NY A03775

New York State adopts the Family Violence Option from federal Social Security Act Section 402(a)(7) to protect domestic violence victims in the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program from penalties and requirements that would make escaping violence more difficult.

Requires the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance to develop procedures for identifying domestic violence victims and providing universal written and oral notification to all TANF applicants and recipients about available counseling, supportive services, and waivers at application, recertification, and other key times.

Allows domestic violence victims to receive waivers from program requirements including work activities, time limits, paternity cooperation, residency requirements, and benefit reductions upon showing good cause that the requirement would hinder escape from violence or unfairly penalize the victim.

Establishes that victim allegations of domestic violence are sufficient evidence when the agency has no independent basis to question credibility, and allows corroborating evidence from police, shelters, medical providers, or other sources.

Requires mandatory domestic violence and sexual abuse training for all department employees and contractors who work with applicants and recipients, and mandates consultation with domestic violence experts and advocate organizations in developing procedures and training programs.

Extends TANF, Title XX, and Medicaid benefits to non-citizens who are battered immigrants, waiving citizenship restrictions when denial would endanger or unfairly penalize victims of domestic violence.