New York Family Assistance
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.
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.
Under FA, eligible parents and other adult relatives are limited to receiving benefits for a total of 60 months in their lifetime.
Family Assistance is one of the two programs providing temporary cash assistance in the state of New York. The other is Safety Net Assistance aimed directly at those who are not eligible for FA or have exceeded the 60-month time limit on FA.
FAQ
What is the income limit for cash assistance in NY?
Based on the current Standard of Need (SON), a family in New York is considered “needy” when their countable income is less than $789 for a family of three.
The limit for countable resources is $3,000 or $4,500 for households with at least one elderly or disabled member.
How much cash assistance will I get in NY?
How much cash assistance you’ll get in NY largely depends upon the family’s income and size. For a family of three with no other income, New York pays a maximum of $789 a month — one of the most generous among the 48 states and the District of Columbia.
How can I get cash assistance in NYC?
To find out if you are eligible to receive Temporary Assistance, you may file an application with your county Department of Social Services or, if you live in one of the five boroughs of New York City, with your local Job Center.
You can find the location of your local Department of Social Services online, or by calling the OTDA Hotline at (800) 342-3009.
For your convenience, you may now apply for Temporary Assistance online at myBenefits.ny.gov. If you are a first time user and want to apply for benefits, you must first create a myBenefits account.
How long does it take to get cash assistance in NYC?
Once your application is received, an interview will be scheduled to determine your eligibility, usually within 7 days. An eligibility determination will then be made no later than 30 days after completing the application process.
If you or your family are experiencing an emergency situation, you will be interviewed and told in writing about the decision on your emergency the same day you apply.
Some examples of emergency assistance programs include, but are not limited to:
- Payment of shelter arrears
- Payment of utility arrears
- Payment of fuel and/or cost of fuel delivery
- Payment of Domestic Violence Shelter costs
- Payment of Temporary Housing (Hotel/Motel) costs