Temporary Assistance (TA)

Generated from the gc-benefits catalog. It lists what the owner record states. It is not an eligibility decision; confirm current rules with the program.

Temporary Assistance (TA), also known as Public Assistance (PA), is temporary help for needy adults, and children. If you are unable to work, can't find a job, or your job does not pay enough, TA may be able to help you pay for your expenses.

• Owner record: ny/temporary-assistance
• Jurisdiction code: NY
• Frame: household
• Review by: 2026-11-13
• Authority: New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance
• Also called: Public Assistance (PA); Temporary Assistance

Offering 1: Family Assistance (FA)

Family Assistance (FA) provides cash assistance to eligible needy families that include a minor child living with a parent/parents or a caretaker relative. FA operates under federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) guidelines.

• Availability (owner codes): {"intake": "unknown", "type": "unknown"}

Conditions:

• All of these:
• Stated condition, not checked automatically: "Family Assistance (FA) provides cash assistance to eligible needy families that include a minor child living with a parent/parents or a caretaker relative."
• Stated condition, not checked automatically: "Under FA, eligible adults are limited to receiving benefits for a total of 60 months in their lifetime, including months of TANF-funded assistance granted in other states. Once this limit is reached, that adult and all members of their FA household are ineligible to receive any more FA benefits. The months need not be consecutive, but rather each individual month in which TANF-funded benefits are received is included in the lifetime count."
• Stated condition, not checked automatically: "Parents and other adult relatives receiving FA who are determined to be able to work must comply with federal work requirements to receive FA benefits."
• Stated condition, not checked automatically: "As a further condition of FA eligibility each person who applies for or is receiving FA is required to cooperate with State and local departments of social services in efforts to locate any absent parent and obtain support payments and other payments or property. Non-cooperation without good cause could result in lower FA benefits."
• Stated condition, not checked automatically: "Each individual and household's circumstances are different, and several factors may impact a household's eligibility for benefits, including household size, housing situation, income level, type of income, resources and other benefits received. In addition, there are certain eligibility requirements for applicants and recipients of Temporary Assistance, such as drug and alcohol screening and assessment, cooperation with child support enforcement activities, and cooperation with employment activities (e.g., job search)."

Access route 1.1

• Where: Online prescreening and application
• How: Find out if you may be eligible and apply for programs and services.
• Url: https://mybenefits.ny.gov/

Access route 1.2

• Where: Local department of social services
• How: For more information about Temporary Assistance, contact your local department of social services.
• Url: https://otda.ny.gov/workingfamilies/dss.asp

Offering 2: Safety Net Assistance (SNA)

Safety Net Assistance (SNA) provides cash assistance to eligible needy individuals and families who are not eligible for FA.

• Availability (owner codes): {"intake": "unknown", "type": "unknown"}

Conditions:

• All of these:
• Stated condition, not checked automatically: "Safety Net Assistance (SNA) provides cash assistance to eligible needy individuals and families who are not eligible for FA."
• Any one of these:
  • Stated condition, not checked automatically: "Single adults"
  • Stated condition, not checked automatically: "Childless couples"
  • Stated condition, not checked automatically: "Children living apart from any adult relative"
  • Stated condition, not checked automatically: "Families of persons found to be abusing drugs or alcohol"
  • Stated condition, not checked automatically: "Families of persons refusing drug/alcohol screening, assessment or treatment"
  • Stated condition, not checked automatically: "Non-citizens who are eligible for TA, but who are not eligible for federal reimbursement"
• Stated condition, not checked automatically: "Recipients of SNA who are determined to be able to work must also comply with work requirements to receive SNA benefits."
• Any one of these:
  • Stated condition, not checked automatically: "Generally, you can receive cash SNA for a maximum of two years in a lifetime. After that, if you are eligible for SNA, it is provided in non-cash form, such as a payment made directly to your landlord or voucher sent directly to your utility company."
  • Stated condition, not checked automatically: "Non-cash SNA is provided for families of persons found to be abusing drugs or alcohol."
  • Stated condition, not checked automatically: "Non-cash SNA is provided for families of persons refusing drug/alcohol screening, assessment, or treatment."
  • Stated condition, not checked automatically: "Non-cash SNA is provided for families with an adult who has exceeded the 60-month lifetime time limit."
• Stated condition, not checked automatically: "Each individual and household's circumstances are different, and several factors may impact a household's eligibility for benefits, including household size, housing situation, income level, type of income, resources and other benefits received. In addition, there are certain eligibility requirements for applicants and recipients of Temporary Assistance, such as drug and alcohol screening and assessment, cooperation with child support enforcement activities, and cooperation with employment activities (e.g., job search)."

Access route 2.1

• Where: Online prescreening and application
• How: Find out if you may be eligible and apply for programs and services.
• Url: https://mybenefits.ny.gov/

Access route 2.2

• Where: Local department of social services
• How: For more information about Temporary Assistance, contact your local department of social services.
• Url: https://otda.ny.gov/workingfamilies/dss.asp

Offering 3: Emergency Assistance to Adults (EAA)

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.

• Availability (owner codes): {"intake": "unknown", "type": "unknown"}

Conditions:

• All of these:
• Stated condition, not checked automatically: "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."
• Stated condition, not checked automatically: "If you and/or your family are experiencing an emergency situation, you may be eligible for emergency assistance."
• Stated condition, not checked automatically: "You DO NOT have to be eligible for ongoing Temporary Assistance to receive Emergency Assistance."

Access route 3.1

• Where: Local department of social services
• How: If you have emergency needs you should contact your local department of social services as soon as possible, so you can be interviewed and informed in writing about the decision on your emergency the same day you apply.
• Url: https://otda.ny.gov/workingfamilies/dss.asp

Offering 4: Emergency Assistance to Families (EAF)

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.

• Availability (owner codes): {"intake": "unknown", "type": "unknown"}

Conditions:

• All of these:
• Stated condition, not checked automatically: "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."
• Stated condition, not checked automatically: "If you and/or your family are experiencing an emergency situation, you may be eligible for emergency assistance."
• Stated condition, not checked automatically: "You DO NOT have to be eligible for ongoing Temporary Assistance to receive Emergency Assistance."

Access route 4.1

• Where: Local department of social services
• How: If you have emergency needs you should contact your local department of social services as soon as possible, so you can be interviewed and informed in writing about the decision on your emergency the same day you apply.
• Url: https://otda.ny.gov/workingfamilies/dss.asp

Offering 5: Emergency Safety Net Assistance (ESNA)

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

• Availability (owner codes): {"intake": "unknown", "type": "unknown"}

Conditions:

• All of these:
• Stated condition, not checked automatically: "Emergency Safety Net Assistance (ESNA) — provides emergency assistance to single adults and childless couples."
• Stated condition, not checked automatically: "If you and/or your family are experiencing an emergency situation, you may be eligible for emergency assistance."
• Stated condition, not checked automatically: "You DO NOT have to be eligible for ongoing Temporary Assistance to receive Emergency Assistance."

Access route 5.1

• Where: Local department of social services
• How: If you have emergency needs you should contact your local department of social services as soon as possible, so you can be interviewed and informed in writing about the decision on your emergency the same day you apply.
• Url: https://otda.ny.gov/workingfamilies/dss.asp

Owner confirmations

• /offerings/0/access/0: sha256:f977c2d34e4d41af7a03d03897c2dfacd12687fd0e9e7134aaab86a404e59c0a
• /offerings/1/access/0: sha256:f977c2d34e4d41af7a03d03897c2dfacd12687fd0e9e7134aaab86a404e59c0a
• /offerings/2/access/0: sha256:f6a9cb599389b37a301f96b769514cc1dbd76a2f6f753ce44977edf5cbb0d870
• /offerings/3/access/0: sha256:f6a9cb599389b37a301f96b769514cc1dbd76a2f6f753ce44977edf5cbb0d870
• /offerings/4/access/0: sha256:f6a9cb599389b37a301f96b769514cc1dbd76a2f6f753ce44977edf5cbb0d870

Evidence

• /name: "# Temporary Assistance (TA)" (source, capture ac45d989266e7002f984ffb0a29bb2e91097211acf6c57911cf2e462f4fa2910)
• /authority: "New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance" (source, capture ac45d989266e7002f984ffb0a29bb2e91097211acf6c57911cf2e462f4fa2910)
• /caregiving_effect: "Temporary Assistance (TA), also known as Public Assistance (PA), is temporary help for needy adults, and children. If you are unable to work, can't find a job, or your job does not pay enough, TA may be able to help you pay for your expenses." (source, capture ac45d989266e7002f984ffb0a29bb2e91097211acf6c57911cf2e462f4fa2910)
• /offerings/0/summary: "Family Assistance (FA) provides cash assistance to eligible needy families that include a minor child living with a parent/parents or a caretaker relative. FA operates under federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) guidelines." (source, capture ac45d989266e7002f984ffb0a29bb2e91097211acf6c57911cf2e462f4fa2910)
• /offerings/0/rules: "Under FA, eligible adults are limited to receiving benefits for a total of 60 months in their lifetime, including months of TANF-funded assistance granted in other states. Once this limit is reached, that adult and all members of their FA household are ineligible to receive any more FA benefits. The months need not be consecutive, but rather each individual month in which TANF-funded benefits are received is included in the lifetime count." (source, capture ac45d989266e7002f984ffb0a29bb2e91097211acf6c57911cf2e462f4fa2910)
• /offerings/0/rules: "Parents and other adult relatives receiving FA who are determined to be able to work must comply with federal work requirements to receive FA benefits." (source, capture ac45d989266e7002f984ffb0a29bb2e91097211acf6c57911cf2e462f4fa2910)
• /offerings/0/rules: "As a further condition of FA eligibility each person who applies for or is receiving FA is required to cooperate with State and local departments of social services in efforts to locate any absent parent and obtain support payments and other payments or property. Non-cooperation without good cause could result in lower FA benefits." (source, capture ac45d989266e7002f984ffb0a29bb2e91097211acf6c57911cf2e462f4fa2910)
• /offerings/0/rules: "Each individual and household's circumstances are different, and several factors may impact a household's eligibility for benefits, including household size, housing situation, income level, type of income, resources and other benefits received. In addition, there are certain eligibility requirements for applicants and recipients of Temporary Assistance, such as drug and alcohol screening and assessment, cooperation with child support enforcement activities, and cooperation with employment activities (e.g., job search)." (source, capture ac45d989266e7002f984ffb0a29bb2e91097211acf6c57911cf2e462f4fa2910)
• /offerings/0/access/0: "Find out if you may be eligible and apply for programs and services." (source, capture ac45d989266e7002f984ffb0a29bb2e91097211acf6c57911cf2e462f4fa2910)
• /offerings/0/access/1: "For more information about Temporary Assistance, contact your local department of social services or call the toll-free OTDA Hotline: 1-800-342-3009." (source, capture ac45d989266e7002f984ffb0a29bb2e91097211acf6c57911cf2e462f4fa2910)
• /offerings/1/summary: "Safety Net Assistance (SNA) provides cash assistance to eligible needy individuals and families who are not eligible for FA. SNA is for:" (source, capture ac45d989266e7002f984ffb0a29bb2e91097211acf6c57911cf2e462f4fa2910)
• /offerings/1/rules: "* Single adults\n* Childless couples\n* Children living apart from any adult relative\n* Families of persons found to be abusing drugs or alcohol\n* Families of persons refusing drug/alcohol screening, assessment or treatment\n* Non-citizens who are eligible for TA, but who are not eligible for federal reimbursement" (source, capture ac45d989266e7002f984ffb0a29bb2e91097211acf6c57911cf2e462f4fa2910)
• /offerings/1/rules: "Recipients of SNA who are determined to be able to work must also comply with work requirements to receive SNA benefits." (source, capture ac45d989266e7002f984ffb0a29bb2e91097211acf6c57911cf2e462f4fa2910)
• /offerings/1/rules: "Generally, you can receive cash SNA for a maximum of two years in a lifetime. After that, if you are eligible for SNA, it is provided in non-cash form, such as a payment made directly to your landlord or voucher sent directly to your utility company. In addition, non-cash SNA is provided for:" (source, capture ac45d989266e7002f984ffb0a29bb2e91097211acf6c57911cf2e462f4fa2910)
• /offerings/1/rules: "* Families of persons found to be abusing drugs or alcohol\n* Families of persons refusing drug/alcohol screening, assessment, or treatment\n* Families with an adult who has exceeded the 60-month lifetime time limit" (source, capture ac45d989266e7002f984ffb0a29bb2e91097211acf6c57911cf2e462f4fa2910)
• /offerings/1/rules: "Each individual and household's circumstances are different, and several factors may impact a household's eligibility for benefits, including household size, housing situation, income level, type of income, resources and other benefits received. In addition, there are certain eligibility requirements for applicants and recipients of Temporary Assistance, such as drug and alcohol screening and assessment, cooperation with child support enforcement activities, and cooperation with employment activities (e.g., job search)." (source, capture ac45d989266e7002f984ffb0a29bb2e91097211acf6c57911cf2e462f4fa2910)
• /offerings/1/access/0: "Find out if you may be eligible and apply for programs and services." (source, capture ac45d989266e7002f984ffb0a29bb2e91097211acf6c57911cf2e462f4fa2910)
• /offerings/1/access/1: "For more information about Temporary Assistance, contact your local department of social services or call the toll-free OTDA Hotline: 1-800-342-3009." (source, capture ac45d989266e7002f984ffb0a29bb2e91097211acf6c57911cf2e462f4fa2910)
• /offerings/2/summary: "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." (source, capture ac45d989266e7002f984ffb0a29bb2e91097211acf6c57911cf2e462f4fa2910)
• /offerings/2/rules: "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:" (source, capture ac45d989266e7002f984ffb0a29bb2e91097211acf6c57911cf2e462f4fa2910)
• /offerings/2/rules: "You DO NOT have to be eligible for ongoing Temporary Assistance to receive Emergency Assistance." (source, capture ac45d989266e7002f984ffb0a29bb2e91097211acf6c57911cf2e462f4fa2910)
• /offerings/2/access/0: "Note: If you have emergency needs you should contact your local department of social services as soon as possible, so you can be interviewed and informed in writing about the decision on your emergency the same day you apply." (source, capture ac45d989266e7002f984ffb0a29bb2e91097211acf6c57911cf2e462f4fa2910)
• /offerings/3/summary: "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." (source, capture ac45d989266e7002f984ffb0a29bb2e91097211acf6c57911cf2e462f4fa2910)
• /offerings/3/rules: "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:" (source, capture ac45d989266e7002f984ffb0a29bb2e91097211acf6c57911cf2e462f4fa2910)
• /offerings/3/rules: "You DO NOT have to be eligible for ongoing Temporary Assistance to receive Emergency Assistance." (source, capture ac45d989266e7002f984ffb0a29bb2e91097211acf6c57911cf2e462f4fa2910)
• /offerings/3/access/0: "Note: If you have emergency needs you should contact your local department of social services as soon as possible, so you can be interviewed and informed in writing about the decision on your emergency the same day you apply." (source, capture ac45d989266e7002f984ffb0a29bb2e91097211acf6c57911cf2e462f4fa2910)
• /offerings/4/summary: "Emergency Safety Net Assistance (ESNA) — provides emergency assistance to single adults and childless couples." (source, capture ac45d989266e7002f984ffb0a29bb2e91097211acf6c57911cf2e462f4fa2910)
• /offerings/4/rules: "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:" (source, capture ac45d989266e7002f984ffb0a29bb2e91097211acf6c57911cf2e462f4fa2910)
• /offerings/4/rules: "You DO NOT have to be eligible for ongoing Temporary Assistance to receive Emergency Assistance." (source, capture ac45d989266e7002f984ffb0a29bb2e91097211acf6c57911cf2e462f4fa2910)
• /offerings/4/access/0: "Note: If you have emergency needs you should contact your local department of social services as soon as possible, so you can be interviewed and informed in writing about the decision on your emergency the same day you apply." (source, capture ac45d989266e7002f984ffb0a29bb2e91097211acf6c57911cf2e462f4fa2910)