NEW YORK

New York Family Assistance (TANF)

New York Family Assistance (FA) is one of the two programs in New York State that provides temporary cash assistance to families with children under the age of 18 as well as pregnant women.

Family Assistance (FA) provides benefits for up to 60 months over a lifetime. Once this limit is reached, households that remain eligible may transition to Safety Net Assistance (SNA).

As a condition of eligibility, recipients of Family Assistance (FA) ages 18—59 who aren’t exempt are required to comply with federal work requirements to receive benefits.

How much cash assistance will I get in NY?

The maximum monthly benefit for a family of three with no income living in New York City is $789 — one of the highest among the contiguous 48 states and the District of Columbia.

The table below shows how much assistance a family may receive based on family size.

How do I apply for cash assistance in New York?

You may apply for cash assistance online through myBenefits.NY.gov  or in person at your local Department of Social Services (DSS) office in your county.

New York City residents apply through ACCESS HRA , the New York City Human Resources Administration’s online portal.

New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance
Temporary Assistance (TA) Customer Service
(800) 342-3009

New York Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

New York SNAP is a nutrition assistance program that helps low-income New Yorkers, including working families, older adults, and people with disabilities — put healthy food on the table.

Eligibility and benefit levels are based on household size, family income, and whether the household includes elderly or disabled members.

Stricter work requirements for SNAP go into effect March 1, 2026. Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents (ABAWDs), ages 18 to 64, must work, volunteer, or participate in an approved training program for at least 80 hours per month to maintain SNAP benefits beyond a 3-month period.

How much food stamps will I get for a family of 3 in NY?

In New York, a family of three with no income may receive up to $808 in monthly benefits but may vary based on household size, income, and certain other expenses.

How do I apply for food stamps online in NY?

For an application as well as eligibility pre-screening, go to myBenefits.NY.gov . If you don’t already have an account, create one to apply.

New York City residents apply through ACCESS HRA , the New York City Human Resources Administration’s online portal.

After your application is submitted, the local DHS or SNAP office will review your information, conduct an interview, and determine your eligibility for SNAP.

New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance
SNAP Customer Service
(800) 342-3009

New York Medicaid

New York Medicaid provides prescription coverage through NYRx, the state’s Medicaid pharmacy program. Beyond standard medical care, the program offers long-term services, such as nursing home care and home health aides.

Adults ages 19 through 64 may qualify with income up to 138% of the federal poverty level. For a household of three, that is about $3,142 per month. Children and pregnant women have higher income limits. See the New York Medicaid guide for program details.

How do I apply for Medicaid in NY?

New York is operating a State-Based Marketplace, known as NY State of Health , through which you can apply for Medicaid, CHPlus or other private health insurance.

New York State Department of Health
Medicaid Helpline
(800) 541-2831

NYC Care

NYC Care is a health care access program operated by NYC Health + Hospitals. It is not an insurance plan. The program guarantees low-cost and no-cost care to New York City residents who do not qualify for health insurance or cannot afford it, regardless of immigration status.¹

Who is eligible for NYC Care?

An applicant must meet all of the following requirements:¹

• Lives in one of the five boroughs of New York City.
• Does not qualify for any health insurance plan available in New York State.
• Cannot afford health insurance under government guidelines.

Members receive a membership card, choose a primary care provider and may receive care at any NYC Health + Hospitals patient care location in the five boroughs. Services include preventive care, mental health and substance use services, and low-cost prescription medications.¹

How much does NYC Care cost?

NYC Care has no membership fees, monthly fees or premiums. Fees for each service are based on family size and income and start at $0.¹

How do I enroll in NYC Care?

Applicants may enroll by calling 1-646-NYC-CARE (1-646-692-2273), meeting with an NYC Health + Hospitals financial counselor, or visiting an approved community-based partner.²

New York Child Health Plus (CHPlus)

For families looking for health coverage for their children, New York State has a health insurance plan for kids, called Child Health Plus or CHPlus, with no annual deductible or co-payments.

All children under 19 years of age who do not qualify for Medicaid and do not have other health insurance coverage are potentially eligible Child Health Plus, regardless of income or immigration status.

CHPlus provides comprehensive benefits like doctor visits, dental, vision, prescriptions, and hospital care, with costs based on family income.

What is the income limit for NY Child Health Plus?

Under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), CHPlus covers uninsured children from families with income up to 405% of the federal poverty level or about $9,221 a month for a single mother of two. Families above that level pay the full monthly premium charged by the health plan.

How much does Child Health Plus cost?

There is no monthly premium for families whose income is less than 220% of the poverty level. That’s about $5,009 a month for a three-person family.

Families in higher income bracket pay a monthly premium  for Child Health Plus (CHPlus) ranging from $15 – $60 per child, depending on their income and family size.

For larger families, the monthly fee is capped at three children.

How do I apply for Child Health Plus in NY?

New York has set up its own Marketplace, called NY State of Health , you can apply for Child Health Plus coverage through the Marketplace.

For more information about Child Health Plus, please call
New York State of Heath
(855) 355-5777

New York Special Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)

New York’s Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Program is a special supplemental food program for women, infants, and children up to the age of five.

It provides nutritious foods along with nutrition education, breastfeeding support and information on where to apply for free or low-cost health care or other needed services in the community.

Applicants must meet the following criteria to be eligible for WIC:

1. Live in New York.
2. Be a pregnant, postpartum or breastfeeding woman, an infant or a child under 5 years old.
3. Have a household income less than 185% of the federal poverty limit.
4. Have a nutritional need or risk.

What is the income limit for WIC in New York?

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, WIC serves women, infants, and children in New York whose income is at or below 185% of the federal poverty level.³ That’s about $4,212 per month for a family of three.

Participants in an adjunct program — Medicaid, food stamps (SNAP), TANF, Head Start, Early Head Start are automatically eligible for the program.

How long does WIC last in NY?

In New York, WIC benefits last for different lengths of time depending on who is receiving them:

• Pregnant women: through pregnancy and up to 6 weeks after birth
• Breastfeeding women: up to 12 months after childbirth
• Non-breastfeeding postpartum women: up to 6 months after childbirth
• Infants: from birth until their first birthday
• Children: from age 1 until their 5th birthday

WIC is not automatic. Participants must recertify periodically to continue receiving benefits.

How much does WIC pay per month in New York?

In New York, children ages 1—4 receive $26 per month, while pregnant and postpartum women receive $47 per month, and breastfeeding women receive $52 per month.

How do I apply for WIC in NY?

Families applying for WIC benefits must go to the local agency to apply and be present at the time of application. To locate the local WIC agency nearest to you, call

New York State Department of Health
Growing Up Healthy Hotline
(800) 522-5006

New York SUN Bucks

New York has launched SUN Bucks, a new grocery benefits program that provides families $120 for each eligible school-aged child to buy groceries when school is out.

Children are eligible for the program if:

• the household already participates in SNAP, Family Assistance (FA), or be directly certified for free meals through Medicaid, etc. OR
• the child attends a school that offers the National School Lunch or School Breakfast Program AND
• the household income meets the requirements for free or reduced-price school meals.

Most families will get SUN Bucks automatically if they are getting other benefits. If you’re unsure whether you’ll receive Summer EBT automatically, use this eligibility checker  to find out.

New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance
Summer EBT Helpline
(833) 452-0096

New York Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP)

Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) provides nutritious meals and snacks to infants and children as a regular part of their day care. It aims to improve the quality of nutrition offered at a critical time in young children’s development.

The majority of CACFP participants are preschool-aged children up to 12 years of age. Eligibility is based either on the poverty status of the area or on the family income of the enrolled children.

If you have questions about the Child and Adult Care Food Program, contact the New York State Department of Health for more information.

New York State Department of Health
Child and Adult Care Food Program
(800) 942-3858

New York CityFHEPS

According to the New York City Human Resources Administration (HRA), CityFHEPS is a rental assistance program that helps individuals and families find and keep housing.⁴

It pays part of an eligible tenant’s monthly rent, and the subsidy can be used anywhere in New York State for up to five years.

The program is run by the NYC Department of Social Services (DSS), which includes HRA and the Department of Homeless Services (DHS).

Who is eligible for CityFHEPS?

According to NYC311, CityFHEPS is for:⁵

• low-income families living in shelters
• single adults living in shelters
• low-income families and adults at risk of becoming homeless

Eligibility includes a range of other requirements, and only DSS can determine whether your household qualifies.

How do I apply for CityFHEPS?

• If you live in a shelter, ask your case manager or housing specialist whether you are eligible.
• If you live in the community, go to a Homebase  office for an eligibility screening.

Once you have a CityFHEPS shopping letter and find a unit, follow the steps in the CityFHEPS Road Map before you sign a lease.

NYC Human Resources Administration
Rental Assistance Call Center (DSS OneNumber)
(718) 557-1399

New York Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP)

New York’s Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) provides free or low cost child care to families who need child care to work, look for work, attend employment training or an education program.

Eligibility is based on income and household size. In most cases, families must not earn more than 85% of the State Median Income (SMI) to qualify.

The program pays for part of the child care costs on a sliding fee scale , and parents contribute a small fee to the care provider based on their income.

What is the income limit for child care assistance in New York?

A family of three is considered “income eligible” when their gross income is at or below $8,154 per month.

How do I apply for child care assistance in NY?

NY CCAP is administered by Local Departments of Social Services (LDSSs) in 57 counties  and NYC. Complete and submit your application to the LSSD of the county you reside in.

You may also apply using the Child Care Assistance Application portal , unless you reside in New York City or Schenectady County.

New York State Office of Children and Family Services
General Help Line
(518) 474-9454

Since CCAP is managed locally, you should call your specific county’s office  for application status or local eligibility questions.

New York pre-Kindergarten Program

There are also free Pre-K programs  in NY public schools that are approved by the New York City Department of Education but provided by community organizations. These programs usually last 2½ to 6 hours of a school day.

Every family with a four-year-old in New York City may apply. During the application period, families can apply online with MySchools , over the phone, or in person at a Family Welcome Center.

Pre-K programs are offered throughout the five boroughs in NYC. If you have questions about pre-K admissions or waitlists, call

New York City Department of Education
NYC Pre-K / Early Childhood Education
(718) 935-2009

New York Section 8

New York Section 8, also known as Housing Choice Voucher program, helps low-income families, seniors, and people with disabilities afford decent, safe housing in the private market.

Unlike public housing, eligible families are issued a housing voucher to search for a unit in neighborhoods of their choice, including single-family homes or apartments.

The program works as a rent subsidy allowing families to pay no more than 40% of their income toward rent with NYCHA making up the difference up to a specific limit.

Is Section 8 accepting applications in NYC?

The application window for the general public lottery recently closed on June 9, 2024. NYCHA is currently not accepting  applications from the public.

When NYCHA begins accepting applications, there will be a public notice and you may apply based on that notice’s requirement.

New York State Homes and Community Renewal
Office of Rental Assistance Programs
(518) 474-5700

New York Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP)

Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP), also known as LIHEAP, is a federally funded energy assistance program to help low-income families pay the cost of heating their homes.

The HEAP program consists of three components

1. Regular HEAP,
2. Heating Equipment Repair and Replacement, and
3. Emergency HEAP if you are in danger of running out of fuel or having your utility service shut off.

Eligible households will receive between $21 to $996 of HEAP assistance. Those with the lowest incomes and the highest cost for energy will get the most help paying their bills.

How do I apply for HEAP in NY?

When the HEAP season is open, you may apply online for Regular HEAP at ACCESS NYC  for NYC residents or myBenefits.ny.gov  for those outside NYC.

New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance
Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP)
(800) 342-3009

New York HEAP Cooling Assistance Program

HEAP Cooling Assistance is also available to help New York’s most vulnerable, particularly those living in low-income communities and communities of color. Priority is given to New Yorkers who have medical conditions that can be aggravated by extreme heat.

If you are eligible, you may receive HEAP Cooling Assistance for the purchase and installation of an air conditioner or a fan to help your home stay cool.

Like HEAP funding, cooling assistance funds are limited and are distributed on a first-come-first-serve basis – up to $1,000 for eligible household.

How do I apply for cooling assistance in New York?

Apply for the Cooling Assistance program through HEAP on ACCESS NYC . Applications are scheduled to open on April 15, 2027 and run through June 22, 2027, or until funding runs out, whichever comes first.

For more information on how to apply for cooling assistance, please call

New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance
Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP)
(800) 342-3009

New York State Tuition Assistance Program (TAP)

New York State Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) is a need-based grant that helps eligible New York residents pay for undergraduate tuition at approved in-state colleges.

And since TAP is a grant, it does not have to be repaid. TAP is also available to part-time students taking as few as 3 credits per semester, provided they meet the same income requirements.

How much money can I get from NYS TAP?

For the 2026—2027 academic year, the annual TAP awards range from $1,000 to $5,665 per year. The exact amount depends on household income, college type, and enrollment status.

How do I apply for NYS TAP?

To apply for NYS TAP, you must file a FAFSA and list at least one eligible New York State college or school. After completing the FAFSA, you will be directed to submit your TAP application.

The TAP application deadline is June 30 for the academic year in which aid is requested. All eligible students who apply on time will receive the award.

Higher Education Services Corporation (HESC)
Customer Communications Center
(888) 697-4372

New York Earned Income Tax Credit

New York State EITC is a refundable tax credit for working New Yorkers who earn under $68,675 a year. It reduces the state tax owed and can result in a significant refund even if no tax is due.

New York State offers its own refundable EITC pegged to 30% of the federal credit, while New York City provides an additional EITC ranging from 10% to 30% of the federal amount.

How much is the Earned Income Credit for New York State?

For the 2025 tax year, eligible New York State families with three or more qualifying children earning less than $68,675 may receive up to $2,414.

How do I claim the New York EITC?

According to the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance, you must first qualify for the federal EITC, then complete Form IT-215, Claim for Earned Income Credit, and file it with your New York State income tax return (Form IT-201).⁶

New York State Department of Taxation and Finance 
Personal Income Tax Information Center
(518) 457-5181

Empire State Child Credit

The Empire State Child Credit  is a refundable New York State tax credit for full-year residents with qualifying children under 17, with expanded benefits for children under age 4.

The credit is generally worth 33% of the federal CTC and Additional CTC (ACTC). For the 2025 tax year, the credit is $1,000 for children under four and up to $330 for ages 4–16.

The full credit applies to taxpayers with modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) below the limits shown below and is reduced as income exceeds those limits.

To claim this credit, you must provide a valid SSN or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) for each child listed on on your Form IT-213 (Claim for Empire State Child Credit).

New York State Department of Taxation and Finance
(518) 457-5181