| Releases
& Statements
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 7, 2008
Contact: Gia Storms
212.669.4813; 917.626.6757
Gotbaum Releases New Videocast to Help New Yorkers Access
Public Benefits
MANHATTAN -- Public Advocate Betsy Gotbaum today released a new videocast, “Helping New Yorkers Access Public Benefits” to promote her Ready Access to Assistance Act that would allow advocates to table in public benefits offices.
A full transcript of the videocast is below; the video can be viewed here.
**TRANSCRIPT**
[Text: Every day, countless New Yorkers are denied public benefits that are rightfully theirs.]
Francesca Mojica, a constituent seeking public benefits: “They don't have anybody to advise them or advocate for them, or tell them what's going on in the benefit offices. So, that's why I’m in support of this legislation.”
[Text: Advocates can help: Betsy Gotbaum introduced the Ready Access to Assistance Act in 2006]
Public Advocate Betsy Gotbaum: “All we're asking for in this bill is that the city allow advocates to go into the centers and to sit at desks, and to help people who come in get the benefits that are rightfully theirs. ”
[Text: REAACT would help New Yorkers obtain access to food stamps, subsidized housing and translation assistance -- all at no cost to tax payers.]
David Pedulla, Brennan Center Strategic Fund: “It only makes sense for the city to allow these advocates to set up information tables in public benefits offices, to guide low-income New Yorkers through an often very difficult process.”
Eric Gioia, New York City Councilmember: “What this bill simply does is cut the red tape, remove the burden, and allow people who want to help people go out there an actually do it.”
[Text: The bill currently has the support of 34 City Councilmembers, and countless advocates]
Andrew Friedman, Make the Road by Walking: “With our allies in this fight, we plan to continue working together until the Bloomberg administration decides to open the doors, and let New Yorkers get the help they desperately need.”
[Text: If you need help accessing a public benefit
Call 212.669.7250 or visit www.pubadvocate.nyc.gov]. End.
Public Advocate Gotbaum introduced REAACT (Introduction 359) in 2006, and the first hearing was held before the General Welfare Committee at the end of that year. Drafted by the Brennan Center Strategic Fund, the bill, which currently has 34 New York City Council co-sponsors, would allow advocates to help New Yorkers access food stamps, cash assistance, Medicaid, child care benefits, and subsidized housing. The law would take effect 90 days after the bill is passed.
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