Temporary Assistance

The Temporary Assistance Unit works to provide benefits and services to eligible individuals and families according to federal and state laws and regulations while striving to assist each recipient to become self-sufficient.

The Temporary Assistance Unit provides the following areas of services:

Family Assistance

Safety Net Assistance

HEAP

Child Care Subsidy

Employment

Electronic Benefits Transfer

Food Stamps

Temporary Assistance provides short term help to families and individuals as they work toward self-sufficiency. If you are unable to work, can’t find a job, or your job does not pay enough to meet your basic needs, Temporary Assistance may be able to help you pay expenses. Eligibility for Family Assistance and Safety Net Assistance is determined based on income, resources, and cooperation with all required actions.

Family Assistance is a cash benefit program providing payments to eligible households with children. Benefits are based on the household size, income, and resources available, and upon the needs and expenses of the household as defined by state and federal regulations. Under welfare reform an adult is eligible for a lifetime limit of 60 total months.

Safety Net Assistance is a program of financial assistance to needy individuals and childless couples that do not meet the requirements for Family Assistance or SSI. Generally, cash Safety Net Assistance is received for a 24 month lifetime total. After reaching the lifetime limit, benefits are received as non-cash vouchers or direct payments to vendors like landlords or utilities.

Eligibility

Family Assistance

Gross Income Limit – no household shall be eligible for a grant in any month in which the household’s total income, before application of disregards or exclusions, exceeds 185% of the household’s standard of need. Total income includes all income of all persons in the household applying for or in receipt of public assistance and their legally responsible relatives.

Resource Limit – there is a resource limit of $2000 and the value of any cars may be counted toward the limit.

Safety Net Assistance

If you are eligible for other assistance programs, you may be eligible for Safety Net Assistance. It is a state and locally funded program for: single adults; childless couples; children over 18 living apart from adult relatives; families of persons abusing drugs or alcohol; families of persons refusing drug/alcohol screening, assessment, or treatment; persons who have exceeded the 60 month time limit; and some aliens.

For information on application procedures click here.

You will be asked to complete the pre-screen form to help us prepare to help you. You will also be given an application. You can turn the application in the same day and receive an eligibility interview within in 7 working days.

When you turn in the pre-screen form, you will have a short interview to determine if you have an emergency like:

Homelessness

Little or no food

Eviction notice

Out of fuel during the heating season

Utility shut off

Domestic violence

The worker will help you with your emergency and/or make referrals to other programs.

Eligibility Interview

During the eligibility interview, the worker will go over your application with you to make sure it is complete and that you understand each question. You will be asked for documents to verify your answers on the application. If you bring them to the interview, the process is much quicker.

You will be asked for:

Birth certificates for everyone in the household

Social security cards for everyone

Proof of residence and shelter expense like a landlord statement, rent receipt, or mortgage payment

Fuel and utility receipts

Current pay stubs

Proof of all other income like VA benefits, unemployment, support, SSI, pensions, etc.

Proof of resources like bank statements, insurance policies, titles to real property, and/or vehicles

Proof of any disability or signed consent for your doctor to complete a medical statement

Child Support Enforcement

If you have a child whose other parent is absent, you will be required to have an interview with the Child Support enforcement Unit to seek support and/or establish paternity. You do have the right to claim good cause for not cooperating, if you have physically or mentally threatened, abused, or fear for the life of yourself or your child. You will be asked to substantiate your claim.

Screening

You will be asked to complete a Substance Abuse Screening and you may be required to go for a Substance Abuse Assessment with a professional who can assess your treatment needs and help you get care needed to become self-sufficient.

You will be given the chance to complete a voluntary Domestic Violence Screening form and receive important information on DV services. Anyone who self-discloses domestic violence will be referred immediately to a DV Liaison for assistance.

Finger Imaging

You will be asked to have your picture taken and an image made of your index fingers. New York State law requires everyone eligible for Temporary Assistance to be identified so duplicate benefits payments are avoided.

At a later date you will receive an Electronic Benefits Card with your picture on it and be given instructions for creating your personal PIN number. This card should be retained even when your case closes.

An application for Temporary Assistance is also an automatic application for Medicaid and Food Stamps. Your eligibility determination will also inform you of your eligibility for these other programs.