Governor Kathy Hochul signed a new bill into law which will make it more convenient for families with two heads-of-household to use their SNAP benefits. This new legislation requires SNAP programs to make available two electronic benefit cards for each household that has more than one parent or guardian residing in the home. This will provide recipients more convenience in utilizing their benefits to feed their families.

"As New Yorkers continue to recover from the economic pains of the pandemic, it is critical that we ensure that public assistance programs are properly serving our most vulnerable communities," Governor Kathy Hochul said. "I am proud to take important steps to protect and empower New Yorkers who receive public assistance because nobody deserves to experience food or childcare insecurity, homelessness, or any other life-threatening stresses."

State Senator Julia Salazar said, "I'm proud to be sponsoring legislation as commonsense and as necessary as bill S8972A along with my colleague Assemblymember Simcha Eichenstein. With all the pressures families are facing, legislation is necessary to address real needs in our marginalized underserved communities. This is one of those needs. We're making sure that all of the guardians that make up our homes have access to their approved benefits at a moment's notice, and not have to treat one's card like a relay race baton. SNAP is a federal program that helps over 40 million Americans every year and 1.8 million of those are New Yorkers. This is a pragmatic move and I thank every legislator that supports this bill. And thank you to Governor Hochul for signing this bill into law as we address the gaps in our system."

Assemblyman Simcha Eichenstein said, "It's difficult enough when families who receive SNAP benefits must live under the constant pressure of feeding their children. Now they will no longer have to endure the inconvenience of sharing a card between two heads of households. This commonsense legislation is a simple, effective and practical solution to a frustrating and senseless problem. Thank you Governor Hochul for recognizing the importance of this issue and signing this bill into law, and thank you Senator Julia Salazar for your partnership on this bill."