The Legal Aid Society, the New York Legal Assistance Group, and Dechert LLP are pleased to announce the preliminary approval of a class action settlement in Forest, et al. v. City of New York, et al. — a class action lawsuit filed on behalf of New York City residents who are applying or recertifying for SNAP or Cash Assistance (including HASA) benefits or who have applied or recertified for SNAP or Cash Assistance (including HASA) benefits since March 2020.  

For the complete proposed settlement document, please click here. 

Settlement Information

As part of the settlement, the Human Resources Administration (HRA) has agreed to make improvements to their processing systems: 

• HRA will process all applications and recertifications in the time required by law. 
• HRA will reduce wait times for callers to On-Demand interview phone lines. 
• HRA will update the ACCESS HRA website and mobile applications to identify client documents that HRA is unable to read or use. 
• HRA will make it easier for clients to upload documents through ACCESS HRA and issue timely receipts when documents are submitted. 
• HRA will provide updated training to staff about new procedures and technology to improve HRA services and reduce errors. 

If I agree with the settlement, do I have to do anything? 

No. If you agree with the settlement, you do NOT need to do anything. If the Court approves the settlement, you will see changes to HRA’s processes for applications and recertifications for SNAP and Cash Assistance benefits, to make it easier for you to comply with the application and recertification requirements.

Fairness Hearing

The Fairness hearing will be held on June 30, 2026, at 1:00 pm at the United States District Court, Southern District of New York, 500 Pearl Street, Courtroom 12B, New York, NY 10007 before Judge Jennifer Rearden. 

More Information

For more information about the settlement or to obtain a copy of the proposed settlement agreement, you can contact the attorneys for the Class Members at 212-298-3100 or ForestLawsuit@nylag.org.

Class Notice in English
Class Notice in Spanish