low income
New federal legislation to combat food insecurity called Closing The Meal Gap introduced by anti-hunger advocates. The new legislation aims to fill the gap with food assistance benefits since the federal government canceled extra SNAP in March. If the bill passes, it would increase the baseline for SNAP benefits and extend them to families in […]
The City of Rochester and Monroe County are set to receive nearly $1 million in healthcare funding. The funding is meant to help low-income and underserved city and county residents impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. With the existing healthcare worker shortage in New York State, the programs will provide training and education for city and […]
Rochester, New York is another step closer to launching the Guaranteed Basic Income program for about 350 low income families. Under the GBI pilot program selected families living at or below 200% of the federal poverty line will receive months payments of $500. The program is to launch this spring. The details of the pilot […]
Since the pandemic and prior to there has been a lot of discussion on housing in the city of Rochester. With rising rent, evictions, housing quality, affordable home options, and foreclosures people are left with more questions than answers. Rochester City Councils Kim Smith will be holding input sessions to address housing in the city. […]
New York State is cracking down and limiting bank overdraft and insufficient funds fees. The reason is to encourage financial institutions to “address demand for low-cost banking services.” The insufficient funds and overdrafts fees disproportionately impact individuals with low-income. The Department of Financial Services sent the new guidance to regulated banks in New York State. […]
The 2022 Summer Food Service Program provided by New York State Education Department will begin in July. Free meals will be provided to over 400,000 children in New York. The free meals will be available at parks, libraries, camps, recreation centers, and schools across the state. There will be 3,000 sites statewide that will serve […]
Early this morning, the Biden Administration announced their plans to partner with internet providers to lower the cost of high-speed internet plans for low-income Americans. About 48 million Americans will qualify for the Affordable Connectivity Program, which will provide plans of at least 100 Megabits per second of speed for no more than $30. The […]
If you are not able to pay your utility bills due to the pandemic there is assistance available. New York State has funds available for families that did not receive help from New York’s Emergency Rental Assistance Program. The Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) is offering help to those eligible for one-time payments through the […]
During his daily briefing on Wednesday, May 20, Governor Andrew Cuomo noted that recent antibody tests conducted in New York City revealed that minority and low-income communities are still struggling with the spread of SARS-CoV-2. Faith-based groups that helped officials with acquiring samples found that 27 percent of approximately 8,000 tested people had been previously […]
Future generations will look back on how different communities handled the COVID-19 pandemic, and residents of Rochester, NY are determined to go down in history as a community that cared for its residents. Charities and non-profit organizations across Rochester are struggling due to volunteering shortages and canceled fundraising events. As a result, charities and food […]