Anti-poverty groups push NY welfare grant hike

New York is buried in a historic recession, facing rising food prices and greater living expenses, and anti-poverty groups say it's more urgent than ever to increase the state's welfare grant.

The day before Gov. David Paterson was scheduled to deliver his State of the State message, anti-poverty groups are calling Tuesday for what would be the first increase in the welfare grant since 1990 and expanded access to Medicaid.

Paterson wants to increase the welfare grant in 2010 to provide a family of three with $387 a month by 2012, instead of the current $291 a month. If passed, it would benefit about 200,000 households.

While the groups praised his proposal, many argued more is needed.

Paterson says the state faces at least $15 billion in deficits over two years.

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On the Net: www.hungeractionnys.org

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