Jesus said, “As you have done
to the least of these, you have done to me” (Matthew 25).
Notice that he did not put qualifications upon the “least of
these”. He did not speak of the “deserving hungry” or the
“innocent imprisoned”. He told us to care about the hungry,
the thirsty, the stranger, the sick, the naked, and the
imprisoned as if they were Jesus himself. Period. Thus we
pray for those in poverty without qualification. And prayer
compels action –
Poverty is not uncommon in New
York. In fact, according to recent census data, 888,000
(20%) of New York State’s children are living in poverty,
and the state ranks 36th in the country in child
poverty rates. Our country’s current economic problems
disproportionately affect the poor. Families cannot meet
their basic needs for shelter energy, transportation, food,
and clothing.
Most decisionmakers will nod
in agreement that something must be done, but they seem to
be lacking in the will to do it. And so it is time that
people of faith speak out. Since there is no bill for which
to advocate, it is time to put some issues on the table.
This
memo speaks to one that will make a difference in the lives
of many low-income families.
Background
Since federal legislation in
1996 created the Temporary Assistance to Needy Families
(TANF) program, public assistance has become a temporary,
transitional program intended to move people into the work
force. Given this philosophy, it is especially unjust to
support people during this transition with grants that
amount to less than half of the federal poverty level. The
grant should, at the very least, be equivalent to the
federal poverty level, which would mean increasing the grant
by 49%.
New York State last raised its
basic grant level in 1990, when public assistance operated
the Roosevelt-era Aid to Families with Dependent Children
program. New York State has the money from the federal TANF
block grant to raise the basic grant. Unlike many other
states, New York has failed to use this funding to raise our
grant levels and spends more than $1billion a year out of
its total for purposes other than funding direct public
assistance to needy families. Last year the State Assembly
proposed a 10% increase in the basic public assistance
grant, but the proposal died in negotiations with the
Governor and the State Senate.
Please contact the Governor,
your State Senator, and your State Assemblymember and tell
them you support raising the public assistance grant by at
least 49% and urge them to do likewise. If you and/or your
congregation are involved in ministries to people in need
such as food pantries, soup kitchens or homeless shelters,
indicate that and if possible share a story or two
indicating the humanity of those you are serving.
Sample Letter
Please support a
significant increase in the public assistance grant this
year. I believe this is necessary because I see people
in my community who have been struggling to make ends
meet and have to rely on public assistance. Recent
downward economic trends are making matters worse.
As you know, the value of
their benefits has fallen to only 50% of the Federal
Poverty Level, or about $8,800 per year for a family of
three. The Public Assistance grant which has not been
raised since 1990 is woefully inadequate. Soup
kitchens, food pantries and homeless shelters simply
cannot keep up with the increasing numbers coming to
their doors for help.
I am especially concerned
about the 888,000 New York children living in poverty.
Some of these children and their parents are members of
my community. (Story here: I have looked into the
blank stare of a hungry child clinging to a parent who
is waiting hours in a long line for the small amount
they now get in assistance.) You can help make a
difference in the lives of such children by acting now
to raise the Public Assistance Grant by 49%.
Thank you for your
consideration.
If you need assistance finding your
elected officials’ addresses, Lutheran Statewide Advocacy
has a link to help you
HERE.
