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Temporary Assistance Programs

Temporary Financial Assistance

If you are unable to work, can't find a job or your job does not pay enough to make ends meet, Temporary Assistance (TA), also known as Public Assistance (PA), may be able to help you pay your expenses for a period of time.

The two primary Temporary Assistance programs are Family Assistance and Safety Net Assistance. These programs provide the same level of assistance but serve different populations and have some different rules.

Am I Eligible?

If you have any questions, please call our Case Management Information Center (CMIC) at (914) 995-3333

How Do I Apply?

If you have any questions, please call our Case Management Information Center (CMIC) at (914) 995-3333

What Information Will I Need to Provide?

When applying for Temporary Assistance you will be asked to provide proof of

  • Age and Identity
  • Social Security Number
  • Citizenship/Immigration Status
  • Income
  • Medical Documentation
  • Residence/Home Address
  • Proof of Who Lives with You
  • Financial Resources
  • Housing/Utility Expenses
  • and more.

For a list of the sorts of documents you will be asked to provide to prove this things, see this list from the New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance 

NYDocSubmit Mobile App
NYDocSubmit is a mobile application that allows certain applicants and recipients in Westchester to take pictures of their documents and submit them to their local district office using their Apple iOS or Android device. There is no need for the individual to take time off from work, stand in line or travel to the district office to drop off documents.

If you have any questions, please call our Case Management Information Center (CMIC) at (914) 995-3333

What Happens During the Application Process?
  • The applicant is given an appointment date for an interview and is asked to provide documentation to verify the information contained in the Temporary Assistance application.
  • A decision on the application must be made within 30 days unless the applicant presents an emergency need such as no place to live or no food. When an emergency is declared, the applicant is interviewed in the office that day and the emergency is evaluated and addressed.
  • The applicant receives a letter advising him/her whether or not his/her application has been accepted or denied and is advised of his/her benefits entitlements.
  • The applicant, if eligible, must report any changes in his situation to the department in a timely manner, must participate in any mandated programs and must have his/her eligibility recertified periodically.

If you have any questions, please call our Case Management Information Center (CMIC) at (914) 995-3333

Are There Work Requirements?

Yes. Adults who are determined able to work must comply with federal work, education or training requirements to receive Temporary Assistance.

Our goal is to empower customers to achieve lasting self-sufficiency through employment.

Our Office of Work Activities engages with Temporary Assistance recipients to help with:

  • job search and readiness
  • job placement
  • job retention
  • skills enhancement

If you have any questions, please call our Case Management Information Center (CMIC) at (914) 995-3333

Emergency Assistance

Emergency Assistance is a category of Temporary Assistance that helps resolve an urgent need or situation. You DO NOT have to be eligible for ongoing Temporary Assistance to receive Emergency Assistance, but other financial eligibility guidelines may apply.

What Situations May Qualify for Emergency Assistance?

Some examples include:

  • You are homeless
  • You have little or no food
  • Your landlord has told you that you must move or has given you eviction papers
  • You do not have fuel for heating in the cold weather period
  • Your utilities are shut-off or are about to be shut-off, or you have a 72-hour disconnect notice
  • You or someone in your family has been physically harmed, or threatened with violence by a partner, ex-partner or other household member
What Kinds of Help Are Available?

If you and/or your family are experiencing an emergency situation, you may be eligible for emergency assistance. Some examples of emergency assistance programs include, but are not limited to:

  • Payment of shelter arrears
  • Payment of utility arrears
  • Payment of fuel and/or cost of fuel delivery
  • Payment of Domestic Violence Shelter costs
  • Payment of Temporary Housing (Hotel/Motel) costs
Whom Do I Contact for Emergency Assistance?

During Business Hours:  Please call (914) 995-3333 or visit your local District Office. Please check for the District Office that services your location.

After Business Hours:  Call the Emergency Hotline at (914) 995-2099

Other Resources

Program Details

Click below for details about temporary assistance program guidelines and eligibility.

Family Assistance

  • Cash assistance to eligible families with a minor child living with a parent/parents or caretaker relative.
  • Operates under federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) guidelines
  • Eligible adults limited to a total of 60 months of benefits in their lifetime, including TANF-funded assistance in other states.  
  • Parents and other adult relatives who are able to work must comply with federal work requirements.
  • Families must cooperate in efforts to locate any absent parent and obtain support payments and other payments or property.

Safety Net Assistance

  • Cash assistance to eligible individuals and families not eligible for FA, such as:
    • Single adults
    • Childless couples
    • Children living apart from any adult relative
    • Families of persons found to be abusing drugs or alcohol
    • Families of persons refusing drug/alcohol screening, assessment or treatment
    • Non-citizens who are eligible for TA, but who are not eligible for federal reimbursement
  • Recipients able to work must comply with work requirements.
  • Generally, you can receive cash SNA for a maximum of two years in a lifetime. After that, if you are eligible, SNA is provided in non-cash form, such as payments made directly to your landlord or vouchers sent directly to your utility company.
  • Non-cash SNA may also be provided for:
    • Families of persons found to be abusing drugs or alcohol
    • Families of persons refusing drug/alcohol screening, assessment or treatment
    • Families with an adult who has exceeded the 60-month FA lifetime time limit

Emergency Assistance

Emergency Assistance to Adults (EAA) — provides assistance for individuals and couples who have been determined eligible or are receiving SSI (Supplemental Security Income) or SSI State Supplementation Program (SSP) payments.

Emergency Assistance to Families (EAF) — provides assistance to meet the emergency needs of pregnant persons and families with at least one child under age 18, or under age 19 and regularly attending full time secondary school.

Emergency Safety Net Assistance (ESNA) — provides emergency assistance to single adults and childless couples.

Call (914) 995-3333

For Temporary Assistance inquiries call our Case Management Information Center (CMIC)

Click to Dial

By contacting our Case Management Information Center you can do the following without having to come to your local District Office:

  • Get general information
  • Have an Application mailed to you
  • Have a Recertification mailed to you
  • Check if documents were received
  • Check the status of your case
  • Notify the Agency that you have moved or update your contact information
  • Report any changes to your case
  • Get a copy of your budget
  • Have a copy of a notice or decision on your case mailed to you
  • Request a benefit card