Public Assistance or Welfare

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Public Assistance Work Requirement to learn about required employment activities for Cash Assistance clients

You can find out if you are eligible for public assistance. You can apply for cash benefits and participate in programs that prepare you for self-sufficiency.

Eligible families may receive up to 60 months of federally funded cash assistance under the Temporary Aid to Needy Families Program (TANF). Temporary benefits include:

A cash grant that includes a shelter portion
Energy assistance grants
Additional money to assist with other expenses

Families who have already received cash assistance for 60 months may continue to receive benefits under the New York State Safety Net Program.

Single individuals without children may receive benefits under the New York State Safety Net Program.

Applicants and participants can find out their case status. You can also get the location of the nearest Job Center. (Job Centers used to be called Welfare Offices.)

Financial Assistance for Caregivers

Caregivers who are not foster parents but are financially responsible for children in their care may be eligible for Cash Assistance.

Storage and Moving Assistance

HRA provides assistance to applicants and recipients of cash assistance for moving expenses such as rent in advance, security vouchers and broker’s fees.

All requests for moving (rent in advance, security deposit and broker’s fees) and storage expenses must be made at the job center.

Online

Learn more about public assistance.

Find a Job Center.

Use ACCESS NYC to pre-screen for Cash Assistance and other programs and learn how to apply.

By Phone

Agency: Human Resources Administration
Phone Number: (718) 557-1399
Business Hours: Mon - Fri: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Staff is available through the automated phone system during business hours. Automated assistance is also available in Cantonese, Mandarin, Russian, and Spanish. Most languages are available through a staff person.

The Family Homelessness and Eviction Prevention Supplement, or FHEPS, is a rent supplement for families with children who have:

an active, non-sanctioned cash assistance case AND
a court case relating to the non-payment of rent

The amount of the FHEPS rent supplement and the maximum allowable rent for the program depend on the number of individuals on the cash assistance case. If you have an active cash assistance case and face eviction, you should go to your HRA Job Center and see the Homelessness Diversion Unit.

Public assistance clients can get case status information, can request a budget letter, and can requests to have their budget information changed.

Examples of changes include:

Adding family members
Removing family members
Changing the amount of household income
Changing address

Agency: Human Resources Administration
Phone Number: (718) 557-1399
Business Hours: Mon - Fri: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Staff is available through the automated phone system during business hours. Automated assistance is also available in Cantonese, Mandarin, Russian, and Spanish. Most languages are available through a staff person.

If you owe the New York City Human Resources Administration (HRA) money on a closed public assistance case, you can contact the City, by phone, to set up a payment plan.

Call 311 for assistance.

Public Assistance or Welfare

Family Homelessness and Eviction Prevention Supplement (FHEPS)

Budget Status or Change Request

Claims and Collections