Overview

• New York's Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance has changed its 'Safety Net Assistance' program rules to include non-citizens with pending asylum applications.
• Approximately 10% of New York's migrant population, potentially over 17,000 individuals in NYC alone, could benefit from the program.
• Critics argue the move puts financial pressure on lower and middle-class New Yorkers and attracts more migrants to the state.
• Supporters claim the assistance is a necessary support for migrants in the absence of new federal aid.
• The change comes amid warnings of 'extremely painful' budget cuts in NYC and a $53 million initiative to distribute pre-paid debit cards to migrants for food assistance.