Governor Andrew Cuomo of New York is pushing to end the current requirement forcing those seeking food stamps to undergo fingerprinting background checks, a process that he believes discourages those in need from seeking benefits.
Although New York State stopped requiring finger prints from food stamp applicants in 2007, New York City upheld the regulations as a way to prevent fraud.
The city insists that fingerprinting is a suitable measure in preventing fraud, and that fingerprinting has not impeded the hungry from obtaining food stamps. They estimated that in 2009 70.7% of those eligible for food stamps received them, as opposed to 68% statewide.
Governor Cuomo and other opponents of the system argue that the stigma attached to being finger printed deters many eligible people from seeking government help.
New York City is currently one of the only jurisdictions in the country that require all food stamp applicants to get fingerprinted. The state also requires applicants for welfare to submit fingerprints, which is not currently being considered for elimination at this time.