Bill > S00602

This bill modifies the social services law to change how emergency shelter and rent arrears grants are administered. The bill establishes that applicants may receive an emergency grant to pay for rent, property taxes, or mortgage arrears only once per year, but allows district discretion to provide additional payments based on individual circumstances. Importantly, applicants will no longer be required to demonstrate their ability to repay future shelter expenses or enter into repayment agreements, and unrepaid shelter expenses will not impact their eligibility for future loans. The bill also adjusts income eligibility requirements, raising the threshold from 125% to 200% of the federal poverty line and removing previous language about repayment agreements. Additionally, the bill modifies provisions related to lottery winnings for public assistance recipients, reducing the lookback period for reimbursement from ten to five years and changing the threshold for lottery prize reporting from $600 to $20,000. The changes aim to provide more flexible and accessible emergency housing assistance while simplifying administrative processes for both applicants and districts.

Government Affairs

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/S602