NY Exempts Summer Youth Employment From Household Income

Hamodia

New York will exempt money earned in the Summer Youth Employment Program (commonly known as Youth Corps) from the household-income calculation for government benefits.

The measure was signed into law Tuesday by Governor Andrew Cuomo. It passed the legislature last June, sponsored by Assemblyman Simcha Eichenstein and Sen. Roxanne J. Persaud.

Previously, income earned through SYEP could push a family above the income limit for public-assistance programs, leading many parents to restrict their children’s participation in SYEP.

“I am thrilled that more young people will now be able to take advantage of these hugely beneficial summer employment experiences,” said Eichenstein, in whose district 12,500 youths participated in SYEP last summer. “This bill will greatly improve the lives of young adults from low-income families and ensure equal access for all to participate in the Summer Youth Employment Program.”

“Struggling families need all the help available to them,” said Persaud. “It doesn’t make sense that income earned by Summer Youth Employment Program participants could ultimately disqualify their household from needed benefits.”