Stretching Funds: Lowering Eligibility Levels

empire justice center: report

• While waiting for its 2019-20 allocations from the Office of Children and Family Services, Saratoga County, which had used all its funding, had to stop taking new cases altogether, and lowered its eligibility level to 125% for families already receiving subsidies. After the allocations were released, Saratoga County raised eligibility to 175% of poverty, but is still unable to open any new cases.
• Delaware County only serves those at or below 125% of the federal poverty level. Niagara County only serves families at or below 130% of poverty.
  
• Although New York City has technically retained its eligibility levels at 200% of poverty, data shows that few families over 135% of poverty are being served.
  
• Two social services districts have lowered eligibility to 150%: Oneida and Clinton.
  
• Rensselaer and Livingston Counties have lowered eligibility to 160% of poverty, while Monroe County only serves families up to 165% of poverty.
  
• In Ontario, Suffolk and Schoharie Counties, eligibility is at 175% of poverty.