Jean Stevens testifies for Volunteers of Legal Service
Jean Stevens of VOLS strongly supports Intros 307, 978A, and Resolutions 55 and 512, describing their rent freeze clinics and hotline, and arguing automatic enrollment, universal applications, and benefit restoration after temporary income increases would have immediate impact on the 57% of eligible New Yorkers who remain unenrolled.
Good afternoon, Council Members.
My name is Jean Stevens, and I'm the Director of the Benefits Law Project at Volunteers of Legal Service.
Thank you so much for this opportunity to testify.
Vols strongly supports Introductions 307, 978A, 476, 2026, 55, 512, because we know firsthand that the population we serve desperately needs all of this legislation.
So the Benefits Law Project, we assist New Yorkers who rely on public assistance, including screen and tree.
All of our clients live below 200% of the federal poverty level.
We're one of the few legal services providers that focus specifically on screen and tree.
Our goal is to reach the 57% of New Yorkers who are eligible for screen and tree but remain unenrolled.
We help them apply.
We help them to maintain their benefits so they can stay in their homes and communities.
And avoid eviction and displacement, as my colleague stated.
We host rent-free clinics all over the city where volunteer attorneys meet with clients to advise them on eligibility, help them apply and renew, also to troubleshoot any issues that come up.
Our volunteers also assist clients who contact us through our hotline, and we at Foles also advocate to DOF and HPD on our clients'behalf to resolve any issues.
So from our experience, we know why so many New Yorkers remain unenrolled.
Anyone who assists with these benefits can see that it's very
challenging for anyone, even attorneys, to navigate the applications, all the required documents, even for many people we assist to find the application, which we've been talking about, let alone older adults and people with disabilities.
The groups that this program is designed to benefit face the most challenges.
They cannot quickly research the correct application to submit.
They don't know how to find the documents they need.
They don't know how to access a portal or email or follow up on deadlines or how they're going to absorb a financial increase in their rent when their income goes up just for one year.
So all of these bills we support because they address these issues head on.
They have an immediate impact.
The increasing number of New Yorkers with incomes above $50,000 who live on that razor-thin line of affordability and precarity, paying more than a third of their income on rent, now they will be able to be eligible.
Many more people will be eligible.
An automatic enrollment system would create an opt-out mechanism rather than an opt-in and provide overnight relief for thousands of eligible tenants.
It would save thousands of hours of stress for tenants and administrative headache for the city and cost for the city.
Similarly, a universal application and recertification would mean applicants won't be applying to the wrong agency and missing out on months of benefits.
Those with children with disabilities could now benefit from DRI.
And then finally, those who do lose their screedry because of a temporary boost in income will then be able to get it back restored at their same frozen level.
For these reasons, we strongly urge the council to pass these legislative efforts to expand screen injury eligibility and streamline these processes.
Thank you so much.
I want to thank everyone to help our seniors, people with disabilities.
Thank you all.
Thank you.
Okay, we have next round is...
Susan Duquet.
Simon Geisker.
Walter Adler.
Walter Adler.
Omar Muhammad.
Michael O'Connor.
Michael O'Connor.
Christina, Christian, Christian Bar-Lopez.
Christian Bar-Lopez.
Nicholas Mosley.
Nicholas Mosley.
Alex Cardoza.
Cardone?
I think so.
Cardone?
Okay, when you guys ready, please speaking.
Thank you.