  Action details Meeting details Not available
12/18/2025*Yusef Salaam Committee on General Welfare Amendment Proposed by Comm  Action details Meeting details Not available
12/18/2025*Yusef Salaam Committee on General Welfare Amended by Committee  Action details Meeting details Not available
12/18/2025AYusef Salaam Committee on General Welfare Approved by CommitteePass Action details Meeting details Not available
12/3/2025*Yusef Salaam Committee on General Welfare Hearing Held by Committee  Action details Meeting details Not available
12/3/2025*Yusef Salaam Committee on General Welfare Laid Over by Committee  Action details Meeting details Not available
8/14/2025*Yusef Salaam City Council Referred to Comm by Council  Action details Meeting details Not available
8/14/2025*Yusef Salaam City Council Introduced by Council  Action details Meeting details Not available

Int. No. 1366-A

 

By Council Members Salaam, Won, Louis, Brannan, Zhuang, Schulman, Brooks-Powers, Williams, Banks, Hanif and Dinowitz

 

A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to requiring the department of social services to create web forms for benefits and services applications

 

Be it enacted by the Council as follows:

 

Section 1. Chapter 1 of title 21 of the administrative code of the city of New York is amended by adding a new section 21-156 to read as follows:

§ 21-156 Benefits and services applications web forms. a. Definitions. For purposes of this section, the following terms have the following meanings:

Application. The term “application” means a form that a person is required to complete to apply to the department for any benefit or service for such person or a member of such person’s household.

Web form. The term “web form” means an interactive document on a website that allows a person to input data, such as text or numbers, to a server for processing.

b. Except where prohibited by state or federal law or regulation, the department shall:

1. Provide a web form for any application that allows a person to sign and submit such application electronically; and

2. Provide an option for a person to conduct by telephone any interview required for purposes of completion of any application, except where the department determines an in-person interview is necessary to prevent fraud or address any safety concern.

c. Notwithstanding subdivision b of this section, the department shall receive and process any application that a person mails or delivers in person.

§ 2. This local law takes effect 120 days after it becomes law.

SA/ACK

LS #17793

12/10/2025 10:55am