New York assistance directory
Low-Income Help and Resources in New York
New York residents may be able to get help with food, heating, housing, healthcare, child care, cash assistance, work, legal concerns, phone or internet costs, and crisis needs. The correct application often depends on whether you live in New York City or elsewhere in the state, so begin with the route that matches your address.
Money Fit serves New York residents statewide. Our New York office is located at 4170 Veterans Memorial Hwy., Suite 203, Bohemia, NY 11716. Counseling is also available by phone and online throughout New York.
Where to start
You do not need to know the exact program name before asking for help. Choose the starting point that matches where you live and what is happening now.
Outside New York City
myBenefits is the main state portal for SNAP, Public Assistance, benefit screening, recertification, case details, and document submission.
Open myBenefitsInside New York City
ACCESS HRA is the city portal for SNAP, Cash Assistance, HEAP, Medicaid, CityFHEPS, and other Human Resources Administration services.
Open ACCESS HRALocal or urgent help anywhere
Call 211 or search online for nearby food, housing, utility, healthcare, transportation, family, and crisis services.
Contact 211 New YorkYour location changes where you apply. New York City uses ACCESS HRA for many benefits. Most residents elsewhere use myBenefits and a county social services district. Child care assistance has additional local routing, including separate application processes in New York City and Schenectady County.
Food assistance
For ongoing grocery help, start with SNAP or WIC when it fits your household. For food needed sooner, use the statewide food-bank directory or call 211.
New York SNAP
SNAP helps eligible households buy groceries. New York City residents apply and recertify through ACCESS HRA. Residents elsewhere generally use myBenefits or their local social services district.
OTDA hotline: 800-342-3009
New York WIC
WIC provides food, nutrition education, breastfeeding support, and referrals for eligible pregnant, breastfeeding, and postpartum participants, infants, and children under age five.
Growing Up Healthy Hotline: 800-522-5006
Food banks and pantries by county
Feeding New York State routes residents to the correct regional food bank or pantry locator for every county and New York City borough.
Housing, rent, and utility help
Housing help is divided among state agencies, local housing authorities, county social services districts, and New York City agencies. Waiting lists and seasonal utility programs can open or close without much notice.
Home Energy Assistance Program
The 2025–2026 Regular HEAP benefit closed April 10, Emergency HEAP closed April 24, and Cooling Assistance closed June 5. The regular heating program normally opens in early to mid-November. Check the official status before preparing an application.
OTDA hotline: 800-342-3009
Energy Affordability Program
Participating electric and natural-gas utilities offer monthly bill discounts to eligible households. Enrollment rules and discount amounts vary by utility and household status.
New York Housing Search
Search affordable and accessible rentals financed or regulated through New York State Homes and Community Renewal. Listings, lotteries, application periods, and waiting lists vary.
Housing Choice Vouchers
Section 8 assistance is managed through local program administrators and open waiting lists. New applicants must use the administrator or portal serving their location.
Emergency housing and homelessness help
Call 211 for nearby shelter, homelessness prevention, rent, utility, and local emergency programs. Outside New York City, a county social services district may also provide emergency assistance. New York City residents can call 311 for city shelter and HRA services.
Healthcare coverage and clinics
NY State of Health is the official marketplace for Medicaid, Child Health Plus, the Essential Plan, and private marketplace coverage. Some Medicaid applications for older adults, people with disabilities, or long-term-care needs use a local social services district or New York City HRA instead.
NY State of Health
Apply for or renew Medicaid, Child Health Plus, the Essential Plan, or marketplace insurance under current eligibility rules. Certified enrollment assistance is also available.
Customer Service: 855-355-5777
New York Medicaid
Most adults and children start through NY State of Health. People age 65 or older, certified blind or disabled, or applying for certain long-term-care services may need to apply through a local social services district or NYC HRA.
Medicaid Helpline: 800-541-2831
Community health centers
Federally supported health centers provide primary care and may offer dental, pharmacy, behavioral health, and other services. Fees are generally based on ability to pay, but services and appointment availability differ by location.
Health coverage rules are changing for some Essential Plan enrollees in 2026. Check your NY State of Health account or call 855-355-5777 for current eligibility, renewal, and transition instructions rather than relying on older descriptions of the program.
Child care, family, and cash assistance
Child care assistance and Temporary Assistance are administered through local districts. The correct online application depends on where the household lives.
Child Care Assistance Program
CCAP may help eligible families pay some or all child care costs. The statewide online application cannot be used by New York City or Schenectady County residents, who must follow their local application process.
Regulated child care providers
Search registered and licensed child care programs by county, ZIP code, age served, operating hours, and other needs. New York City center-based programs may use separate city records.
Statewide help: 800-732-5207
Temporary Assistance and Safety Net Assistance
New York's cash-assistance system includes Family Assistance and Safety Net Assistance. Eligibility, work requirements, benefit type, and application handling depend on household circumstances and the local district.
Work, legal help, and essential services
Job loss, a legal problem, or loss of phone or internet access can quickly affect housing, healthcare, and the ability to apply for other assistance.
New York unemployment insurance
File a new unemployment claim through the New York State Department of Labor. Eligibility and benefit amounts depend on work history, wages, and the facts surrounding the job loss.
New York State Career Centers
Career Centers provide job-search help, workshops, training referrals, resume assistance, computers, phones, printers, and other employment services at locations across the state.
LawHelpNY
Search for free or low-cost civil legal services involving housing, public benefits, debt collection, family matters, employment, healthcare, and other covered issues. Help and representation are not guaranteed.
Federal Lifeline benefit
Lifeline may lower the monthly cost of phone or internet service for households that qualify by income or through programs such as SNAP or Medicaid.
Support: 800-234-9473
Older adults, people with disabilities, and caregivers
New York provides statewide navigation for long-term services, home and community support, meals, transportation, caregiver help, Medicare counseling, and local aging programs.
NY Connects
NY Connects provides free, objective information about long-term services and supports for people of any age or disability, along with families and caregivers.
Phone: 800-342-9871
Area Agencies on Aging
Local Offices for the Aging connect older adults and caregivers with meals, transportation, caregiver support, benefits counseling, safety resources, and other community programs.
Crisis and safety resources
If someone is in immediate danger or cannot stay safe, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department.
988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
Call or text 988 for free, confidential support involving emotional distress, mental health, suicide concerns, alcohol or drug use, or another behavioral health crisis. Support is available 24 hours a day.
New York State confidential hotline
The statewide hotline provides confidential support, safety planning, and connections to local domestic and sexual violence programs. Call, text, and chat are available 24 hours a day in most languages.
Call: 800-942-6906
Text: 844-997-2121
New York OASAS HOPEline
Call or text for free, confidential support and referrals involving substance use, addiction treatment, recovery, or gambling harms.
Call: 877-846-7369
Text: HOPENY to 467369
211 New York
Call 211 for free, confidential referrals to local food, shelter, utility, mental health, transportation, family, and emergency programs. Service is available 24 hours a day in multiple languages.
Review the household budget and unsecured debt together
Public assistance may help with one urgent cost while credit cards, medical bills, collections, personal loans, or payday loans continue taking money from the rest of the budget. Money Fit nonprofit credit counseling can help New York residents review income, expenses, debts, and possible next steps.
A debt management plan may be discussed when it fits the budget and eligible unsecured debts. It is not a new loan or debt settlement, and creditor participation and concessions can vary.
Money Fit does not provide cash assistance, food benefits, rent assistance, utility benefits, government benefits, or emergency grants. The counseling form below is for help reviewing debt and monthly payments.
Open the Money Fit debt review form
Share a few details so Money Fit can respond to your request. Your information stays with Money Fit and is not sent to a marketplace of lenders or debt companies.
