N.Y. Social Services Law § 131-p: Group health insurance benefits; condition of eligibility

§ 131-p. Group health insurance benefits; condition of eligibility.

Notwithstanding any other inconsistent provision of law and to the

extent permissible under federal law, any applicant for or recipient of

safety net assistance or family assistance who is or becomes employed

and whose employer provides group health insurance benefits, including

benefits for a spouse and dependent children of such applicant or

recipient, shall apply for and utilize such benefits as a condition of

eligibility for safety net assistance or family assistance. Such

applicant or recipient shall also utilize such benefits provided by

former employers as long as such benefits are available. The department

shall promulgate regulations to determine the eligibility requirements

of those applicants and recipients who have more than one employer

offering group health insurance benefits.

The provisions of this section shall apply to such applicants upon

their initial certification for family assistance or safety net

assistance and to such recipients upon their recertifications for such

assistance following the date on which this section becomes effective.

The cost of premiums paid by such applicants or recipients for such

coverage shall be deducted from such applicant's or recipient's earnings

as an expense incident to his or her employment.