Posted on 08/11/2009 12:53:55 PM PDT by b4its2late
Albany, NY - Governor David A. Paterson today announced a historic collaboration with George Soros and the Open Society Institute (OSI) that will provide one-time, $200 grants to more than 800,000 children in low-income families across New York State to help purchase school supplies as they prepare to return to class in September. Families who receive public assistance or food stamps can access this one-time Back-To-School Supplement of $200 per school-aged child (ages 3 through 17) starting today. The Governor was joined by Mr. Soros and other elected officials at P.S. 208 in New York City today to make the announcement.
“This first-of-its-kind partnership in New York is an example of how the public and private sectors can work together to foster a brighter future for the low-income families of our State,” Governor Paterson said. “These $200 grants will provide thousands of families with a much needed financial boost so that they can better meet the needs of their children as they prepare to go back to school. This partnership is a continuation of my commitment to aggressively identifying opportunities to use economic stimulus funds to help our neediest New Yorkers and to bolster our State’s economy.” Advertisement:
Mr. Soros said: “Even in the toughest of economic times, getting ready for school is important. When I was a student right after World War II, I had no money. I received cash from charities and I remember how important that was to my education. Since then, I have been very fortunate, so I am happy I've been given the opportunity today to help others. I hope these funds will relieve some of the financial burden on New York’s families so their children can start the school year off with a measure of optimism and hope for the future.”
Starting today, the $175 million sum is providing eligible families of school children, ages 3-17, with a one-time payment of $200 per child. The funds are available through the Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card system, which is used to access public assistance and food stamp benefits. Recipients can use their EBT card to withdraw the funds through an ATM, or to pay for items at retail locations where the cards are accepted.The supplements will be placed in accounts for each eligible family that can be accessed with their Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card, which are normally used to access public assistance and food stamp benefits. Two-thirds of the eligible recipients of the back-to-school supplements are in food stamp-only households, and the majority of these households are low-income working families or families receiving unemployment benefits.
Families can use the money to buy their children books, pencils, pens, notebooks, calculators, backpacks, shoes, tutoring, school uniforms and other clothing and essential school items. Families should look to take advantage of discounts offered by retailers in the coming weeks before school starts. The $175 million in Back-To-School Supplements will provide an economic boost to communities throughout the State as families purchase supplies, bolstering back-to-school retail sales.
Families should also check the New York State Consumer Protection Board’s “Stretch Your Dollar” tips at www.consumer.state.ny.us/syde_page.htm, to get ideas on how to make the back-to-school funds buy more while spending less to help their children. Recipients’ eligibility for public assistance, food stamps, child support and medical assistance will not be affected by receiving these one-time Back-To-School Supplements.
According to the NYC welfare office the funds are available for withdrawal up to 90 days from today.
one thing- not all families who recieve assistance are the same, not everyone can grow up in the 80”s and afford to go to college, so they get a job to take care of the kids they do have, myself, a single mom works to take care of my 2 kids, recieving no child support i do need help, i dont sit home all day with 10 kids running aroung collecting money either, i cant even get money, i rather struggle. my kids are young and we didnt have health ins, so they couldnt even see a dentist, i pay taxes just like every week like everyone else and yes that sucks. I can proudly say that i dont abuse the system, alot of ppl are not the same but i can say i know many ppl that will take that money and go get themselves somthing instead of using it for clothes and supplies for the kids and that is horrible. But not everyone should be put down just for those ppl. “ another reward for ppl who cant afford there kids” Like i said not everyone is the same. Its like saying, all black ppl look the same, or all white ppl look the same. oh and dont think i get thing handed to me, i pay mny whole $600 a month rent, and i get $800 a month job, tell me if you would struggle. sorry i didnt get a college scholarship handed to me, so because i couldnt be a doctor, my kids have to struggle, i think about that every day.
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What about other people in other states I’m a single mom of 5 living off of unemployment there are no jobs here (new jersey) and my kids wear uniforms and need lots of thinfs I would love help getting them the things they need and all 5 are in school and I new it was comming up soon so I started getting them what they need for school befor school was over in june and went to kmart with the layaway program and pay a little every 2 weeks so if I can do it so can they .....
I work for a bank located inside of a grocery store. Our ATM ran non stop today spitting out money to these eager recipients taking their new found riches. Lucky for them that the beer cooler is located right across from the ATM. I promise you that in many cases the children are not seeing the proceeds. How irresponsible for the state to dole out this money and not regulate the use of it more closely. I was sickened by the end of the day!
I knew it.
Back in the 80’s a friend of ours had a liquor store in a poor neighborhood. They used to call the days welfare checks came in “mother’s day”. It was always a good day for the liquor store. It seems nothings changed.
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According to a NY Daily News article:
"Billionaire philanthropist George Soros gave $35 million toward the program, with $140 million in federal stimulus funds routed through state government making up the rest."
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