NY A08353

Establishes a savings plan demonstration project in social services districts within cities with populations of one million or more, requiring temporary housing assistance recipients to contribute earned income to savings accounts instead of reducing shelter benefits.

Savings deposited in approved accounts remain exempt from income and resource calculations for 12 months following the recipient's discharge from temporary emergency shelter, allowing funds to accumulate with interest.

Funds collected in savings plans are pooled individually, tracked separately, and distributed to recipients upon discharge from shelter to facilitate transition to or stabilize residence in permanent housing.

Failure to contribute to the savings plan does not result in discontinuance of temporary housing assistance unless the recipient separately fails to comply with other eligibility conditions; unearned income is excluded from the savings plan requirement.

The demonstration project expires and is repealed on March 31, 2016, with implementation authorized upon approval by the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance and the Division of Budget.