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Governor’s Resources Page for Working Families
- myBenefits - An online tool for New York State residents where they can check eligibility for multiple human services benefit programs and apply online for food stamps.
- Food Stamps - The Food Stamp Program issues monthly benefits redeemable at authorized retail food stores.
- Nutrition Programs - Information on how to participate in the School Breakfast and Lunch Programs, Women, Infants and Child program, Food Banks in New York State, and New York States Hunger Prevention and Nutrition Assistance Program.
- Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) - HEAP is a federally funded program that assists eligible households in meeting their home energy needs.
- Weatherization Assistance Program - The Weatherization Assistance Program assists income-eligible families and individuals by reducing their heating/cooling costs and improving the safety of their homes through energy-efficiency measures.
- Child Support Program - The Child Support program helps strengthen families by placing the responsibility for supporting children on those parents with the financial resources to provide such support. The program assists custodial parents in establishing paternity, and obtaining, modifying and enforcing financial and medical support obligations.
- Child Care Subsidies - New York State offers many resources including subsidies to low-income families to make safe, quality child care accessible and affordable.
- Tax Credits - Information on the following tax credit programs: Earned Income Tax Credits, New York State Noncustodial Parent Earned Income Tax Credit, Child Tax Credits and Child and Dependent Care Tax Credits.
- Free Tax Preparation and Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Sites - VITA is a free, IRS-sponsored program to help low- and middle-income workers have their taxes prepared and filed electronically at no cost. VITA also ensures that workers receive all the tax credits to which they are entitled.
- Health Programs - New York State Health insurance programs: Medicaid, Child Health Plus, Family Health Plus and Healthy NY.
- NYC Residents - Find out if you are eligible for benefits? - ACCESS NYC, a free service that identifies and screens for over 30 New York City, State, and Federal human service benefit programs. You may use this service anonymously or you have the option to create an account.
- Social Security Disability Insurance and Supplemental Security Income Programs - The Social Security Disability Insurance and Supplemental Security Income programs provide assistance to people with disabilities. While these two programs are different in many ways, only individuals who have a disability and meet medical criteria may qualify for benefits under either program.
- Unemployment Benefits - Unemployment insurance is temporary income for eligible workers who become unemployed through no fault of their own and who are ready, willing, able to work and have sufficient work and wages in covered employment.
- Job Search Assistance - Tools to assist you in training for a new job, writing a resume and finding a job.
- Housing - Find affordable housing; avoid foreclosure, and more helpful tips.
- Paying for College - Learn about the financial aid that can help you finance your education.
- Head Start and Early Head Start — Head Start and Early Head Start are comprehensive child development programs. Head Start serves children ages 3 to 5 and their families. Early Head Start serves pregnant women and their families and children birth to age 3 and their families.
- Veteran’s Benefits - If you ever served in the United States Armed Forces you are a veteran and you may be eligible for benefits.
- Refugee and Immigrant Assistance - Services and assistance to certain immigrant populations, including refugees, asylees, victims of human trafficking and other immigrants.
- Temporary Assistance - Temporary help for needy men, women and children. If you are unable to work, can’t find a job, or your job does not pay enough, temporary assistance may be able to help you pay for your expenses.
- Financial Education — Information to assist you with credit usage and counseling, debt collection and mediation and how to open a bank account.
- Consumer Protection Information — New York State Department of State’s, Division of Consumer Protection offers consumer protection information on, filing a consumer complaint, energy service companies, home heating, prevention and assistance with identity theft and much more.
- NYS Kinship Navigator - A statewide program specifically designed to provide information and resources to kinship caregivers across all of New York State.
- Autism Spectrum Disorder — Information on New York State services and supports for individuals with autism.
- Affordable Wireless Services — Lifeline Assistance is a program created by the federal government to help provide discounted or free telephone service to income-eligible consumers.
- Local Departments of Social Services - A listing of Local Departments of Social Services by County