New York, NY

New York Earned Income Tax Credit #

New York State EITC is an important tax benefit for income-earning New Yorkers who file income tax returns with the IRS and New York State. The EITC can reduce the amount of tax owed, and even result in a significant refund.

New York State offers an EITC pegged to 30% of the federal credit, and New York City has an EITC at 5% of the federal credit.

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

If you’re eligible to receive $600 from the federal government, the state will send you a check of $180.

• Family Size Maximum EIC
• 0 $180
• 1 $1,198
• 2 $1,981
• 3 or more $2,229

For residents of New York City, the EITC offers a unique advantage. Unlike many other cities in the U.S., New York City has a personal income tax.

As a result, for those who reside in NYC, the EITC encompasses credits provided by the federal government, the state of New York, and the city of New York.

Beginning in 2022, the New York City EIC will range from 10% to 30% of the federal EITC depending on filers' income.

Under the new expansion, a single parent with one child with an income of $14,750 will see the benefit increase from $187 to $933. That's a four-fold increase.

Noncustodial Parent Earned Income Tax Credit #

New York was the first state in the nation to enact a Noncustodial Parent EITC in 2006 that may be claimed by eligible taxpayers instead of the regular New York State EIC.

This refundable credit encourages low-income noncustodial parents to work and stay current with their child support payments.

To claim the NCP EIC, you must file a Form IT-209: Claim for Noncustodial Parent New York State Earned Income Credit along with the Form IT-215.

New York Family Assistance (TANF) #

New York Family Assistance (FA) provides temporary cash assistance to very needy families with children under the age of 18 as well as pregnant women. Receipt of cash assistance is limited to 60 months in a lifetime.

As a condition of eligibility, each person who applies for or is receiving FA, is required to comply with federal work requirements to receive FA benefits.

Family Assistance is one of two programs providing temporary cash assistance in New York. The other is Safety Net Assistance (SNA), a New York State program with no federal participation.

How much cash assistance will I get in NY?

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

New York Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) #

New York SNAP provides food support to lower income New Yorkers including working families, the elderly and the disabled to feed their families. Eligibility and benefit levels are based on household size and family’s income.

Eligible SNAP participants are issued a EBT card used to make food purchases at grocery stores and supermarkets, in lieu of paper food stamp coupons.

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 $740 in monthly benefits but may vary based on household size, income, and certain other expenses.

• Family Size SNAP Benefits
• 1 $281
• 2 $516
• 3 $740
• 4 $939
• 5 $1,116
• 6 $1,339
• 7 $1,480
• 8 $1,691

The actual SNAP benefit amounts are based on a household's net income with a general rule that an increase of $100 in net income results in a reduction of $30 in benefits.

How do I apply for food stamps online in NY?

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

If you need assistance finding food, paying household bills, or other essential human services, dial 2-1-1 to speak with someone who can help.

New York Medicaid #

New York Medicaid is a health care coverage for lower-income New Yorkers who couldn’t afford to pay for medical care — mostly uninsured children under age 18, pregnant women, disabled adults and seniors.

As New York is expanding Medicaid eligibility threshold, Medicaid will now cover most New Yorkers age 19-64 with income up to 138% of the federal poverty level. Children age 1-18 are covered up to 154%.

Pregnant women of any age are covered up to 223% of poverty and may apply for immediate coverage at these selected providers. Coverage for pregnant women has also been extended from 60 days to one year following childbirth.

A 5% disregard based on the federal poverty level (FPL) for the household size is applied and is reflected in the amounts shown above.

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 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.

There is no monthly premium for families whose income is less than 2.2 times the poverty level. That's about $54,690 for a three-person family.

Families in higher income bracket pay a monthly premium of $15, $30, $45, or $60 per child per month, depending on their income and family size. For larger families, the monthly fee is capped at three children.

What is the income limit for NY Child Health Plus?

Under the ACA, CHPlus covers uninsured children from families with income up to 405% of the federal poverty level or about $100,680 annually for a single mother of two. Families above that level pay the full monthly premium charged by the health plan.

A 5% disregard based on the federal poverty level (FPL) for the household size is applied and is reflected in the amounts shown above.

How do I get Child Health Plus in NY?

Starting January 1, 2014, you must apply for Child Health Plus coverage through the NY State of Health Marketplace. For assistance, please call 1-800-698-4KIDS (1-800-698-4543).

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.

All applicants must be income eligible and be individually determined by a health professional to be “at nutritional risk”.

What is the income limit for WIC in New York?

• Family Size Income Limit
• 1 $2,248
• 2 $3,040
• 3 $3,833
• 4 $4,625
• 5 $5,418
• 6 $6,210
• 7 $7,003
• 8 $7,795

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

How do I apply for WIC in NY?

Anyone applying for WIC benefits must go to the local agency to apply and be present at the time of application. Call 1-800-522-5006 to locate the WIC Local Agency nearest to you.

By 2019, the NYS WIC Program will be moving to an electronic benefit transfer system (eWIC). eWIC will allow WIC participants to purchase foods using an eWIC card instead of paper checks.

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 at 1-800-942-3858.

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 for CCAP is based on income, reasons for needing day care, and a child’s age or individual needs. In general, families with an income below 300% of the federal poverty level may qualify for assistance.

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

Table below shows the maximum amounts a family can make and still qualify. For example, a family of three is considered “income eligible” when their gross income is at or below $6,215 per month.

• Family Size Income Limit
• 2 $4,930
• 3 $6,215
• 4 $7,500
• 5 $8,785
• 6 $10,070
• 7 $11,355
• 8 $12,640

How do I apply for child care assistance in 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.

If you qualify for CCAP, you will receive a notice of approval that includes whether you have a family share (family copay), how much it is, and how to pay it.

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 718-935-2009.

New York Section 8 #

New York Section 8, also known as Housing Choice Voucher program, helps lower income families in NYC obtain a decent place to live in at a rent they can afford.

Eligible families are issued a housing voucher to search for a unit in neighborhoods of their choice.

The program works as a rent subsidy allowing families to pay a reasonable share of their income for rent with NYCHA making up the difference up to a specific limit.

Is Section 8 accepting applications in NYC?

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 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.

The application period normally begins in early to mid-November and continues into the winter, until funding for the program runs out.

Eligible households will receive between $21 to $976 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.

If you are facing an emergency situation outside the regular HEAP season, you may apply for Emergency HEAP in person at the HEAP Local District.

New York HEAP Cooling Assistance Program #

HEAP Cooling Assistance is also available to help New York’s most vulnerable – 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.

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 HRA. Applications run through July 14, or until funding runs out, whichever comes first.

For more information on how to apply for cooling assistance, please call HEAP Hotline, at (716) 858-7644.

New York Low Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP) #

New York LIHWAP provides emergency assistance to low-income households who are disconnected or are in imminent threat of disconnection. Priority is given to households with the elderly, disabled or a young child under age 6.

Households who are at or below 60% of New York's median income are eligible to receive a one-time credit of up to $2,500 within a 12-month period towards their water/wastewater bill.

How do I get help with my water bill in NY?

Applications are now being accepted. If you are struggling to pay your water or wastewater bills, you can submit your application online and include the required documentation along with your application.

For more information about LIHWAP, please call
NYS LIHWAP Call Center
1-833-690-0208

New York Unemployment Insurance #

New York Unemployment Insurance provides temporary financial assistance to workers who become unemployed through no fault of their own — for up to 26 extended weeks.

If you lost your job through no fault of your own in New York and meet other requirements, you could expect at most $504 in weekly jobless compensation.

As a condition of eligibility, you are required to actively seek suitable employment during each week in which you are claiming benefits.

How do I file for unemployment in NY online?

To file a claim, use your NY.gov ID to sign in to your online account with the Department of Labor or create a new account if you don’t already have one.

New York State Paid Family Leave #

Approved in 2016, the New York State Paid Family Leave goes into effect on January 1, 2018. Under FMLA, the New York Law guarantees paid time off — up to 12 weeks’ job-protected leave.

For the first year of the program, employees can take up to eight weeks of paid family leave, with a weekly benefit capped at 67% of the employee’s average weekly wage.

For example, an employee who makes $1,000 a week would receive a benefit of $670 a week, up to a maximum weekly benefit of $1,131.

For more information or assistance on Paid Family Leave, call
Paid Family Leave Helpline
(844) 337-6303

New York State Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) #

New York State's Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) is a need-based grant that helps eligible New York students pay tuition at an approved postsecondary institution in New York State (NYS).

And since TAP is a grant, it does not have to be repaid.

What is the maximum NYS TAP award?

Depending on the academic year in which you apply, an annual TAP award can be up to $5,665 a year. Use the TAP Award Estimator to estimate the amount you may receive from NYS TAP.

To be eligible for TAP, you must file a FAFSA and list a New York State school or college on the form. The TAP application deadline is June 30 of the academic year for which aid is sought.

New York Aid for Part-time Study (APTS) #

Aid for Part-time Study (APTS) program provides grant assistance for eligible part-time students enrolled in approved undergraduate studies in New York State. APTS is not the same as the Part-time TAP.

Awards provide up to $2,000 per year for eligible part-time undergraduate students to help pay tuition expenses but will not exceed tuition charges.

To qualify for APTS, you must meet all the TAP eligibility requirements as well as the APTS income limits. The APTS application, along with copies of the NYS Tax Returns, must be submitted.