NY A07556

Establishes HOPE (Health, Opportunity, and Personal Empowerment) pilot programs in eligible New York communities to help low-income individuals and families access multiple government benefits through integrated online accounts and mobile applications.

Creates HOPE accounts that allow target populations (individuals below 200% of federal poverty level, food insecure, homeless, or in foster care transition) to deposit paychecks, access matched savings programs, apply for benefits, and file taxes through a single device or platform.

Authorizes HOPE action plans as voluntary agreements between low-income households and government/nonprofit partners to help families earn, learn, and save through long-term relationships focused on upward mobility and economic security.

Appropriates $49 million annually for fiscal years 2024-2027 to the Commissioners of Temporary and Disability Assistance and Health to make competitive grants ranging from $250,000 to $3 million to eligible entities implementing pilot projects, with at least 10% allocated to persistent poverty counties.

Requires annual reporting on pilot project outcomes measuring accessibility, cost reduction, administrative savings, program accuracy, and banking service access, while prohibiting projects from reducing benefits, increasing work requirements, tracking immigration status, or eliminating in-person application options.