How to Apply for Public Assistance in NYC

If you are a New York City resident, and currently experiencing financial difficulties that make it difficult for you to put food on the table for your family, meet your monthly expenses or could be putting your housing situation in jeopardy, you may be eligible to apply for public assistance. The city of New York offers various public assistance programs, such as food stamps, cash and medical assistance. As of December 2009, Access New York is no longer accepting new applications for Section 8 Housing.

Things You'll Need

• Valid identification
• Proof of income
• Household information
• Utility bills

Instructions

1. Visit the Access NYC website and browse through the Human Service Benefit Information page to find the service you need more information for. Each benefit is broken into sections such as Food and Nutrition, Health Care, Financial Assistance and Housing.

2. Apply for food stamps by picking up an application at the NYC Job Center or Food Stamps office nearest to your zip code. Return the application to the center and set up an appointment. Attend a face-to-face interview and evaluation.

3. Apply for cash assistance at the Job Center. Obtain a cash assistance application from the Job Center. Fill out the application and return it to the Job Center. Schedule and appointment and attend a face-to-face interview. Bring a valid form of identification, utility bills, proof of income, household location and composition and available assets and resources.

4. Apply for medical assistance by printing an application for public health insurance or Medicaid from the Access New York website, or by visiting a Medical Assistance Program (MAP) in your region. Fill out the application and return it the MAP office to schedule a face-to-face interview.

References

• Access NY: How to Apply for Food Stamps
• Access NY: How to Apply for Cash Assistance
• Access NY: How to Apply for Public Health Insurance/Medicaid