Cuomo eliminates finger imaging for food stamps

[ringstrue]

I'm fighting on FB right now with people about this. They keep saying there is a lot of fraud in our area. Is there a way to get numbers for your area (or even just state) for how much fraud is happening there? I can't google well today.


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ALBANY, N.Y. - Governor Andrew Cuomo Thursday announced that New York State will end the finger imaging requirement for all food stamp applicants and recipients.

Cuomo says this will help simplify the application process and remove a barrier to reducing hunger among the state's children and adults.

Statewide, one in six children live in homes without enough food on the table. Yet 30 percent of New Yorkers eligible for food stamps — over 1.4 million people — do not receive them, leaving over $1 billion in federal funds unclaimed every year, according to the governor's office.

In his 2012 State of the State message, Cuomo pledged to increase participation in the food stamp program, including removing barriers to participation and eliminating stigmas associated with the program.

"There is never an excuse for letting any child in New York go to bed hungry," Governor Cuomo said. "For too long, requiring finger imaging from those eligible for food stamp benefits has created an unnecessary barrier to participation in the program, causing a negative stigma and keeping food off the table for those in need. By removing this barrier, additional New Yorkers in need will be able to access the benefits they deserve without having to submit to this unneeded and burdensome requirement."

[bugandbibs]

I think there is a lot of perceived fraud, because people in general think that most welfare users are scamming the system. My state uses a debit card/pin system, and I think that is fine. According to my state, the amount of fraud is very low but I can't find the link right now.

Coumo is right, in that they more obvious it is that you are using assistance the less likely people are to apply for help. We were a foster home for many years, and used WIC at times. People constantly had something to say about it while we were in the checkout line. It was embarrassing to have people judge all the time. I work will low income people who are afraid to use their food stamp debit card if there is a line.