For the latest information on assistance during the pandemic, go to our Coronavirus (COVID-19) Updates page.
Get back to this page: https://access.nyc.gov/programs/cash-assistance/
Cash & Expenses
Cash help when you are in need
Cash Assistance | NYC Human Resources Administration
1. How it Works
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.
Update: You can apply for all Cash Assistance, SNAP, Medicaid Renewal at the same time through the Cash Assistance application on ACCESS HRA.
- Requires proof of identity, where you live, income, and citizenship status
- You must be a US citizen or have satisfactory immigration status to receive Cash Assistance; a worker will help you learn your status when you apply
- If you are able to work, you will either need to be working, in an education or training program, or participate in a program assigned to you in order to get Cash Assistance
- You can get money for emergencies, including: eviction, energy and utility bills, natural disasters, and your safety or health
- Apply in person, or have an interview at home if you are homebound
Next section:
More ways to get help with this program
Visit the website
Visit the Cash Assistance website to learn more about this program.
Immigrants can make an appointment with ActionNYC to receive assistance.
Call 311
Ask for Cash Assistance.
Call the HRA Infoline
Call the HRA Infoline at 718-557-1399 for more information.
Visit a Job Center
Find an open HRA Job Center near you.
2. Determine your eligibility
This program looks at several things to decide if you are eligible. Some of them include:
- how much money you earn
- how much money you receive from benefits
- how many people live in your house
- resources like cash or a checking account
- your citizenship or immigration status
Take a short survey to see if you might be eligible for this or 30 other programs.
Am I Eligible?Next section:
3. What you need to include
It’s important to include the right documents when you apply. Your documents show whether the program is right for you.
This page can help you choose the right documents for your application.
Proof of who you are
For each person applying, any one document:
One of these:
- Photo I.D.
- Driver’s license
- U.S. passport
- Naturalization certificate
- Hospital or doctor’s records
- Adoption papers
If you don’t have one of the above list, bring two of these:
- Statement from another person
- Birth or baptismal certificate
- Validated Social Security Number (SSN)
Proof of where you live
For the household, any one document:
One of these:
- Statement from landlord or primary tenant
- Current rent receipt or lease
- Mortgage records
If you don’t have one of the above list, bring two of these:
- Statement from another person
- Current mail
- School records
Proof of your income
For each source of each income earner, any one document:
Wages & Salary
- W-2 form
- Income tax return
- Letter from employer on company letterhead, signed and dated
- Paycheck stubs (1 stub of earnings to date, 1 stub if you are paid monthly, 2 stubs if you’re paid a few times a month, or 4 stubs if you are paid every week)
Self-employment
- Signed and dated income tax return and all schedules
Military pay
- Leave and Earnings Statement (LES)
Severance Pay
- Self-declaration from the participant
Unemployment Income
- Award letter or certificate
- Current benefit check
Social Security Benefits (SSI, Dependent, Disability, Survivor’s, Retirement)
- Current award letter or certificate
Veteran’s Benefits
- Current award letter
Education Grants and Loans
- Statement from school, statement from bank, or statement from agency administering grant or award letter
Interest, Dividends, Royalties
- Statement from bank, credit union or financial institution
- Statement from broker or agent
Proof of your expenses
For each expense, any one document:
Shelter Expenses
- Current rent receipt, lease, mortgage book, or records
- Property and school tax records
- Landlord statement
- Sewer and water bills, or garbage or trash collection bills or receipts
- Homeowner’s insurance records
- Fuel bills or fuel shut-off notice
- Non-heating utility bills
- Telephone bills (or a statement from the household that the expense is incurred)
Medical Expenses
- Statement from provider of health insurance premiums
- Copies of medical bills (paid and unpaid)
- Medicare prescription drug card
Other Expenses or Dependent Care Cost
- Court order
- Statement from day care center or other child care provider
- Statement from aide or attendant
- Canceled checks or receipts
Proof of citizenship/immigration status
For each person applying, any one document:
- Birth certificate
- Baptismal certificate or records
- Hospital records
- U.S. passport
- Military service records
- Naturalization certificate
- USCIS documentation
- Evidence of continuous U.S. residence since before 1/1/72
Proof of your marital status
For each person applying, any one document:
- Marriage or death certificates
- Separation agreement
- Divorce decree
Proof of your relationship
For each person applying, any one document:
- Birth certificate (long form)
- Adoption papers or records
- Court records
- Medical records
Proof of your household composition/size
For the household, any one document:
- Statement from non-relative landlord
- School records
Proof of someone's absence in your family (Death of Parent(s))
For each absent family member, any one document:
- Death certificate
- Survivor’s benefit records
- Hospital records
- VA or military records
- Divorce papers
- Proof of remarriage
To verify absent parent information
For each parent, any one document:
- Pay stubs
- Tax returns
- Social Security or VA records
- Monetary determination letters
- I.D. cards (health insurance)
- Driver’s license or registration
Proof of your resources
For each resource of each resource holder, any one document:
- Current bank and credit card records
- Stock or bond certificate and statement from financial institution for stocks, bonds, certificates and mutual funds
- Insurance policy and statement from insurance company for life insurance resources
- Burial agreement and burial plot deed for burial trust or fund
- Refund of EITC check and statement from tax office for income tax or EITC
- Deed statement from real estate broker and broker’s estimate of current value (for real estate other than residence)
- Vehicle registration, title of ownership, and appraisal of current value by dealer, and financing data for motor vehicles
- For lump sum payment, statement from the source of payment and lump sum check
- For all other resources, statement from household, statement from nursing home, or household statement of current value and sales slips
Next section:
4. How to apply
Here are your options.
Apply online
During the public health emergency, you can submit a Cash Assistance application or recertification online using ACCESS HRA.
- Visit ACCESS HRA or use the ACCESS HRA mobile app to submit your application.
- You can apply for all Cash Assistance, SNAP, Medicaid Renewal at the same time through the Cash Assistance application on ACCESS HRA.
Apply by mail
Download an application form, complete and mail it to an open Job Center or drop it in the Drop Box at an open Job Center.
Apply in person
- Visit an open HRA Job Center to drop an application in the Drop Box.
- If you have a medical or mental health condition that makes it hard for you to apply, you can call 212-331-4640 to make arrangements to have a worker do the interview over the phone with you.
- When you apply, you will need to provide proof of certain things. A worker will tell you which of these things you must prove. It will help if you submit proof of your identity, where you live, who lives with you, and your income.
- You can apply for SNAP and medical assistance when you apply for Cash Assistance.
Come back to it later.
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More ways to get help with this program
Visit the website
Visit the Cash Assistance website to learn more about this program.
Immigrants can make an appointment with ActionNYC to receive assistance.
Call 311
Ask for Cash Assistance.
Call the HRA Infoline
Call the HRA Infoline at 718-557-1399 for more information.
Visit a Job Center
Find an open HRA Job Center near you.
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