Int 1096-2023

Be it enacted by the Council as follows: Section 1. Section 21-325 of the administrative code of the city of New York, as added by local law number 124 for the year 2021, is redesignated section 21-325.1. � 2. Section 21-325 of the administrative code of the city of New York, as added by local law number 143 for the year 2021, is redesignated section 21-325.2. � 3. Chapter 3 of title 21 of the administrative code of the city of New York is amended by adding a new section 21-333 to read as follows: � 21-333 Eligibility specialists. a. Definitions. For purposes of this section, the following terms have the following meanings: Adult. The term "adult" means any person 18 years of age or older. Benefits. The term "benefits" means public assistance benefits as such benefits are defined by the commissioner. Eligibility specialist. The term "eligibility specialist" means a case manager or other staff employed by the department, or by a provider under contract or similar agreement with the department, who is assigned to work in a shelter to help clients in such shelter understand their eligibility for benefits, and who is distinct from a housing specialist described by section 21-303. Shelter. The term "shelter" means temporary emergency housing provided by the department or by a provider under contract or similar agreement with the department. b. The commissioner shall ensure that eligibility specialists are available at each shelter and shall maintain a ratio at each shelter of at least 1 full-time eligibility specialist for up to every 25 adult residents. c. The commissioner shall establish a training program for eligibility specialists that shall include, but not be limited to, a focus on establishing expertise in benefits available to shelter residents. d. The commissioner shall develop definite program goals by which the commissioner shall assess the performance of eligibility specialists in matching as expeditiously as possible eligible shelter residents with available benefits. � 4. This local law takes effect 120 days after it becomes law. SM LS #11199 5/31/2023 3:08 PM 2 2