YOUR SUPPORT IS GREATLY NEEDED!
The FPWA needs your help to ensure that some important legislation is put in place so that those we serve can receive the assistance they need to continue building toward a better life.  Please take a moment to read about the vital legislation listed below and send a Memorandum In Support for each one or for the one that most greatly affects you or your organization. Simply click the title of each bill to take action today. Thank you!

Updated information. Take action now! 

• Paid Family Leave S.8428: Provides Paid Family Leave benefits to employees who must take time off from work to care for a newborn or adopted child or for a family member facing a serious health condition.
  
  
• Elimination of Child Support Requirement A.10258: Would eliminate the requirement that parents pursue child support as a condition for receiving subsidized child care assistance.
  
  
• Authorize the establishment of targeted, expanded in-home services for the elderly demonstration program (EISEP) S.7604/A.11435: This bill will provide grants to area agencies for crucial services for seniors.
  
  
• Informed HIV Testing A.11461/S.8722: This bill would update New York State Public Health Law Article 27F to incorporate several Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommendations outlined in MMWR Recommendations and Reports September 22, 2006.  These recommendations incorporated extensive community input, are based on best practices and are intended to comply fully with the ethical principles of informed consent. 
  

Ongoing campaigns. Please lend your support!

• HIV & AIDS: 30% Cap on Income Towards Rent A.05473/S.2890: Limits the amount of income that persons living with clinical/symptomatic HIV or AIDS who are receiving monetary assistance for their shelter are required to contribute towards the cost of housing to be capped at 30 percent of their household income.
  
  
• Earned Income Disregard increase and Eliminate 185% Standard Of Need (SON) Rule A.10467:  For public assistance households with children, this bill would increase the EID to 67% (currently 48%) of earnings to be disregarded for determining the grant amount. In addition, this bill would allow families to earn up to the poverty level before losing eligibility.
  
  

• Eliminate the 185% Standard of Need (SON) S.8410: By eliminating the 185% SON eligibility rule, this bill will allow public assistance recipients to reap the benefits from work and earn their way up to the poverty level before losing eligibility.  This bill will also enhance the State’s ability to meet federal work participation rates, since it will automatically allow more working families to maintain their eligibility until they reach the poverty level.

  
  

Be sure to check back here to keep up to date on the status of each bill and read about upcoming ways that you can continue supporting our efforts.