NY A05871

Amends Social Services Law Section 131-a to include home internet service as an eligible expense for public assistance recipients alongside shelter, fuel, and other necessities.

Requires social services officials to include amounts for home internet service payments when establishing standards of need for eligible households.

Makes home internet service payments eligible for public assistance benefits on the same basis as other utility and essential service costs.

Takes effect 90 days after becoming law, with regulations authorized to be adopted immediately for implementation.