Temporary Assistance

Temporary Assistance is temporary help for needy men, women and children. Temporary Assistance encompasses both Family Assistance and the Safety Net Program.

Family Assistance (FA)
Family Assistance (FA) provides cash assistance to needy families that include a minor child living with a parent (including families where both parents are in the household) or a caretaker relative. FA operates under federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) guidelines.

Under FA, eligible adults are limited to receiving benefits for a total of 60 months in their lifetime, including months of TANF-funded assistance granted in other states. Once this limit is reached, that adult and all members of his or her FA household are ineligible to receive any more FA benefits. The months need not be consecutive, but rather each individual month in which TANF-funded benefits are received is included in the lifetime count. The counting of this 60-month limit began in December 1996 in accordance with the Welfare Reform Act of 1996.

Parents and other adult relatives who can work must be working or involved in work-like activities. Parents are also responsible for cooperating with the local department of social services in locating any absent parent. Non-cooperation without good cause could result in lower benefits.

In addition, all applicants for assistance are screened for substance abuse to determine the necessity of rehabilitation and treatment.

Emergency Assistance is designed to provide low-income households with assistance in meeting needs such as evictions, utility disconnections, emergency fuel needs and homelessness, without receiving public assistance on a full time basis.

Safety Net Assistance (SNA)
If you are not eligible for other assistance programs, you may be eligible for SNA. SNA is for:

• Single adults
• Childless couples
• Children living apart from any adult relative
• Families of persons abusing drugs or alcohol
• Families of persons refusing drug/alcohol screening, assessment or treatment
• Persons who have exceeded the 60-month limit on assistance
• Aliens who are eligible for temporary assistance, but are not eligible for federal reimbursement

Generally, you can receive cash SNA for a maximum of two years in a lifetime. After that, if you are eligible for SNA, it is provided in non-cash form, such as a two party check or a voucher. In addition, non-cash SNA is provided for:

• Families of persons abusing drugs or alcohol
• Families of persons refusing drug/alcohol screening, assessment or treatment

Transitional Opportunities Program (TOP)
In Rensselaer County, the Transitional Opportunities Program is designed to assist those households that have earned income to become self-sufficient through the provision of a variety of supportive services. This program supports households that need continued support even after their family assistance has ended. This is accomplished through a case management approach.

Low-Income Day Care, Transitional Medical Assistance, Child Health Plus, Home Energy Assistance, Federal and State Earned Income Tax Credit and Child Support Services are some of the vital components used by the TOP program to keep the household off of ongoing public assistance.

TOP staff is specially trained in case management activities that help support the working household. They also assist in job search activities, career counseling and parenting skills as well as being knowledgeable about other community services, which may assist families in remaining independent.

The Special Investigations Unit investigates all manner of welfare fraud. Investigators look into allegations of fraud in Public Assistance, Medicaid, Home Energy Assistance as well as other programs administered by the Department of Social Services.

Investigators work closely with local police agencies as well as state authorities and the Rensselaer County District Attorney's Office.

In addition, when staff detects irregularities in the application process, the Special Investigations Unit will conduct a Front End Detection investigation. This process is designed to prevent an applicant from committing fraud before it can occur.

Anyone with information regarding welfare fraud should call the Welfare Fraud Hotline at 518-270-8640.