New York assistance programs

New York splits the programs on this site between state agencies, which write the rules, and local social services districts, which take the applications: the county departments of social services and, in New York City, the Human Resources Administration (HRA) and the Administration for Children's Services (ACS). Cash assistance and heating help (HEAP) follow rules from the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA), child care subsidies follow rules from the Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS), and what you actually receive can depend on your county.

The county matters more in New York than in most states. The maximum Family Assistance grant for a parent with two children runs from $648 in Franklin County to $836 in Suffolk County, because each district has its own shelter cap (New York cash assistance guide). Child care is the same: every family up to 85% of state median income qualifies on paper, but New York City, Chemung County and Cattaraugus County keep waitlists for new families who are not guaranteed care (New York child care guide).

Much of the money is a loan, not a grant. SONYMA's down payment help is a 0% second mortgage that you can only get with a SONYMA first mortgage from a participating lender, and New York City's HomeFirst adds up to $100,000 in the five boroughs (New York homebuyer guide). Empire State Development delivers its more than $500 million in SSBCI money as loans, guarantees and equity, and New York has no open state grant for starting a business (New York small business guide).

Outside New York City, one online application at myBenefits.ny.gov covers Temporary Assistance, SNAP and HEAP; city residents use ACCESS HRA. Students apply for TAP through the state link at the end of the FAFSA, and adults 25 to 55 can study a high-demand associate degree free at SUNY or CUNY (New York student grants guide).