Bill > S01791

This bill eliminates asset limits for households seeking public assistance in New York State, effectively removing previous restrictions on the amount of cash, resources, and property that recipients could own while qualifying for benefits. Prior to this bill, recipients were limited in their ownership of assets such as bank accounts (with caps ranging from $2,500 to $10,000 depending on household circumstances), vehicles (with specific fair market value limits), burial plots, funeral agreements, and other specific types of assets. The new legislation allows households to have all assets without penalty when calculating public assistance benefits. The bill also maintains existing provisions that disregard certain income sources, such as earned income tax credit refunds, and preserves the department's ability to exempt additional resources if required by federal law or regulations. The change aims to provide more financial flexibility for households seeking public assistance by removing barriers related to asset ownership. The bill will take effect immediately but is designed to expire with the existing section of social services law.

Government Affairs

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/S1791