New York

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Resources (3)+

• What changed at DSS because of COVID-19? Can I still apply for temporary assistance?

  The Department of Social Services (DSS) has had to relax some rules and requirements because of COVID-19. This article has information about those changes and about applying for temporary cash assistance. Content Detail

  By:

  Neighborhood Legal Services, Inc.

• What to know if you have emergency needs at this time

  If you are a New York resident in urgent need of cash, watch this video to learn whether you may qualify for emergency cash assistance, what cash assistance provides, and how Covid-19 related considerations may affect your situation. Read More

  By:

  Legal Services of the Hudson Valley

• What to know if you need to apply for Temporary Assistance during COVID-19 (Video)

  If you can't find work or aren't able to make enough money to make ends meet, or if you do not have enough food, or are homeless or worried about becoming homeless, there different types of temporary assistance that may be able to help you. This video is about different types of assistance. Content Detail

  By:

  Legal Services of the Hudson Valley

Learn the basics (12)+

• Temporary Assistance

  General information from the NYS Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance on what is public assistance, who may be eligible, and how to apply. Content Detail

  By:

  New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance

• Public Benefits

  This manual, updated in 2013, has detailed information about the current welfare law, including Medicaid. Content Detail

  By:

  Neighborhood Legal Services, Inc.

• Public Assistance and Liens

  The Department of Social Services (DSS) can require you to sign a lien if you own a home and receive public assistance, but not food stamp benefits, child care assistance, and or HEAP. Content Detail

  By:

  Legal Assistance of Western New York, Inc.- LawNY® - Geneva Office

  Read this in:

  Spanish / Español

• Can My Boyfriend Live with Me If I Get Welfare?

  The welfare office cannot restrict who lives with you, but you have an obligation under the law to give them "complete and accurate" information about who lives with you and how you are related. Content Detail

  By:

  Legal Assistance of Western New York, Inc.- LawNY® - Geneva Office

  Read this in:

  Spanish / Español

• Do you need help paying your heating bill?

  This pamphlet provides information on resources in Ulster County that can help you if you are having a hard timing paying your heating bill. Content Detail

  By:

  RUPCO and Ulster County Corps

• Applying for Public Assistance

  This article presents the steps of applying for public assistance, including what to do if your application is denied. Content Detail

  By:

  Legal Assistance of Western New York, Inc.- LawNY® - Geneva Office

  Read this in:

  Spanish / Español

• Drug and Alcohol Treatment and Welfare Benefits

  If your local Department of Social Services (DSS) believes that you may have a problem with drug and or alcohol abuse, they can refer you for an evaluation. Content Detail

  By:

  Legal Assistance of Western New York, Inc.- LawNY® - Geneva Office

  Read this in:

  Spanish / Español

• If the Department of Social Services is Investigating You

  Know your basic rights when under investigation from Department of Social Services (DSS). Read More

  By:

  Legal Services of the Hudson Valley

  Read this in:

  Spanish / Español

• Immigrants’ rights to public benefits

  This fact sheet has answers to questions you may have about getting public benefits. Content Detail

  By:

  Mobilization for Justice, Inc.

  Read this in:

  Spanish / Español

• Protecting your benefits

  Learn how you can prevent problems that could arise with your public assistance by reading this article. Content Detail

  By:

  Legal Assistance of Western New York, Inc.- LawNY® - Geneva Office

  Read this in:

  Spanish / Español

• Public Assistance and Child Support

  Frequently asked questions about public assistance and child support. There are exceptions to the child support cooperation requirement - click here to find out more. Content Detail

  By:

  Legal Assistance of Western New York, Inc.- LawNY® - Geneva Office

  Read this in:

  Spanish / Español

• Public Assistance and Work Requirements

  Frequently asked questions about public assistance and work requirements. Content Detail

  By:

  Legal Assistance of Western New York, Inc.- LawNY® - Geneva Office

  Read this in:

  Spanish / Español

Recertification (1)+

• How Do I Recertify for Public Assistance

  In this 3-page overview, learn what "recertification" is, how often you need to recertify, and what to expect in the face-to-face interview. You will also learn about what happens if you do not recertify. Content Detail

  By:

  Mobilization for Justice, Inc.

  Read this in:

  Spanish / Español

Forms and tools (3)+

• myBenefits!

  The fast and easy way to find out about many health and human services programs and how to apply for them - anytime and anywhere. Content Detail

  By:

  New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance

  Read this in:

  Spanish / Español

• Application Forms for Public Assistance and Other Social Service Programs

  Click here to get forms to apply for all types of public assistance and other programs in many languages. Content Detail

  By:

  Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance

• ACCESS NYC

  ACCESS NYC is a free service that can help you find out if you are eligible for over 30 benefit programs. Read More

  By:

  NYC Human Services

  Read this in:

  Spanish / Español

Fair hearings (4)+

• Fair Hearing

  General information on fair hearings, including when and how to ask for one. Content Detail

  By:

  Neighborhood Legal Services, Inc.

  Read this in:

  Spanish / Español

• How To Win Your Fair Hearing

  Information on how to prepare and win your fair hearing. Content Detail

  By:

  The Legal Aid Society

• Frequently Asked Questions About Fair Hearings

  This fact sheet from the government answers many questions about fair hearings, including how to request one and what happens next. Content Detail

  By:

  New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance

• FAIR HEARING REQUEST FORM

  This form can be used to request a Fair Hearing. You have a right to request a Fair Hearing to challenge virtually any action (or lack of action) that the Social Services agency takes on your request for benefits (welfare, food stamps, HEAP, child care, Medicaid, and other programs). You also have a right to request a Fair Hearing if Social Services makes a change to benefits that you already get, and you disagree with that change. Content Detail

  By:

  The Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance

I have been discriminated against or denied a service (1)+

• Article 78 Proceedings – How to Appeal an Agency Decision

  If you disagree with an agency decision, you can appeal the decision to the New York courts. You can do so by bringing an “Article 78 Proceeding.” Content Detail

  By:

  Legal Assistance of Western New York, Inc.- LawNY® - Geneva Office

  Read this in:

  Spanish / Español

Filing a discrimination/harassment complaint (1)+

• How to file a discrimination complaint with the Office For Civil Rights

  If you have experienced discrimination, you can file a complaint with the Office for Civil Rights (OCR). This page on the HHS website explains how to file your complaint. Content Detail

  By:

  U.S. Department of Health & Human Services

  Read this in:

  Spanish / Español

I am a veteran or currently serving (1)+

• National Call Center for Homeless Veterans

  HOMELESS VETERAN in NEED of HELP? Call 1-877-4AID VET (1-877-424-3838) The Department of Veterans Affairs' (VA) has founded a National Call Center for Homeless Veterans hotline to ensure that homeless Veterans or Veterans at-risk for homelessness have free, 24/7 access to trained counselors Content Detail

  By:

  U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

I want to apply for public assistance (1)+

• What can I expect when I visit a DSS office?

  Read More

  By:

  Legal Services of the Hudson Valley

  Read this in:

  Spanish / Español

I am planning a funeral (1)+

• A Guide To Burial Assistance And Funeral Planning For New Yorkers In Need

  This guide for residents of New York City only provides information on burial assistance and funeral planning for families and friends of poor persons who have died, and for social workers and others involved with making burial arrangements for poor people. Content Detail

  By:

  Volunteers of Legal Service (VOLS)

Public assistance for homeless people (3)+

• Resources for homeless families in New York City

  This is a link to information about the services that are available to homeless families from the NYC Human Resources Administration (HRA). Content Detail

  By:

  New York City Department of Homeless Services

• Information on shelters for homeless single adults in New York City

  If you are a single adult that is currently homeless in need of shelter, visit this page to find out where to go, what to expect, and how to get a hospital referral should you need one. Content Detail

  By:

  New York City Department of Homeless Services

• Public benefits for families in homeless shelters

  If you live in a homeless shelter, this PDF can answer your questions about how much cash assistance and welfare benefits you can receive. Public benefits are different depending on which type of shelter you live in. Look through the pages to find answers for the type of shelter you live in. Content Detail

  By:

  City Bar Justice Center

I am a victim of domestic violence and I have questions about public benefits (2)+

• How to know if you are a victim of domestic violence and ways to stay safe

  This information is intended to help you determine if you are a victim of domestic violence and learn ways to keep you and your family safe, including temporary assistance from the New York Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance. Content Detail

  By:

  Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance

• Fact sheet on public benefits for victims of domestic violence

  When you apply for public benefits, the caseworker should ask if you are a victim of domestic violence. If you enter yes, he or she will assign you to a Domestic Violence Liaison. Follow this link to read more. Content Detail

  By:

  Legal Assistance of Western New York, Inc.- LawNY® - Geneva Office

  Read this in:

  Spanish / Español

I need an interpreter (2)+

• Do you have trouble speaking and understanding English?

  If you have trouble speaking and understanding English, know your rights! Read More

  By:

  Legal Services NYC

  Read this in:

  Arabic / العربية

  Spanish / Español

  Haitian Creole / Kreyòl Ayisyen

  Korean / 한국어

  Russian / Pусский

  Chinese / 中文

• Do you have trouble with English? Are you unable to to speak, read, write, or understand English well?

  Did you know federal agencies and organizations that get money from the federal government have to provide reasonable services to assist you? Learn more. Content Detail

  By:

  Federal Interagency Working Group on LEP

  Read this in:

  Spanish / Español

Work rules, work requirements and sanctions (1)+

• How do I Keep from Losing my Public Assistance Benefits because of Work Assignment Sanctions?

  In this 3 page overview, learn how you get a work assignment, what can happen if miss your work assignment, whether school counts as a work activity and what to do if you have children. You will also learn what to do if you cannot work or if you disagree with a decision by the NYC Human Resources Administration (HRA). Content Detail

  By:

  Mobilization for Justice, Inc.

  Read this in:

  Spanish / Español