There are many cash benefits offered at both the City- and Federal-level. They can help you pay your bills, or you can receive monthly funds on a debit card.
What help can I get?
If you need help with day-to-day expenses, cash benefits are available to a wide range of New Yorkers.
- For monthly funds on a debit or ATM card, see Cash Assistance.
- For reductions on internet and phone bills, see Lifeline.
- For reductions on heating bills, see Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP). For reductions on air conditioning bills, see Cooling Assistance Benefit.
- For 50% off Metro subway and bus fares, see Fair Fares NYC. Parents of children enrolled in an NYC Department of Education (DOE) school may be eligible for a free monthly MetroCard. Talk to a family assistant at your shelter or an STH School-Based Liaison at your child’s school for more information.
If you have a disability, you can apply for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and receive money from the US government. SSI helps people with disabilities who have little or no income. They can provide cash to meet basic needs for food, clothing, and shelter. Visit the SSI website or call 1-800-772-1213 to learn more.
How do I get started?
- Go to Access NYC and fill out a short online survey. The survey results will let you know what City benefits you’re eligible for, including some of the ones listed here. Follow the instructions on the result page to apply for benefits. You can also email your results to City staff at your child’s school or your shelter for help.
- Speak to City staff who can help. In schools, there may be an STH Community Coordinator or STH School-Based Liaison who can answer questions. If your child’s school doesn’t have those roles, reach out to the school’s regional manager. In a shelter, speak with a social worker, case manager, or family assistant.
- Gather your documents. You may need certain documents to apply for services. Common ones include proof of identity, proof of address, and proof of income. Don’t let missing documents keep you from applying. City staff can help you replace missing documents.
Undocumented immigrants can access many city services, regardless of their status. City employees will not ask about immigration status unless it is necessary to do their jobs. They must keep information about immigration status confidential.
What benefits and programs does NYC offer?
Click an entry to learn more.
Cash during an emergency
Emergency Assistance / One Shot Deal
Cash & expenses | NYC Human Resources Administration (HRA)
You may be able to get help if you cannot pay your bills because you lost your job, are getting less pay from your job, or had another emergency like an unexpected medical situation. This help is called “Emergency Assistance” or a “One Shot Deal.”
Cash help when you are in need
Cash Assistance
Cash & expenses | NYC Human Resources Administration (HRA)
Your family can get cash if you are in need. The funds come on a debit card that you can use at any ATM or store where EBT cards are accepted.
Discount on your phone or internet service
Lifeline
Cash & expenses | Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
Lifeline is a federal program that gives up to a $9.25 monthly discount on phone or internet service. You can only use Lifeline for either phone or internet, but not both.
Financial help to cover the cost and installation of an air conditioner or fan
Cooling Assistance Benefit
Cash & expenses | NYC Human Resources Administration (HRA)
The Cooling Assistance benefit helps eligible households buy and install an air conditioner or fan up to a cost of $800.
Free financial counseling and coaching
NYC Financial Empowerment Centers
Cash & expenses | NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP)
NYC Financial Empowerment Centers provide free, one-on-one professional financial counseling and coaching to help you reach your goals.
Free tax prep services
NYC Free Tax Prep
Cash & expenses | NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP)
If you earned $72,000 or less in 2021, you can file your taxes for free with NYC Free Tax Prep. IRS-certified VITA/TCE volunteer preparers are available to help you file.
Money for funerals due to COVID-19
COVID-19 Funeral Assistance
Cash & expenses | Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
You can be reimbursed if you paid for the funeral of someone who died due to COVID-19.
Money for heat and utility expenses
Home Energy Assistance Program
Cash & expenses | NYC Human Resources Administration (HRA)
HEAP helps low-income households meet the cost of heating their homes. The benefit can pay for fuel, your utility source, and heating equipment replacement and repairs. The benefit is paid either directly to the heating vendor or utility company.
Monthly discount on internet service
Affordable Connectivity Program
Cash & expenses | Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) gives your household a $30 discount on internet service every month. You will need to sign up for a plan from a participating internet provider.
Payments for eligible unemployed adults
NYS Unemployment Insurance
Cash & expenses | NYS Department of Labor (NYSDOL)
If you lost your job and it was not your fault, you might be able to get Unemployment Insurance (UI) payments. UI will give you some money based on what you earned. You must be looking for a new job to get UI.
Ride for half price
Fair Fares NYC
Cash & expenses | NYC Human Resources Administration (HRA)
Fair Fares NYC helps low-income New Yorkers save 50% on public transportation including subway fares, eligible bus fares, and Access-A-Ride paratransit trips.
Stimulus payments during COVID-19
Economic Impact Payments
Cash & expenses | Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
The IRS sent three Economic Impact Payments (stimulus payments) to adults and families with work-eligible Social Security Numbers (SSN). These payments were sent in 2020 and 2021. If you did not get your payments, claim the Recovery Rebate Credit on your 2021 or 2020 tax return.
Tax credit for families with children
Child Tax Credit
Cash & expenses | NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP); Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
The Child Tax Credit (CTC) provides financial support to families to help raise their children. When you claim this credit when filing a tax return, you can lower the taxes you owe and potentially increase your refund.
Tax credit if you paid for child care or dependent care
Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit
Cash & expenses | NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP); Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
The Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit reimburses you if you paid for child care or care for a dependent. When you claim this credit when filing a tax return, you can lower the taxes you owe and potentially increase your refund.
Tax savings for working individuals and families
Earned Income Tax Credit
Cash & expenses | NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP); Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
EITC is a tax credit worth up to $6,728 in 2021 for low- to moderate-income workers and families. When you claim this credit when filing a tax return, you can lower the taxes you owe and potentially increase your refund.