DC 37 Executive Director Lillian Roberts urges swift passage of exempt income protection act

District Council 37 announced its support today for passage of legislation affording enhanced protections for the elderly, including the Exempt Income Protection Act (A.8527/S.6203).

This legislation would correct a loophole in the New York State civil procedure law that allows creditors to freeze bank accounts containing Social Security, pension, disability and similar funds. Under federal and state statues, such funds are supposed to be exempt from restraint.

DC 37 Executive Director Lillian Roberts stated, "We are seeing an upsurge in the number of retirees and elderly persons who find that their Social Security and pension checks - money that is rightfully theirs and that they need to pay rent and meet expenses - have been frozen by a creditor. This is a problem that needs to be fixed now."

Executive Director Roberts commended Speaker Sheldon Silver and other supporters of the Exempt Income Protection Act. On behalf of its 125,000 active members and 50,000 retirees, DC 37 is calling for the swift passage of this bill.

DC 37 is New York City's largest public employee union, representing 125,000 members and 50,000 retirees.