Assemblyman Dov Hikind (D-Brooklyn) and NYC Public Advocate Letitia James had the highest praise for NYS Governor Andrew Cuomo and the NYS Department of Health (DOH) after being promised that the DOH system upgrade date/time will be changed to accommodate the Jewish community.

Yesterday, Assemblyman Hikind brought attention to how disruptive it would be for community residents to have EBT (electronic benefit transfer), including food stamps and SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits unavailable this Sunday, September 21, the largest shopping day before the Yomim Tovim. After highlighting the issue, NYC Public Advocate James also took up the cause. In just one day, the problem has been resolved: The Department of Health is promising that EBT benefits will be available by noon on Sunday.

“The system was supposed to be out of commission until the evening on Sunday but the Governor and his office made an enormous effort to quickly accommodate our community’s needs by decreasing the potential interruption due to the scheduled system update,” said Hikind. “Our community will have practically the whole day to do their shopping before the holidays.

“I want to express my sincere gratitude to the Governor and his team, as well as the gratitude of our community. Some people said yesterday that we were asking the impossible. But nothing is impossible when community works closely with government.”

Assemblyman Hikind also thanked NYS Senator Simcha Felder as well as David Lobl, aide to Governor Cuomo, for his amazing efforts. Hikind also recognized Yeruchim Silber ‎Executive Director at Boro Park Jewish Community Council and Masbia Director Sendy Rappaport for bringing the concerns of the community to his attention.

(YWN Desk – NYC)