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Temporary Assistance
Cash benefits, Medical Assistance and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits are available to applicants whose income is insufficient to meet their needs. To make an appointment to apply call 518-266-7800. Applications can also be submitted online through the myBenefits portal.
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.
Temporary assistance is temporary help for needy men, women and children, and 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.
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 2 years in a lifetime. After that, if you are eligible for SNA, it is provided in non-cash form, such as a 2-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
myBenefits
Beginning May 30, 2008 anyone in New York State will be able to visit the myBenefits Portal to:
- Find out if they might qualify for SNAP
- Get an estimate of their Earned Income Tax Credits, Child and Dependent Care Credits
- Find out about other programs designed to help low-income working households help make ends meet
It will also tell clients where and how to apply for these programs.
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Temporary Assistance
Physical Address
547 River Street
Troy, NY 12180
Phone: 518-266-7800
Hours
Monday through Friday
9 am to 4:30 pm