Tuesday, August 12, 2008 

(315)  798-5800

Picente: Oneida County Participates in
Pilot E-Application Process for Food Stamps

Oneida County Executive Anthony J. Picente, Jr., today announced that Oneida County will be participating in a state pilot program designed to reduce the barriers for qualified families who need Food Stamps by creating an on line application process.

Oneida County ’s facilitated internet Food Stamp applications will increase program access by expanding application hours and locations, and community partner facilitators -- the Central New York Food Bank and Mohawk Valley Community Action Agency -- will assist applicants to gather and submit verification of their eligibility for Food Stamp benefits.

 “The qualifying families who need support from programs such as Food Stamps need that assistance without delays,” Picente said. “The e-application concept is designed to help reduce the waiting period, which is an increase in efficiency that I fully support.  Reaching out to the people who are in need of services, and using technology to replace paper is a way to increase our effectiveness and truly help those who qualify for Food Stamps.”

Picente said the e-application process was developed by the New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA) to address identified barriers that were keeping qualified families for receiving assistance to which they were eligible. These barriers included a complex and time-consuming application process; confusing reporting and verification requirements; complex and time-consuming recertification process; and in-person requirements that conflict with work time.

“When families need Food Stamps to eat, it is in everyone’s interests that those families have their needs met as fast as possible,” Picente said. “The state is trying to develop a better system. We in Oneida County are pleased to pilot this effort in partnership with them so that people in our rural areas, as well as urban ones, can take full advantage of benefits that will help them stretch every dollar they have.”

Two agencies are assisting Oneida County with outreach efforts.

Mohawk Valley Community Action Agency Inc. will schedule applications by appointment with flexible hours as needed to help working families. Mohawk Valley Community Action will be using two sites:

·                    Utica : 6 Steuben Park. Call 624-0861 for an appointment.

·                    Rome : 1721 Black River Boulevard . Call 339-2649 for an appointment. 

The Central New York Food Bank will follow this schedule at area HeadStart Centers:

Utica: Access Center, 508 Second St. Wednesday, August 13^th, 9:30 a.m. – 2 p.m.; Friday, August 29, 9:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.; Tuesday, Sept. 30, 9:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.

Utica : Neighborhood Center , Mary Street . Monday, August 18, Noon- 3 p.m.; Wednesday, Sept. 10, noon – 3 p.m.

Rome : Griffiss Park . Monday, August 25, 9:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., Monday, Sept. 8, 9:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.

Boonville: Wednesday, August 20, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.; Wednesday, Sept. 3, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 16, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Camden: Thursday, August 21, 9:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.; Tuesday, August 26, 9:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.; Thursday, Sept. 4, 9:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.; Thursday, Sept. 18, 9:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.

Residents must first call the Food Bank at 1-866-839-7304 ex. 249 to set up an appointment.