Res. No. 716
Resolution calling upon the Bloomberg Administration to accept the federal food stamp Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents waiver, which would extend food stamp benefits for non-disabled adults without dependents.
By Council Members Foster, Brewer, Dickens, Gonzalez, James, Mealy and Sanders Jr.
Whereas, According to data from the U.S. Census Bureau, the poverty rate in New York City is stagnant and well above the national average; and
Whereas, From 2004 to 2005, approximately 22 percent of New York City residents were living under the federal poverty line, equaling roughly 1.7 million people; and
Whereas, The United States Department of Agriculture recently reported that New York State saw a statistically significant increase in the number of food-insecure households in 2005, despite the fact that food insecurity decreased slightly in 2005 for the country as a whole; and
Whereas, The New York City Coalition Against Hunger’s 2005 survey found that more than one in seven, or 1.2 million New Yorkers, live in a food-insecure household; and
Whereas, Recent data from the Food Bank for New York City indicates that 32 percent of New York City residents had difficulty affording food at some point during 2005; and
Whereas, The federal Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 restricted access to food stamps for able-bodied adults (ages 18-50) without dependents; and
Whereas, Without the Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents (“ABAWD”) waiver, non-disabled adults without dependents who do not meet federal work requirements are currently eligible to receive food stamps for only 3 months in any 36-month period; and
Whereas, New York State has received a waiver from the United States Department of Agriculture to extend the three-month limit for applicants in counties with high unemployment rates; and
Whereas, A number of counties in New York State, some of which have lower unemployment rates than New York City, already accept the ABAWD waiver; and
Whereas, Although New York City is eligible for the waiver and would receive the waiver at no cost, the Bloomberg Administration has refused to accept the waiver; and
Whereas, If Mayor Bloomberg accepted the waiver, non-disabled adults without dependents would be able to receive food stamps benefits without time limitations provided that they remain eligible and make a good-faith effort to seek employment; and
Whereas, In a time where the City’s hunger and poverty rates are high, food stamp assistance would greatly benefit certain New Yorkers in need of food; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York calls upon the Bloomberg Administration to accept the federal food stamp Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents waiver, which would extend food stamp benefits for non-disabled adults without dependents.
FR
LS # 2369
2/12/07