Assemblyman Jessica González-Rojas joined defenders and legislators in a demonstration to demand the approval of legislation that combines SNAP fraud by creating a compensation fund for victims and the transition from the state of New York to EBT cards with chip.
González-Rojas, who represents District 34 of New York-which includes Astoria, Corona, East Elmhursst, Jackson Heights and Woodsis-has been a firm defender of food security. On Wednesday, February 12, he met at the Capitol with the assembly members Marcela Mitaynes (District 51, Red Hook) and Khaleel M. Anderson (District 31, Rockaways), along with several defenders, before the Legislative Budget Hearing on Human Services of the State of New York.
Assembly members Yudelka Tapia and Grace Lee also participated in the demonstration of last week, along with representatives of United Neighborhood Houses, Hunger Solutions New York, Legal Aid Society, AARP and several other non -profit organizations advocating Snap beneficiaries.
Legislators and organizations stressed that federal reimbursement programs for SNAP fraud have expired, leaving thousands of New Yorkers in difficulties to feed their families. They also pointed out that Snap fraud continues to occur despite the end of federal reimbursements. In addition, they mentioned that the “skimming” – a method of financial fraud that obtains card information at ATMs or points of sale – continues to affect the SNAP system.
The defenders urged the state legislature to approve the bill A3578, which would assign $ 50 million to establish a compensation fund for Victims of SNAP fraud and cash assistance, and the bill A0699, which would allocate $ 40 million for the transition to cards with chip in the state of New York and reduce the threat of the “skimming”.
The defenders argued that the use of cards with magnetic band and encrypted chip technology, such as credit and debit cards, would help significantly combat SNAP fraud and reduce the need for reimbursements.
However, efforts at the federal level to implement cards with chip have been stagnant, which has led several states to take measures on their own. California and Oklahoma plan to enter EBT cards with chip this year.
González-Rojas, who co -matocinated both bills, said that these legislative initiatives would ensure that Snap beneficiaries in New York can feed their families.
«New York faces a hunger epidemic, with thousands of people without access to meals every day. We must address this crisis and stop the hunger where we can, ”said González-Rojas. “With the increase in the cost of food and rent, we must do our job and provide relief.”
The defenders pointed out that Snap’s benefits stolen from December 21 of last year are not eligible for federal reimbursements and that thousands of New Yorkers continue to be victims of this type of fraud. They indicated that the New York Compensation Fund would help mitigate the loss of federal reimbursements.
They also stressed that the Compensation Fund is a short -term measure to assist Snap beneficiaries who have been victims of fraud, while the transition to cards with chip represents a long -term solution to prevent SNAP fraud.
Anderson, president of the Working Group on Policies of Food, Agriculture and Nutrition, said that thousands of New Yorkers have been victims of Skimming fraud on their SNAP cards.
«We must increase the minimum SNAP benefit to $ 100 and provide a compensation fund! We must also completely modernize the EBT card with safety chips and other proactive measures, ”said Anderson.
Mitaynes emphasized that the expiration of the federal refund of Snap left thousands of New Yorkers without options to recover their money and asked the state legislature to approve legislation in support of SNAP beneficiaries.
«We have the opportunity to reduce the probability that people are victims of SNAP fraud and, at the same time, offer them a reimbursement. This is how we should support our working class, ”said Mitaynes.
