Griffo Proposes Strict Guidelines For Public Assistance Accountability

Senator Joseph Griffo is proposing a new set of statewide rules that would require recipients of certain public assistance benefits to apply for work.

In addition, the legislation would strictly limit what those benefits can be used for.

The proposed legislation would also establish a series of escalating penalties for each failure to comply with the laws and rules that govern the state's Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP

Senator Griffo says his intent is to encourage these recipients to wisely spend their benefits in ways that support them and their families, while also keeping them focused on the goal of finding employment that will allow them to once again become self-reliant..

Griffo says with the Governor looking to increase the income eligibility threshold for SNAP benefits, now is the right time to support the legislation calling for a stricter set of guidelines.