NY A04666

Requires local social services districts to decide on public assistance applications as soon as possible, but no later than 30 days after the application date

Eliminates the previous 45-day processing period that had applied specifically to home relief (now called safety net assistance) applications, standardizing all public assistance applications to the 30-day timeline

Allows exceptions to the 30-day deadline when applicants request additional time, verification difficulties cause unusual delays, or other reasons beyond the control of local officials occur

Repeals subdivision 8 of section 153 of the social services law and removes related provisions treating safety net assistance given during the first 45 days as emergency assistance

Updates language in multiple sections of the social services law to reflect the new "as soon as possible, but no later than thirty days" standard