Food stamps are a great service for New Yorkers, and the American people. But, it's absurd that people would take advantage of such a program. It's sad that those who truly need food assistance must be made uncomfortable through fingerprinting because of those of who are taking advantage of the needy.

It's a case of supply and demand, and it's resulted in a backlog at food stamp centers across New York City. During testimony in front of the City Council today, officials from the Human Resources Administration blamed budget cuts and a rise in the number of food stamp applicants for the long lines.

In 2007, each food stamp administrator assisted 549 applicants. Now, the worker to case ratio is one to 852. Budget cuts didn't force any layoffs at the HRA, but the headcount has dropped by 1,300 positions in recent years.

Advocates for the poor want the backlog addressed now, predicting a rise in applicants if changes are made to the current fingerprinting policy. Governor Cuomo recently came out against the practice, which only exists in New York City and the state of Arizona. What do you say?

If you are on food stamps, what's it been like dealing with the City? Do you support an increase in funding to hire more caseworkers at the HRA? Should recipients be fingerprinted to reduce fraud, or does the stigma deter those in need?

Send your thoughts using the link above.

To fingerprint applicants is to virtually criminalize people who can't make ends meet through no fault of their own.

Dennis
Brooklyn

The policy of fingerprinting and making those who are the most needy feel like criminals is wrong and wasteful, I'm sure the money used to administer this policy could be better spent.

Felix
Bay Ridge

Fingerprinting is appalling! Its criminalizing poverty!!! +city shud b ashamed not hiring more. Wall St shud hav 2 subsidize it since they've caused layoffs+ 'trickle down economy' that's had these results! !

Samantha. Eastside.

Governor Cuomo is right to eliminate fingerprinting for food stamps. Seniors applying for food stamps should not have to go through the indignity and difficulty of getting fingerprinted when they need food.

Bobbie
Sheepshead Bay

It is a touchy subject but I believe they should be fingerprinted. When we work for the state we get fingerprinted and must also show another I.D. to get the job. If we don't have all of these credentials to show then we cannot enter any building to go to meetings or to take care of business pertaining to our job or even get into the place we work in.
Sometimes they send you to a different location because they might need you to help out at that other location.

My suggestion is they should do the same. If people are not busy move them around and take care of the overload.

maxxiee
mp

I believe in private charity. I do not believe in government charity. The difference is that the former is voluntary and the latter is theft, i.e. taking money out of Peter’s pocket to give food stamps to Paul. Voluntary charity is moral; involuntary charity is immoral.

Joe
Port Richmond, SI

Fingerprinting is appalling! Its criminalizing poverty!!! +city shud b ashamed not hiring more. Wall St shud hav 2 subsidize it since they've caused layoffs+ 'trickle down economy' that's had these results!!

Samantha. Eastside.

Governor Cuomo is right to eliminate fingerprinting for food stamps. Seniors applying for food stamps should not have to go through the indignity and difficulty of getting fingerprinted when they need food.

Bobbie
Sheepshead Bay

The policy of fingerprinting and making those who are the most needy feel like criminals is wrong and wasteful, I'm sure the money used to administer this policy could be better spent.

Felix Bay Ridge

It is a touchy subject but I believe they should be fingerprinted. When we work for the state we get fingerprinted and must also show another I.D. to get the job. If we don't have all of these credentials to show then we cannot enter any building to go to meetings or to take care of business pertaining to our job or even get into the place we work in.
Sometimes they send you to a different location because they might need you to help out at that other location.

My suggestion is they should do the same. If people are not busy move them around and take care of the overload.

All of these agencies have to many supervisors so let them apply their skills and start by making it a little easier for the recipients to get started with knowing what paper work they need just to get started and take it from there.

If we open a bank account we have to show two positive ID's and have our picture taken even with our picture being on the Drivers License.
I still don't know what the problem is.

Thank you John,

maxxiee
mp

I believe in private charity. I do not believe in government charity. The difference is that the former is voluntary and the latter is theft, i.e. taking money out of Peter’s pocket to give food stamps to Paul. Voluntary charity is moral; involuntary charity is immoral.

Joe
Port Richmond, SI

I think that asking people to be fingerprinted is demeaning,
time consuming and ineffective. There are more
people that have a need than those that are exploiting
the system. Bloomberg and this administration need
to spend some time without food and clothing on
the streets of NYC to gain the perspective they
need to truly help people. It's despicable.

saije

I believe only people truly in need should get food stamps and not a way of life. I applaud the fingerprinting and think only the disabled and elderly should be collecting. People in need should get a limited time on programs n prove they are trying to get off them

Joe from the UWS

No! to fingerprinting,

Isn't it bad enough that people have lost their jobs and some have lost their homes now they have to surrender what may be left of their self respect. To be treated like criminals in order to get food stamps to feed themselves and their families. Mayor Blumbergt may think this is acceptable but then again he will never be evicted and when he finishes up his 3rd term, he won't have to find a place to live. Even if his honor had to move a 1,000 times he would be able to afford it and Never know the humiliation of being fingerprinted in order to fill his belly.

This is absolutely keeping people away, good, honest hardworking people who have worked all their lives and have fallen on hard times.

Murnaki

Fingerprinting the needy for assistance is reminiscent to similar practices for identification of targeted groups during WWII...certainly appalling in the 21st century!

Rafael
Bushwick

Taxpayers should not be subsidizing one's ability to buy food. No person should be on food stamps in excess of 6 months, otherwise it's viewed as an entitlement. Fingerprinting should absolutely be a requirement for getting anything like food stamps on the backs of taxpayers. 50% of tax filers pay no federal income taxes. This is not entitlement nation. I don't work to fund anyone's health care, housing, or food.

Jack in Manhattan

Let the homeless purchase hot food. If they r homeless they cannot cook!
Some are professional and really have hit hard times.
Let them know they must deposit garbage in the street garbage.

Barb

I don’t think that people should be finger-printed, simply because they can’t make ends meet, and are compelled to get assistance from a Foodstamp program. If any one doesn’t like it, then, give them jobs. I am visually impaired, and was fortunate enough to pass civilservice tests, and get a job, that pays the bills. I made it to the other side of the street. Across the street from me is a Section8 (nursing-home status) building. If people can’t get jobs, and need assistance, those who “made it” should never judge those who did not, by their standards. If people don’t like it, give them jobs.

Challenging Assumptions and breaking Rules,

Peace with Justice,

Lucia

Had to wait almost 3 months for my food stamps, excuse from the center was apologies and that they were extremely back logged. You can't get a person on the phone. Just to ask a question, you must stand on line for 3 to 4 hours. I stood on lines for hours, had to lose plenty of days pay. I am a Single working mom with 2 children, it was absolutely ludacris what they put me through.

Lee from Brooklyn

Please only use my first name, thank you!

I lost my job late last year and for the first time in my life, I filed for food stamps.
When I found out I had to be fingerprinted, I did not like it. I felt it invaded my privacy and made me feel as if I was doing something wrong!

I was denied food stamps, and felt even more angry as they now have every piece of my personal information; social security card, birth certificate and finger prints.

After applying I had to go back because they lost copies of my social security card and birth certificates, then I had to go back again to get my fingers reprinted. When I looked at the computer screen, I saw the fingerprints I had already given two weeks prior.

So I believe we should not be finger printed!

Lisa

I am a 51 year old man, I lost my job 2 years ago and applied for food stamps in december.. I have to say that the process was not as bad as I thought, I applied online, I receivedd an approval 2 days later and I was awarded benefits..My only issue was that they did not mail me the card for 10 days, so I had to wait, which made for a Christmas dinner that consisted of an egg sandwich. Keep in mind that I had been employed since I was 19, and am now 50. Thats 27.considering my company eliminated my position in feb 2010. My unemployment benefits ran out on December 9th.. and ..unfortunately I cant pay rent with food stamps, so I am bordering on losing my apartment. tomorrow I will be 2 months behind. Where will i go? no Idea. I live alone and have no family here, I did go thru the fingerpring process. I went down to the Northern Blvd office and the whole process took about 2 hours.. I did not think it was so bad.. Now if they could only find me a job....

patrick

Many politicians cast aspersions on those who are receiving food stamps. Many who have never relied on them have preconceived notions about those receiving them. But there are those such as me, that are college educated, caucasian, professionals and artists who defy the prototype. YES, fingerprinting is humiliating and the whole city worker culture that treats you without dignity is extremely emotionally debilitating.

Joyce

I agree that food stamp recipients should be fingerprinted in order to confirm their identities.

No matter if you are rich or poor, I feel as if many people constantly try to pull a fast one in order to cheat the system. The playing field should be even for all those in need and whoever gets caught taking advantage of the system should lose all privileges.

By the way, nice new desk.

Thomas
Alphabet City

I don't understand this liberal bias - what in the world is wrong with being fingerprinted or showing an ID to get food stamps? You even have to show a picture ID at the post office to get your package. Have we all gone mad? I don't see anything wrong with having to identify yourself. People are ripping off the system.

Ray
Upper West

I moved to Sunnyside ,Queens 4 years ago from Manhattan and I have never seen so many people on line in front of me,especially in their 20's and 30's with benefit cards buying things like potato chips,dip and $5 containers of lemonade.Maybe you should better crackdown on people beating the system,instead of worrying about finger prints.I make $100,000 a year and I don't buy what they do.

Cary

Most of the people I see that work in foodstamp offices are too busy yapping with one another to do their job. They are nasty and rude while clicking their gum and act like your annoying them when you ask them for help.

Michelle

I think people that are struggling financially should get food stamps. It's bad enough that the cost of living is high, in which, the housing situation in New York City is bad, the wages are too low to make a living. This city has too much beauracracy and red tape. The governor says he wants the economy to move forward I don't see how it's going to happen with all this beauracracy. I can understand not taking advantage of the system and going to work, but with the unemployment above 8% people should not be finger printed.

Jesus

I work for HRA and I feel that the fact that people are being finger printed is cause to stop fraudulent behaviour. We do need more workers and the case load is so high that it does take time to activate a case.

bk

I don't believe people desire, choose or strive to be poor. The fact is that most people are poor and disenfranchised through no fault of their own, especially the disabled. The poor who are dependent on the system are often treated abysmally. Fingerprinting the poor in order for them to receive food stamps to me is akin to branding them, thus robbing them of their dignity and humanity. Just think, it can be them today and you (us) tomorrow. Compassion should teach us that "There but for the grace of God go I"

Joyce
Springfield Gardens

Since November 2011, I'm part of an outreach program to (NYC Hunger Free Consortium) to help seniors at senior center be screened on site for food stamps.

Despite good training from the NYC Food Bank staff, regarding the matter of finger imaging, I'm surprised that seniors would rather go than get a doctor's letter., However, seniors \are often scuffled around and sometimes sent home.

I find this frustrating and inconsiderate.

However, I'm aware of a proposal by Assemblyman Keith Wright in Manhattan to exempt seniors from finger imaging.

I hope this plan can be coordinated with Gov. Cuomo's proposal.

Neil

I believe that AFIS fingerimaging is needed to prevent fraud several clients have been prosecuted. NY is a welfare state several clients get food stamps expedited especially homeless. And yes John it is proven.

Paul

Many politicians cast aspersions on those who are receiving food stamps. Many who have never relied on them have preconceived notions about those receiving them. But there are those such as me, that are college educated, caucasian, professionals and artists who defy the prototype. YES, fingerprinting is humiliating and the whole city worker culture that treats you without dignity is extremely emotionally debilitating.

Joyce
Manhattan

This city has a problem with fraud. Fingerprint the people. Only the guilty will object.

Ben
Brooklyn

Why do we begrudge the less fortunate food stamps but let Wall Street of the hook for 150 Billion in taxpayers money?

Merritt

there will always be fraud. however, the cost of fraud in public assistance and foods stamps is nothing compared to the fraud going on with the private contractors that the city pays to do the work formerly done by city employees – witness the $90,000,000 stolen in the Citytime scandal, and that’s just the tip of the iceberg. however, the focus is always on poor people committing fraud, welfare moms, etc. what about the billions lost because of the fraud committed by the banks with mortgages? I had to rely on food stamps a few years ago for a 2 months because my disability payments hadn’t started yet and I had $0 income. I was fingerprinted and I felt like a criminal.

M. from manhattan

I just wish people who used food stamps wouldn’t put their groceries into their brand new SUV. It seems too many people know how to work the system to get food stamps while some who should get them don’t.

Gerald

There is fraud in everything, from wall st to the hood. Do we put in place protections that will keep the integrity of the program? As for standing on line, filling out voluminous forms tolerating an inconvenience,Am I grateful that I can at least count on that assistance while I struggle to make ends meet?

Keep it real
Harlem

I am disabled and a single parent, I applaud finger imaging applicants, also yes the City and HRA need to hire more competent and compassionate caseworkers who don't ridicule and try to embarrass those who are applying. Also stop cutting food stamps every time Social Security gives a raise!

Monique

I have worked at the same job for 10+ years and I became disabled temporarily in october 2011 from a severe knee injury. I now currently make 648.00 a month on disability through my employer. When I applied for Food Stamps, Medicaid and Public assistance in November I was granted emergency food stamps, but a month later I was denied EVERYTHING because my income was too high. How can someone survive on 648.00 a month??

I personally believe that everyone should be fingerprinted and drug tested to receive government assistance. There are way to many cases of fraud and also drug abuse to the system which is preventing people like myself from getting the help that I need temporarily.

Marla

I completely agree with the caller from Fort Greene. I to have an 'inside opinion' and just like she said, every day there are multiple people coming to my office as new enrollments and they find out someone has been claiming food stamp benefits with their identity for years.

There is an office that they get referred to as soon as the situation arises but as of now that's the most they have.

Using social security numbers to catch fraud is a waste. I had a client that had five different cases - every case he either put in a middle initial, changed his name spelling, or changed a digit in his social security number

Honestly if your more worried about feeling like a criminal than trying to feed yourself and your family then you need to get your priorities in order.

Bentley

CUSTOMER SERVICE? what the hell is Melissa talking about? She is NOT a paying customer. This is not complicated. Gerald is right; I've seen them wearing fur coats and I've literally asked them to pay my supermarket bill since I'm paying for theirs.

The fraud is rampant.
Jessica, Kew Gardens

I try to look at both sides of the fence, and as a current food stamps/ public assistance recipient , i feel that it is un-nessacary to put more things required for us to do. i have had this discussion with plenty of my family members and friends and coming from people looking in they really don't know the run arounds that welfare actually gives us! Its overwhelming for us and they make it as uncomfortable as possible and it makes us feel less then parents, adults, and human beings . Most of us who are on welfare has worked before, now having no choice but to get on welfare, so we are in titled to get some help back if and when we need it. So why treat us less then human?

From ~M~ from manhattan

It's infuriating to watch a woman at the grocery store pull food stamps out of her gucci or coach bag and go get into a mercedes. It's rampant throughout flushing queens.

Matthew

The system definitely needs to be fixed. Unfortunately some people do not need food stamps but know how to cheat the system, while others starve. Fingerprinting should be enforced, or maybe the government should increase the amount of workers in there office.

Torocyn

Fingerprinting is a neccesity for the government to stop the rich from using food stamps and depriving those who are in desperate need of it. Foodstamps are not unlimited and should be reserved for those who really need help from the government. Not for those who just don't want to spend money for their own food.

Jtrsin

If one requires help, they should follow the rules of attaining said help. Fingerprinting is only like a 2nd tier level of fraud prevention because a lot of the fraud takes place during the initial application process. The city should invest in more strict income verification processes.

The lines are long in all of the offices, but from my experience, certain centers are open until 7PM on specific nights and on weekends. People can look up which documents they need online and should show up with them on the first day. The information is out there.

Turi

One way they can avoid fraud is make a scannable system were the can scan the items people use there ebt cards to buy because too many times I see people buy alcohol and tabacco with an ebt card

Carlos

Gov. Cuomo is right for saying no to fingerprinting for food. Emperor Bloomberg prefers to criminalize New Yorkers who receive a pittance of food stamps paid by the federal government. Were the former employees of the Human Resources Admininstrtion who lined their pockets with $8 million from the food stamp program fingerprinted? How about those CityTime crooks who billed us $722 million for a $66 million job? The Emperor didn't arrest those people or get city taxpayers' money back. There's much more fraud and crooks in Bloomberg's offices than in the food stamp office.

Bob
Manhattan

How about fingerprinting for food stamps, it sounds like a good idea to me. Almost everyone I know gets some for of fingerprinting at work why not for the people getting food stamps.Why not go a step further and watch for people who abuse the public assistance in the stores. I was in the super market the other day and saw a woman paying with her food stamp card. She was wearing a fur coat and was driving a brand new Mercedes Benz s550. I drive a 1999 Chevy and I work 60 hours per week on average. you won't get my vote with your opposition to these reasonable fraud prevention measures,Your not going to win the mayors race by only representing the poor you also have to protect the working class which is the city's as well as the country's tax base.

John

Fingerprinting is absolutely degrading. Not every single person is fraudulent, there are trustworthy, honest people who actually need it. It is absolutely unnecessary and makes people feel worthless as if they are doing something wrong when they are not! NOT EVERY PERSON IS RIDING IN AN SUV!!! People who are using food stamps are stereo typed and finger printing just makes it worse. The system needs to be revamped! Low-income people are treated unfairly and it's complete discrimination! In low-income housing you are not allowed to attend school full-time, one is made to go part-time, you are made to have apartment inspections as if low-income people are savages! What's next...finger printing for affordable housing as well?! It needs to be stopped!

Linda
Chelsea

I was recently in a food stamp office last week. I just had brain surgery and explined this to them. I waited for 8:45am until 4pm (thats when i was called in). I was approved for emergency stamps it is now 4 days later and i still have not received anything.

Leona