January 2, 2015 Column: Emergency HEAP Program Starts on Friday; Applications Accepted in the UJO Every Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday

The article reported that Emergency HEAP Program Starts on Friday; Applications Accepted in the UJO Every Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday; Emergency HEAP can provide up to $575 (in addition to regular HEAP) to prevent utility shut-off.

The article had the guidelines, required documents, maximum income, and other information for perspective applicants looking for assistance to cover their heating and utility bills.

 

January 2, 2015 Column: Emergency HEAP Program Starts on Friday; Applications Accepted in the UJO Every Mon...

December 26, 2014 Column: Meeting with DOT Commissioner to Discuss Wallabout-Flushing Traffic

December 26, 2015, Column: HRA Commissioner Meets with UJO; Large Crowd at Wallabout-Flushing Meeting with... by United Jewish Column

The article on page 22 and 23 reported on a very-successful meeting with the DOT - arranged by the UJO together with Councilman Levin and Assemblyman Lentol - to discuss severe traffic issues on Wallabout Street and Flushing Avenue.
Brooklyn DOT Commissioner Mr. Keith Bray led the meeting; Councilman Levin attended, together with representatives of Assemblyman Lentol and Senator Squadron.
Attendees expressed overwhelming support for the UJO-proposed plan to turn Wallabout into a one-way street for the safety of the area and to ease congestion; DOT will consider improvements to the plan suggested by residents.

December 26, 2014, Column: HRA Commissioner Meets with UJO

Article appears on page 15 and 25.

 

HRA Commissioner Steve Banks meets with the UJO; Councilman Steve Levin, General Welfare Chair, attend the meeting; Various issues effecting Medicaid and Food Stamps (SNAP) recipients discussed.

Commissioner details plans to improve computer system to enable food stamps applicants to to review the status on their cases and applications; Will address other issues raised at the meeting.

 

 

December 26, 2015, Column: HRA Commissioner Meets with UJO

Statement by Rabbi David Niederman on Mayor de Blasio’s Base Lining of Additional Priority 5 Child Care Vouchers

“The community is tremendously thankful to Mayor de Blasio for base lining an additional 12.6 million dollars to fund Priority 5 vouchers for working parents, bringing crucial assistance to so many poor, hard-working families and their children city-wide. Base lining will give these families the peace of mind and security that they will be able to continue benefitting from it on a steady basis, so that they can look and find permanent work,” said Rabbi David Niederman.

Mayor de Blasio was always a strong proponent of extending child care services for working families, and from day one as mayor he was committed to reopen this important assistance to additional eligible children. Last year, the City Council, under the leadership of Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito included 12.6 million dollars for additional vouchers. It followed the strong advocacy of Councilman Stephen Levin, Chair of the General Welfare Committee, who was joined by many of his colleagues who called the city to restart issuing new Priority 5 vouchers – discontinued by the Bloomberg Administration.  The funding was enabled through the support of the Mayor. Today’s announcement by the mayor, that it will be base lined in the routine budget, as requested by the City Council, goes a long way in making this restoration permanent.

“We thank Speaker Mark-Viverito, Councilman Levin, and Mr. Avi Fink, for their hard work to expand child care services to all New Yorkers. Today’s decision is another step forward in the Mayor’s hard work to uplift all New Yorkers. We are grateful for that,” said Rabbi Niederman.

Councilman Levin's statement on baselining of low-income child care vouchers in Executive Budget

BROOKLYN – Council Member Stephen Levin is applauding the baselining of $12.6 million for low-income child care vouchers in New York City’s Fiscal Year 2016 Executive Budget. Low-income vouchers are an important resource for families throughout the City who depend on them to provide child care for their children. Levin, the Chair of the Committee on General Welfare, has made the baselining of funding for low-income vouchers a top priority during budget negotiations.

 

“The baselining of funding for low-income child care vouchers is a major step for families in need of child care in the communities I represent and throughout New York City. Families deserve high quality child care and by taking this action, we will help to ensure that families throughout New York City have continued access to this important resource. Thank you to Mayor de Blasio and his Administration for including this important funding in the Executive Budget.”