Food stamp program to be streamlined for working households

ALBANY, NY — Governor Eliot Spitzer has announced the launch of the Working Families Food Stamp Initiative. Nationally, 30 percent of all households participating in the Food Stamp Program have earnings. In New York State, however, the proportion of such families is 21.6 percent. Studies have attributed this lag to the need for working families to navigate a complex application process in New York. The initiative is designed to simplify the process.

As of January 1, New York State has waived limits on the amount of savings an income-eligible person can have and still receive stamp benefits. Additionally, eligible applicants outside of New York City who are working a required number of hours will no longer be subject to finger-imaging requirements.

A streamlined application process for low-income working families is being piloted in ten counties and New York City, in which working applicants will no longer have to visit a social services office.

Eligible households are those with an adult working 30 hours per week, or households with two adults who each work at least 20 hours per week. This waiver of the face-to-face application for eligible working families will be extended to the entire state later this year.

Beginning in May, a facilitated online food stamp application pilot project will also be launched.

Septic repair reimbursement available from watershed authority

NEW YORK CITY WATERSHED — The Catskill Watershed Corporation (CWC) Board of Directors recently authorized reimbursement of eligible costs for residential septic repairs and replacement conducted anywhere in the West-of-Hudson Watershed between July 2, 1999 and December 31, 2007, regardless of whether those systems are located in the current priority areas for the CWC’s septic repair program.

If you live within the New York City Watershed in Delaware, Greene, Schoharie, Sullivan or Ulster Counties, and can prove that your septic system was repaired or replaced between the above dates, you may be eligible for reimbursement. You must also produce contractor receipts and proof of construction approval from the New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP).

Currently, the program is focused on properties within 150 feet of a watercourse, or 500 feet of a reservoir or reservoir stem. Homeowners within the eligibility distance may sign up to have their system pumped out and inspected.

A call to the CWC to arrange an initial visit with technical staffers is the first step. Systems installed in conjunction with construction of new homes are not eligible for reimbursement.

For more information visit cwconline.org call 845-586-1400 or 877-928-7433.

Money available for historic preservation

ALBANY, NY — Applications are now available to eligible municipalities and not-for-profit organizations to compete for funds through Preserve New York, a grant program of the Preservation League of New York State and the New York State Council on the Art.

A total of $141,400 is available for historic structure reports, historic landscape reports and cultural resource surveys. Grants are likely to range between $3,000 and $15,000 each. The application deadline is May 5. Examples of eligible projects include historic structure reports for public buildings, historic landscape reports for municipal parks, and cultural resource surveys of downtowns and residential neighborhoods. In 2008, the Preservation League especially encourages projects that advance the preservation of neighborhoods that qualify for the New York State residential rehabilitation tax credit; preserve architecture and landscapes of the recent past; preserve historic bridges and transportation corridors including rural roads, canals and related structures; continue the use of historic municipal buildings; or support Main Street revitalization. Prospective applicants should contact the Preservation League to discuss their projects and to request an application form.

For more information visit preservenys.org.

Gunther addresses flood insurance

ALBANY, NY — Assemblywoman Aileen Gunther (D/C - Forestburgh) has authored legislation that passed the assembly last week requiring insurance companies to provide policyholders with an annual notice that their policy does not cover damage caused by flooding or mudslides (A6344B).

In 2005, many area residents were devastated by the worst flooding seen in over 50 years. Under the legislation, insurance companies would have to explain to policy holders every year, clearly and in plain language, that their policies do not cover flood and mudslide damage as well as inform them that insurance is available under separate policies issued in accordance with the National Flood Insurance Program.

“Flooding is the number one natural disaster, and the need for flood insurance is not limited to coastal areas,” said Gunther. “New York residents need to be kept informed about the exclusion of flood loss in their regular homeowners policies and the availability of a federally-insured program.”

Sex offender arrested

WOODBOURNE, NY — A convicted sex offender from Port Jervis who had failed to notify authorities that his address had changed was arrested by Fallsburg police on Sunday, February 3.

The offender, Joseph Lightfoot, 39, was convicted of rape in 1994. The law requires that he notify the state sex offender registery whenever his address changes. Failure to do so is a felony.

Lightfoot has been sent to Sullivan County Jail in lieu of bail, which was set at $10,000.