Last updated: July 15, 2026
Bottom line
New York’s main TANF cash program is called Family Assistance. It is part of Temporary Assistance, also called Public Assistance. It may help eligible families with children pay for basic needs when income is low or work does not cover household costs.
Use the official Temporary Assistance page to review the program. Most residents outside New York City can apply through myBenefits. New York City residents can apply through ACCESS HRA.
Family Assistance is not guaranteed cash and is not a one-time grant. The office reviews your household, income, resources, housing costs, work status, child-support duties, and other facts. Benefits are limited and may not cover all bills. The ASMOM national TANF guide explains common cash-assistance rules before you apply.
If you need help today
Tell the office right away when you have an emergency. New York says a local social services office should interview you and give you a written decision about the emergency on the same day you apply.
- Outside New York City: Use the DSS office directory to contact your county and ask for an emergency interview.
- In New York City: Apply for Cash Assistance or emergency help through ACCESS HRA. Call 718-557-1399 if you need HRA information.
- No food, shelter, or heat: Call 211 New York for local food, shelter, rent, utility, and transportation referrals while your case is reviewed.
- Domestic violence: Call 800-942-6906 or text 844-997-2121 through the state violence hotline. Use a safer phone or device when possible.
- Immediate danger: Call 911 when you or a child may be harmed.
The ASMOM New York emergency guide lists more help for urgent food, housing, utilities, and safety needs.
Where to start
Start with the office that handles the address where you live. New York City uses the Human Resources Administration. Other counties use local departments of social services.
You live in NYC
Submit the online Cash Assistance application and upload proof. Then complete the required interview using the instructions on your confirmation page.
You live outside NYC
Apply online, visit your county office, or send a paper application. Contact the county directly when the online portal is not working.
You have an emergency
Say “I need Emergency Assistance today.” Explain whether the problem is eviction, homelessness, no food, a utility shutoff, no heating fuel, or family violence.
You need several programs
Apply for cash, food, health, child care, housing, and utility help at the same time when each program fits your needs.
The ASMOM New York help guide provides a wider benefits checklist for single-parent families.
Quick reference table
| Your need | Best first step | Reality check |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly cash for a family with children | Apply for Family Assistance | Adults have a lifetime limit, and the office must budget the case. |
| Cash help after Family Assistance ends | Ask about Safety Net Assistance | Later SNA may be paid directly to a landlord or utility instead of as cash. |
| Eviction, shutoff, or homelessness | Request Emergency Assistance | You must show the urgent need, and some help may require repayment. |
| Work or training assignment | Ask about support costs | Approved child care and transportation may be available. |
| Denial, sanction, or closure | Read the notice and appeal | Public Assistance hearings are generally requested within 60 days. |
Family Assistance, Safety Net Assistance, and emergency help
New York has two main ongoing Temporary Assistance programs. They provide the same basic level of help to a household but serve different groups and have different time-limit rules.
| Program | Who it may serve | Important rule |
|---|---|---|
| Family Assistance | Eligible families that include a minor child living with a parent or caretaker relative | It follows federal TANF rules and has a 60-month adult lifetime limit. |
| Safety Net Assistance | Eligible people and families who do not qualify for Family Assistance | Cash SNA is generally limited to two years, followed by non-cash help if still eligible. |
| Emergency Assistance | Eligible families, adults, or SSI-related households with an urgent need | You do not have to qualify for ongoing Temporary Assistance to receive emergency help. |
Family Assistance time limit
An eligible adult can generally receive Family Assistance for no more than 60 months during a lifetime. Months of TANF-funded cash help received in another state also count. The months do not need to be in a row.
New York also limits cash Temporary Assistance for an adult to a combined 60 months. Some Safety Net Assistance and Emergency Assistance to Families months may count. Ask your worker for the time-limit record if you believe the count is wrong.
Safety Net Assistance
Safety Net Assistance serves some households that do not qualify for Family Assistance. Cash SNA is generally available for no more than two years in a lifetime. After that, an eligible household may receive non-cash SNA through direct payments to a landlord, utility, or another vendor. Exceptions and special rules may apply.
Who may qualify and how amounts are set
There is no one simple statewide TANF income chart or payment amount for every family. New York considers household size, county, income, housing situation, resources, and other benefits. The benefit is built from allowances for basic needs, shelter, home energy, and certain other needs.
A household with earnings may still qualify. The office generally starts with gross income, then applies the program’s budgeting rules. Working does not always close a case right away.
Current resource limits
Current state policy generally allows an applicant household to have up to $2,500 in countable resources. The applicant limit is $3,750 when a household member is age 60 or older or has a disability. The recipient-household limit is $10,000. Some property, vehicles, and other resources may be excluded, so let the office review what you own.
Do not use another family’s payment
Two families with the same number of children may receive different amounts because their county, rent, earnings, resources, and household members are different. Ask for your written budget instead of relying on an online estimate.
How to apply
The state application page lists online, in-person, mail, and fax options. File as soon as possible, especially when the household has an urgent need.
Outside New York City
Use myBenefits or submit the state application to your county DSS. Ask the county how it handles interviews, document uploads, faxed proof, and emergency applications.
New York City
The NYC cash assistance page explains current HRA steps. After an online application or recertification, call 929-273-1872 between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, to complete the on-demand interview. Upload documents before the call when possible.
You also have the right to request help with an interview at a Benefits Access Center. Use the city’s interview instructions to check current options.
What happens next
- Submit the application and save the confirmation or a copy.
- Complete the interview and tell the worker about emergencies.
- Send all requested proof by the deadline.
- Attend work, medical, child-support, or other appointments when required.
- Read each approval, denial, sanction, or request notice.
Most decisions should come within 30 days, though some adult cases may take up to 45 days. Emergency requests have a same-day written-decision rule.
Work, child support, and safety rules
Work and training
Adults who are found able to work may be assigned to employment, job search, work experience, education, or training. Assignments can be up to 40 hours per week. The district must consider whether you need child care or transportation to take part.
Tell the office about pregnancy, physical or mental health limits, a disability, care for an incapacitated household member, or another reason you may need an exemption or a different assignment. Do not skip an appointment without contacting the office and explaining the reason.
In New York City, the current work notice says HRA may pay child care for an eligible parent with a child under 13, or under 19 with special needs, so the parent can meet an approved work requirement.
Child support cooperation
A parent or caretaker receiving Family Assistance is generally required to cooperate with efforts to locate an absent parent and obtain child support. Noncooperation without good cause can reduce benefits.
The state child support enrollment tool is available online, but Public Assistance cases can have extra steps. The ASMOM New York child-support guide explains support services and safety concerns.
Domestic violence waivers
If a work, child-support, substance-use, or other requirement could put you or your child at risk, ask to speak with a Domestic Violence Liaison. The official domestic violence waiver page says you can request a liaison at any time. You do not need an order of protection or other documents just to speak with the liaison.
A liaison may issue a temporary waiver for up to six months at a time and reassess it later. Information shared with the liaison is confidential, with limited safety exceptions. The ASMOM New York safety guide lists local survivor support.
Emergency Assistance and One Shot Deals
Emergency Assistance is for an urgent need, not regular monthly cash. It may help with homelessness, eviction, shelter arrears, utility arrears, heating fuel, temporary housing, domestic violence shelter costs, or another health and safety need.
Families with a child or a medically verified pregnancy may be screened for Emergency Assistance to Families. Single adults and childless couples may be screened for Emergency Safety Net Assistance. People receiving or eligible for SSI may have another emergency category.
In New York City, emergency cash help is often called a One Shot Deal. The One Shot Deal page explains how it works. An interview is required. HRA may ask for proof that you can pay the bill later or that another source will help in the future.
Some emergency help may need to be repaid. Ask whether the award is a vendor payment, recoupment, loan, or repayment agreement before signing.
If the emergency involves rent, also use the ASMOM New York housing guide. For a shutoff or heating problem, check the New York utility guide.
Protect your cash benefits on EBT
Temporary Assistance cash is usually issued through an EBT card. Freeze the card through ebtEDGE when it is not in use, then unfreeze it before a purchase or withdrawal. Do not share the PIN with anyone who calls, texts, or emails you.
The state EBT scam alert says certain electronically stolen TA cash benefits may be replaced. Call 888-328-6399 immediately to report the card, request a replacement, and review transactions.
A replacement request must generally be submitted within 30 days after you discover the theft. Replacement is limited to once per federal fiscal year.
Documents and information to gather
Start the application even if some papers are missing. Ask what other proof the office will accept. The ASMOM documents checklist can help you build one application folder.
| Information | Examples | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Identity and household | Photo ID, birth records, school records | Shows who is applying and who lives together. |
| Address and housing | Lease, shelter letter, rent receipt, utility bill | Shows residence and shelter costs. |
| Income | Pay stubs, employer letter, unemployment, support payments | Helps the office calculate countable income. |
| Resources | Bank statements, vehicle details, property records | Shows whether countable assets are within program rules. |
| Emergency need | Eviction papers, shutoff notice, arrears letter, fuel bill | Shows the type and urgency of the crisis. |
| Special situation | Pregnancy proof, medical statement, child-care costs | May affect budgeting, work rules, or support services. |
| Safe contact | Secure phone, email, or mailing address | Helps the office contact you without increasing risk. |
Common mistakes to avoid
- Not naming the emergency: Say clearly that you need an emergency interview.
- Missing the NYC interview: Submit the application, then call the on-demand interview number.
- Ignoring notices: A missing document or appointment can lead to denial or closure.
- Assuming a cash denial ends everything: SNAP or Medicaid may still be approved separately.
- Skipping work appointments: Contact the office and explain good cause or health limits.
- Sharing unsafe information: Ask for a Domestic Violence Liaison before completing a risky requirement.
- Leaving the EBT card active: Freeze it between uses and change the PIN often.
If your case is denied, delayed, reduced, or closed
Read the notice for the reason, effective date, and hearing deadline. Fix missing proof quickly, but do not let a document request cause you to miss an appeal deadline.
Public Assistance and service decisions can generally be appealed within 60 days of the notice. A work notice based on a disputed medical exemption can have a 10-day hearing deadline. The notice should tell you which deadline applies.
Ask for a Fair Hearing before the effective date when benefits will be reduced or stopped and you want to request aid continuing. If aid continues and you later lose, you may have to repay the extra benefits.
Use the official fair hearing page to review your rights, then submit the hearing request form. If the problem is homelessness, eviction, or a shutoff, state that it is an emergency when requesting the hearing.
The ASMOM benefits problem guide explains how to track notices, calls, appeals, and missing proof. For civil legal help, use the New York legal guide.
Other benefits to check
Apply for related programs while the cash case is pending.
| Program | What it may cover | Starting point |
|---|---|---|
| SNAP | Food benefits on an EBT card | Use the ASMOM New York SNAP guide. |
| WIC | Food and nutrition support during pregnancy and early childhood | Check the official New York WIC page. |
| Child Care Assistance | Help paying for approved child care | Use the CCAP page and the ASMOM New York child-care guide. |
| Medicaid | Health coverage for eligible adults and children | Review the official Medicaid application and the ASMOM New York health guide. |
| HEAP | Heating, utility, and cooling assistance when open | Check the current HEAP page before applying. |
A local Community Action agency may also know about food, utility, transportation, clothing, or family-support programs in your county.
Phone scripts you can use
Ask for emergency help
“Hi, I need to apply for Temporary Assistance, and I have an emergency because of [eviction, shutoff, homelessness, no food, or a safety problem]. Please screen me for Emergency Assistance today. What proof should I send?”
Check an application
“I applied on [date]. My confirmation or case number is [number]. Please tell me whether my interview is complete, what documents are missing, and the deadline to send them.”
Ask about work limits
“I received a work appointment, but I have [a health limit, pregnancy, child-care problem, or another barrier]. What proof is needed, and can my assignment be reviewed before a sanction is imposed?”
Ask for a safety waiver
“A Public Assistance requirement may put me or my child at risk because of domestic violence. I want to speak privately with a Domestic Violence Liaison before I share more information.”
Resumen en español
En Nueva York, TANF normalmente se llama Family Assistance y forma parte de Temporary Assistance. Si vive fuera de la Ciudad de Nueva York, puede solicitar por myBenefits o en la oficina de servicios sociales de su condado. Si vive en NYC, use ACCESS HRA y complete la entrevista requerida.
Si tiene una emergencia, como desalojo, falta de vivienda, corte de servicios, falta de comida o violencia doméstica, diga claramente que necesita una entrevista de emergencia hoy. La oficina debe darle una decisión escrita sobre la emergencia el mismo día que solicita.
Guarde copias de avisos y documentos. Si le niegan, reducen o cierran la ayuda, revise la fecha límite para una audiencia imparcial. Si una regla de trabajo o manutención infantil puede ponerle en peligro, pida hablar con un Domestic Violence Liaison.
FAQs
What is TANF called in New York?
New York’s TANF-funded program is called Family Assistance. It is one part of Temporary Assistance, which is also called Public Assistance.
Can I apply for New York cash assistance online?
Yes. Residents outside New York City can generally use myBenefits. New York City residents can use ACCESS HRA and must complete the required interview.
How much cash assistance will I receive?
There is no one statewide amount. The office calculates the benefit using household size, county, income, shelter costs, resources, and other case facts.
Can emergency help be approved without ongoing TANF?
Yes. You do not have to qualify for ongoing Temporary Assistance to receive Emergency Assistance, but you must apply and meet the emergency program’s rules.
What if child-support cooperation is unsafe?
Ask to speak with a Domestic Violence Liaison or ask about good cause. A temporary waiver may be available when a requirement puts you or your child at risk.
How long do I have to appeal?
Public Assistance decisions are generally appealed within 60 days. Some medical work-exemption notices have a 10-day deadline. Always follow the deadline on your notice.
Last updated: July 15, 2026 | Next review: October 15, 2026
About this guide
This guide uses official federal, state, local, and other high-trust nonprofit and community sources mentioned in the article.
A Single Mother is independent and is not a government agency, benefits office, lender, law firm, medical provider, or tax advisor.
Program rules, funding, local availability, and eligibility can change. Always confirm details with the official program before you apply or make decisions.
Verification: Last verified July 15, 2026, next review October 15, 2026.
Corrections: If you see something wrong or outdated, email suggestions@asinglemother.org.
Disclaimer: This article is for general information only. It is not legal, financial, medical, tax, immigration, disability, safety, or government-agency advice.