“TIMING CAUSES DISPROPORTIONATE IMPACT ON OUR COMMUNITIES BEFORE OUR YOMIM TOVIM”

Assemblyman Dov Hikind (D-Brooklyn) is asking the New York State Department of Health to postpone their system upgrade, which will interrupt EBT (electronic benefit transfer), including food stamps and SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits. The system upgrade, scheduled to occur this Sunday, September 21, was recently announced. Hikind says the interruption will hurt the Jewish communities before the Yomim Tovim.

“This interruption of benefits will have a disproportionate and detrimental impact on our communities throughout New York State,” Assemblyman Hikind explained to the NYS Department of Health when he learned of the scheduled interruption to benefits access. “Our High Holy Days begin with Rosh Hashanah on the evening of Wednesday, Sept. 24. Sunday the 21st becomes the biggest shopping day of the year for many families who are unable to purchase food for three days once the holiday begins. In addition, our merchants prepare carefully for this Sunday, so it would be a great burden to our communities if this takes place. Please make a serious effort to postpone this system upgrade.”

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