NYS Budget Includes $15M Increase for Home & Community Services for Older NYers – Biggest in Nearly Two Decades; Will Help Thousands Avoid Nursing Homes

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Housing & Legal Counseling Services for Vulnerable Homeowners Saved With $20M Appropriation; But Budget Fails to Help Utility Consumers

ALBANY, N.Y. – AARP New York State Director Beth Finkel issued the following statement today on the final 2019-20 New York State budget:  

“The $15 million increase for services that help working and middle class New Yorkers care for their loved ones at home is the biggest boost in close to two decades and represents a major milestone; it will help thousands of families avoid more expensive, taxpayer-funded nursing homes and shows that our elected leaders recognize the wisdom of ensuring that these cost-effective services keep pace with the growing need of our fast-aging population.  

“The increase for these non-Medicaid services will move thousands of older New Yorkers off waiting lists for home-delivered meals, transportation to medical appointments and assistance with bathing, dressing and other daily activities, all of which help relieve the burden on their family caregivers and enable them to remain at home with dignity and independence as the vast majority want.  

“AARP applauds Governor Cuomo for proposing this increase and the Legislature for approving it.  

“AARP thanks the Governor and legislators for including $20 million to continue funding for vital housing and legal counseling services for vulnerable homeowners facing foreclosure and mortgage fraud. Without this appropriation, many providers would have run out of money at the end of this month and been forced to close.  

“AARP will also continue to pursue our aggressive campaigns to achieve other legislative priorities not included in the budget to improve the lives of New Yorkers 50-plus and their families, including establishing an independent utility consumer advocate as the majority of states already have, enacting a family caregiver tax credit and fighting high prescription drug prices as part of AARP’s nationwide ‘Stop Rx Greed’ campaign.”

Contact: Erik Kriss, ekriss@aarp.org

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AARP is the nation’s largest nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to empowering Americans 50 and older to choose how they live as they age. With nearly 38 million members and offices in every state, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, AARP works to strengthen communities and advocate for what matters most to families with a focus on health security, financial stability and personal fulfillment. AARP also works for individuals in the marketplace by sparking new solutions and allowing carefully chosen, high-quality products and services to carry the AARP name.  As a trusted source for news and information, AARP produces the world’s largest circulation publications, AARP The Magazine and AARP Bulletin. To learn more, visit www.aarp.org or follow @AARP and @AARPadvocates on social media.  

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