Senator Calls Senate Passage of the “Public Assistance Integrity Act” Crucial For Progress
(Long Island, NY) Senator Ken LaValle reported that NY State made regulatory changes on deadline to preserve $120 Million in federal funds that were in jeopardy. New York State formulated and implemented policy changes required by federal law to stop the misuse of Electronic Benefits Transfer cards (EBT cards) to prohibit the use of welfare funds for the purchase of alcohol, tobacco, or lottery tickets. Senator LaValle said, “Taxpayer funds should never have been used for these types of activities. The Senate passage of legislation last month highlighted the issue for the state, and surely had impact towards amending policy. I am pleased the State is on the right path.”
The action followed the Senate passage last month of the “Public Assistance Integrity Act”, which would stop disreputable people from utilizing the Electronic Benefits Transfer cards (EBT cards) to pay for items that were never intended to be covered by the welfare system. The penalties under the measure would result in the individuals being removed from the welfare programs after a 3-strikes-you’re-out penalty phase.
