Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP)

1. How it Works

If you are between the ages of 14 and 24, you can get a summer job through SYEP. There are jobs in government, museums, sports, and more. For more help, SYEP leads workshops on finding a job and understanding your finances.

Apply between February and March each year
Selection is based on a lottery
Apply online or at a community-based organization during the application period
Work is available for youth with disabilities

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2. Determine Your Eligibility

2. Determine your eligibility

You may be eligible if you can answer yes to these questions.

Do you live in NYC?
Are you between 14 and 24 years old?

Take a short survey to see if you might be eligible for this or 30 other programs.

Am I Eligible?

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3. What You Need to Include

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.

A Social Security Card is required for all applicants as proof of Social Security number. All references to the word “current” means documents dated within the last six (6) months or where applicable documents which are still valid and have not expired.

SYEP does not require documents to be submitted with the application. You will only need to submit documents if you are selected from the lottery.

For each person applying, any one document:

Driver license or official photo ID
Birth certificate
IDNYC
Passport
Social Security Card for dependents
Social Security Card or ITIN
Baptismal or other religious certificate
Marriage records
Medicaid card
Naturalization certificate
Official birth records
Official school records
Adoption records
Other official record showing birth date

For the household, any one document:

Driver license issued within the past 6 months
Current letter, lease, or rent receipt from your landlord with your home address
Utility bill (gas, electric, or water)
IDNYC
Correspondence from a government agency with your name and your street address (not a P.O. Box)
Documents from the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA)
Letter or statement from the government (federal, state, or city)

For each income source of each income earner, any one document:

Wages & Salary

Paycheck stubs (from the last two weeks in a row that you worked)
W2
NYCHA statements of family income

Cash Assistance

Cash Assistance budget letter
Cash Assistance ID card with recent withdrawal receipt
EFPT receipt
SNAP card with photo

Unemployment Income

Award letter or certificate
Award letter or certificate with benefit amount
Benefit statement (available on the internet)

Social Security Benefits (SSI Dependent Disability Survivor’s Retirement)

Current award letter or certificate
Current benefit check

Pensions, Annuities, or IRA

1099-R
Statement from pension or annuity

For each person with a disability, any one document:

Proof of Social Security Disability or Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
Statement from medical professional

For each person applying, any one document:

Working papers for applicants 17 years old and younger.

For each person applying, any one document if applicable to males 18 years of age and over:

Record of online registration (www.sss.gov)
Selective Service Registration Letter
Stamped post office receipt

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4. How to Apply

4. How to apply

Here are your options.

Apply online

Apply to SYEP online during the application period (February – March). The application for SYEP will only be available during that time.
Participants are selected by lottery for the program.

Apply online

Apply in person

Youth can also apply at their community-based organization.

Find a Community Organization

Come back to it later.
We can send you a link to this page to help you get back to it when you’re ready.

Summer work for youth