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& Statements
Contact: Frank Sobrino,
Press Secretary
O: (212) 669-4193
Statement
of Public Advocate Betsy Gotbaum
at City Council Hearing on Her REAACT Bill
I want to thank General Welfare Committee
Chairperson Bill de Blasio for holding this hearing and for his
support of the bill; Council Member Eric Gioia, for his early
support of REAACT; and the 23 Council Members who have signed
on as sponsors.
I also want to thank the Brennan Center
for drafting the bill. And Make the Road by Walking and the New
York City AIDS Housing Network for their work on REAACT. And I
also want to thank all the advocates here today to support this
bill for everything they do, day in and day out, on behalf of
New York’s neediest. Those of us familiar with what they
do are enormously grateful.
I’m introducing this bill so
New Yorkers will be able to meet with advocates in the public
areas of HRA Job Centers, and other public benefits offices, and
obtain information, advice, and representation. Make no mistake:
REAACT will improve needy New Yorkers’ access to city services.
Applying or recertifying for benefits
can be difficult and complicated, especially for people whose
primary language isn’t English. People going through the
process often don’t understand what information is required
of them and don’t know their rights when they are wrongly
denied benefits or services.
I’ve heard from many frustrated
New Yorkers, who call my office at their wit’s end because
they’re struggling to overcome needless obstacles to receiving
the benefits they’re entitled to.
Whether you’re applying for
public assistance, facing tenancy termination proceedings, or
just trying to navigate the City bureaucracy, advocates should
be there on the premises to help you. This bill does that.
And it’s not unprecedented.
Buffalo, Los Angeles, and San Diego all allow advocates access.
In fact, it’s not even unprecedented here in New York City,
where for years advocates were allowed to set up help tables in
benefits centers. The time has come for common sense to prevail
once again.
Allowing advocates to help New Yorkers
in need is the right thing to do. I urge you to support this effort
to make government services more accessible to New Yorkers in
need.
Thank you.
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