You can get information about eligibility requirements online, by phone, or in person at a Job Center. (Job Centers used to be called Welfare Offices.) 

You can apply by mail or in person at a Job Center.

If you’re already receiving cash assistance, you can complete an online recertification application.

Online

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

Find out what documents you need to apply.

In Person

You can get the location of the nearest Job Center.

Find a Job Center.

By Phone

You must meet the Able-Bodied Adult Without Dependents (ABAWD) work requirements if you apply for or receive SNAP benefits and are an ABAWD, as defined by federal SNAP rules. 

ABAWDs are only eligible to get SNAP benefits for three months in a 3-year period unless they meet certain special work requirements or are excused. In New York State, this 3-year period began on January 1, 2019.

As of April 1, 2020, all ABAWDs who live in New York City will have to meet one of the activities listed below to fulfill their work requirement.  

If you are an ABAWD you must complete and give us proof of one of the following each month:

• Work, including "in-kind" and volunteer work, for at least 80 hours per month.
• Participation in an employment and training program for veterans operated by the Department of Labor or Department of Veterans Affairs for at least 80 hours per month.
• Participate in a Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) or TradeAct program, including job search, job readiness, occupational skills training, and education activities for at least 80 hours per month.
• Participate in a combination of work or qualifying work programs for at least 80 hours per month.

Proof is not required for the following work requirements because they are tracked by HRA:

• Participate in a work activity approved by HRA for no more than 12 hours per month.
• Participate in an HRA-approved work or training program for at least 80 hours per month.

The work requirements listed above apply to each ABAWD in the SNAP household.

If you are an applicant or recipient of cash assistance and you must move, you may be eligible for help with: 

• Moving expenses
• Security deposit voucher
• Broker’s fees
• Temporary storage for furniture and personal belongings

All requests for moving and storage expenses must be made at the Job Center. You can also learn about the request process by phone.

Find a Job Center.

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

If you owe HRA money on a closed public assistance case, you can set up a payment plan by phone.