BILL NUMBER: S8651
SPONSOR: CLEARE
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the executive law, in relation to establishing the
office of New York state benefits coordination
 
PURPOSE:
Establishes the office of New York State Benefits Coordination.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
The Executive Law is amended to include one of the provisions of the
2025 State Master Plan On Aging, creating an office of New York State
Benefits Coordination. Powers, Duties and Scope of Work are established.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
New York State has a comprehensive Social Safety Net, but too many of
the programs are "siloed" and do not speak to or interact with each
other. In practice this means that many programs are undersubscribed,
and those Older New Yorkers who qualify for benefits, are going without
them. Benefit programs exist but not as of right. For example, the SCRIE
program requires yearly re-allocation and income verification. That is
why, at any given moment, 60% of those eligible are not enrolled. Before
we create any new programs, we should put our time and effort into
ensuring that Seniors who may need assistance with prescriptions, hous-
ing and heating can access all of these services in once stop fashion.
 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
New Bill.
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
None.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
180 Days.