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Valuable Assistance or Missed Opportunities?

Do shelters help battered women navigate the welfare system and access waivers under the Family Violence Option (FVO)? Data on sheltered battered women's experiences with the New York State welfare system suggest that the answer is both yes and no. Sheltered women are granted waivers at a far higher rate than the general welfare population in New York State, and sheltered women report that shelter staff assistance makes it easier to apply for welfare. However, even sheltered women report problems with the FVO screening, referral, and waiver processes and complain about the problems of linking shelter with welfare.