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Governor's Resources Page for Working Families
Dear New Yorker,
New York State agencies and departments have many resources available to help working families make ends meet. This page is a one stop shop for finding those services, with links to information about nutrition programs, tax filing assistance, job placement services, and more. I encourage all New Yorkers to review these pages and learn about the programs that New York State has to offer. Follow the links below to see program descriptions, eligibility requirements, benefits, and how to apply.
Governor David A. Paterson
- myBenefits - Find out about a number of work support programs that you may be eligible for by quickly entering some basic information about you and your family.
- Food Stamps - The Food Stamp Program issues monthly benefits redeemable at authorized retail food stores.
- Nutrition Programs - Information on how to participate in the School Breakfast and Lunch Programs, Women, Infants and Child program, Food Banks in New York State, and New York States Hunger Prevention and Nutrition Assistance Program.
- Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) - HEAP is a federally funded program that assists eligible households in meeting their home energy needs.
- Weatherization Assistance Program - The Weatherization Assistance Program assists income-eligible families and individuals by reducing their heating/cooling costs and improving the safety of their homes through energy-efficiency measures.
- Child Support Program - The Child Support program helps strengthen families by placing the responsibility for supporting children on those parents with the financial resources to provide such support. The program assists custodial parents in establishing paternity, and obtaining, modifying and enforcing financial and medical support obligations.
- Child Care Subsidies - New York State offers many resources including subsidies to low-income families to make safe, quality child care accessible and affordable.
- Tax Credits - Information on the following tax credit programs: Earned Income Tax Credits, Earned Income Credits Advance Payment, New York State Noncustodial Parent Earned Income Tax Credit, Child Tax Credits and Child and Dependent Care Tax Credits.
- Free Tax Preparation and Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Sites - VITA is a free, IRS-sponsored program to help low- and middle-income workers have their taxes prepared and filed electronically at no cost. VITA also ensures that workers receive all the tax credits to which they are entitled.
- Health Programs - New York State Health insurance programs: Medicaid, Child Health Plus, Family Health Plus and Healthy NY.
- NYC Residents - Find out if you are eligible for benefits? - ACCESS NYC, a free service that identifies and screens for over 30 New York City, State, and Federal human service benefit programs. You may use this service anonymously or you have the option to create an account.
- Job Placement Services - In New York State, the Food Stamp Employment and Training Program provides employment and training services for recipients of Food Stamp Benefits to help them toward self-sufficiency.
- Social Security Disability Insurance and Supplemental Security Income Programs - The Social Security Disability Insurance and Supplemental Security Income programs provide assistance to people with disabilities. While these two programs are different in many ways, only individuals who have a disability and meet medical criteria may qualify for benefits under either program.
- Unemployment Benefits - Unemployment insurance is temporary income for eligible workers who become unemployed through no fault of their own and who are ready, willing, able to work and have sufficient work and wages in covered employment.
- Housing - Find affordable housing; avoid foreclosure, and more helpful tips.
- Banking Resources - New York State’s Banking Department provides information for those in danger of losing their homes, assists consumers in settling claims and filing complaints against entities regulated by the department, and has a wealth of general consumer information for those in economic distress.
- Federal Student Loans - New York State’s Higher Education Services has options available should you face problems in paying back your federal student loans.
- Head Start and Early Head Start – Head Start and Early Head Start are comprehensive child development programs. Head Start serves children ages 3 to 5 and their families. Early Head Start serves pregnant women and their families and children birth to age 3 and their families.
- Veteran’s Benefits - If you ever served in the United States Armed Forces you are a veteran and you may be eligible for benefits.
- Refugee and Immigrant Assistance - Services and assistance to certain immigrant populations, including refugees, asylees, victims of human trafficking and other immigrants.
- Temporary Assistance - Temporary help for needy men, women and children. If you are unable to work, can't find a job, or your job does not pay enough, temporary assistance may be able to help you pay for your expenses.
- Financial Education – Information to assist you with credit usage and counseling, debt collection and mediation and how to open a bank account.
- Consumer Protection Information – New York State’s Consumer Protection Board (CPB) offers consumer protection information on, filing a consumer complaint, energy service companies, home heating, prevention and assistance with identity theft and much more.
- Affordable Wireless Services – Lifeline Assistance is a program created by the federal government to help provide discounted or free telephone service to income-eligible consumers.
- Local Departments of Social Services - A listing of Local Departments of Social Services by County