NEW YORK (PIX11) – New York City has promised to speed up its process for approving and recertifying SNAP applications as part of a settlement with The Legal Aid Society, NYLAG and Dechert LLP.
A lawsuit filed against the city claimed it failed to handle SNAP applications within the 30-day timeframe set by federal and state law.
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The Legal Aid Society said on Monday that as part of the settlement, the city’s Human Resources Administration will overhaul its system for SNAP so that recipients see their benefits without delays.
The HRA will also make the following changes:
- Set and meet benchmarks for processing applications and renewals promptly
- Limit call-in interview wait times, provide same-day callback options and guarantee everyone who asks for an in-person interview to be offered one
- Modernizing its online and mobile platforms, including easier document upload to ACCESS HRA, receipts and tools to prevent wrongful denials
- Report application approval times, call wait times and case processing
- Train employees on new procedures
Advocates said that the settlement will help hundreds of thousands of low-income New Yorkers get SNAP benefits quickly and efficiently, without needing to deal with bureaucratic red tape…