How Old Do You Have to Be to Receive Welfare in New York?
The state of New York offers welfare assistance in the form of cash assistance, food assistance and health care coverage for eligible residents. Although a minor can participate in all the welfare programs, an adult caregiver or guardian must make application for the assistance in most cases.
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Age
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In order to apply for welfare assistance in New York, you must be considered an adult. Generally, this means you must be 18 or older; however, if you are an emancipated minor, meaning a court has legally declared you to be capable of supporting yourself, then you are considered an adult regardless of your age. You may receive benefits, as part of an adult family member's application, regardless of your age. In addition, you may be entitled to benefits if you are living away from an adult relative, such as in a foster care setting, but your guardian must apply.
Cash Assistance Programs
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New York offers two cash assistance programs -- the Family Assistance, or FA, program and the Safety Net Assistance, or SNA, program. The FA program requires a child under 18 to be living in the home, while the SNA does not. The FA program provides cash assistance to eligible families for up to a 60-month lifetime maximum. The SNA program helps applicants who do not fit into the requirements of the FA program. Benefits in the SNA program are usually only available for up to two years. The monthly benefit amount will depend on household income and size.
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Food Assistance
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Food assistance is available to New York residents whose household income falls below the income threshold for the household size. The food stamp program provides a monthly benefit amount by transferring the benefits onto a debit card each month. Food stamp benefits can be used to purchase healthy and nutritious food at local groceries and markets. Non-food items, such as toiletries, alcohol and diapers cannot be purchased with food stamp benefits.
Medical Assistance
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New York offers a number of Medicaid programs to help cover the cost of health care for various eligibility groups. Recipients of Supplemental Security Income, or SSI, are automatically eligible. You may also qualify if your household income is low or you have exceptionally high medical bills. Medicaid coverage is often available for pregnant women, even if your income would otherwise disqualify you for coverage.
How to Apply
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If you are under the age of 18, and not legally emancipated, an adult family member or guardian will need to fill out the application for assistance. You can apply for all three welfare programs on one application (see Resources). The completed form must be turned in to your local local Department of Social Services office (see Resources).
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