URIDA lists 48 programs for people in New York: 38 from government agencies, 9 from nonprofits, foundations, utilities and other private groups, and 1 from other sources. Each one was checked against its official page. Some serve only part of the state, and dates and rules change, so look on the official page before you apply.
URIDA is not a government agency. Each program's operator takes applications and decides eligibility.
Low-income New Yorkers (low-income families, displaced families, disabled individuals, seniors, veterans) who meet income limits by household size and location, are U.S. citizens or have eligible immigration status, and have a valid Social Security number.
New York State: eligible homeowners age 60 and older who own and live in their home and meet HEAP income and resource requirements, through their local HEAP Local District Contact.
New York households below state median income (or area median income for Con Edison, National Grid NYC, or National Grid Long Island customers), and households receiving HEAP or listed public assistance programs, including on NY tribal lands.
People at the World Trade Center in Lower Manhattan or, in some cases, parts of Brooklyn on September 11, 2001, or who took part in the Pentagon or Shanksville, PA rescue, recovery or cleanup, and developed a related physical or mental health condition; not limited to first responders.
New York Medicaid applicants. MAGI groups (adults 19-64 not eligible for Medicare, children 1-18, infants under 1, pregnant individuals, parents and caretaker relatives) apply with NY State of Health; other non-MAGI groups work with their Local Department of Social Services (LDSS).
AUBURN COMMUNITY HOSPITAL — financial assistance policy
Who it is for
Patients with limited incomes and/or no health insurance; everyone in New York State needing emergency services, and everyone living in NYS for non-emergency medically necessary services, if they meet the income limits; may apply regardless of immigration status. At or below 100% FPL: not charged.
Parents and families: the hotline 'can help connect you and your family to services you need' (food access and nutrition, health care and health insurance, parent support and home visiting, family planning, pregnancy and newborn health, children with special health care needs).
JONES MEMORIAL HOSPITAL — financial assistance policy
Who it is for
Uninsured/underinsured with annual gross household income less than or equal to 400% FPG; NYS residents for emergency services; residents of primary service areas incl. Allegany, Cattaraugus and Stueben counties for medically necessary care. Discount 100% up to 200%; 90% 201–300%; 80% 301–400%.
"Any parent, guardian, caretaker of a child, or child who needs support can enroll in child support services." Public assistance (Family Assistance or Safety Net Assistance) applicants are referred without having to enroll.
'temporary help for needy adults, and children'. Family Assistance serves needy families with a minor child living with a parent or caretaker relative; Safety Net Assistance serves those not eligible for FA, such as single adults and childless couples.
New York City residents. 'Eligible families may receive up to 60 months of federally funded Cash Assistance under the Temporary Assistance to Needy Families Program (TANF)'; single individuals without children and families past 60 months may receive Safety Net Assistance.
Apply for Child Care Financial Assistance for NYC Residents
Who it is for
New York City families; "Eligibility is based on your residency, income, immigration status, and reason for care." Programs cover children from birth to thirteen years old (or up to 19 years old for children with disabilities).
New York State families; 'Families may qualify based on income, reasons for needing child care, and a child's age or individual needs.' Annual income limits are 85% of NYS Median Income (e.g., $60,576.10 for family size 1).
Older adults who are frail or have disabilities; individuals 'must require hands on assistance or supervision in activities of daily living (mobility, transfers, toileting and/or eating).'
Apply for Adult Career and Vocational Rehabilitation (ACCES-VR)
Who it is for
"To apply or be referred for ACCES-VR services you must be: An individual with a disability or disabilities; At least 14 years old; AND Available and willing to actively participate in the vocational rehabilitation process."
SSDI: "adults who have worked and now find themselves unable to work due to a disability." SSI: "adults and children who meet the definition of disabled and have limited income and resources"; SSI is also payable to people 65 and older without disabilities who meet the financial limits.
Surviving family members of a Service member who was a New York State resident at death (or a NY Army/Air National Guard member when entering the active duty in which they died) and who died in a combat zone, while receiving hazardous duty pay, or from wounds sustained there.
Veterans who served in the United States Armed Forces, for property in New York taxing jurisdictions that offer the exemption; applies to county, city, town, and village taxes and may apply to school district taxes.
Immigrants in New York State; ONA 'assists all new Americans in accessing and navigating a variety of free services'. Hotline in 200+ languages; calls are anonymous.
New Yorkers; helps people find free or low-cost legal services 'if your work does not pay you enough to afford a lawyer'; Know Your Rights and self-help resources on 11 areas of law 'but not criminal law'.
Run by New York State Department of Taxation and Finance
Who it is for
Taxpayers who qualified for and claimed the federal earned income credit and did not claim the Noncustodial parent earned income credit; fully refundable for full-year residents, partially for part-year residents, nonrefundable for nonresidents.
'Any person aged 65 or over, or any person with a qualifying disability' (e.g., receiving Medicare for any reason other than age; serious mental illness and receiving SSI; blindness; deafness or hearing loss; ambulatory, cognitive or other physical disability).
Individuals and families affected by a disaster or event in New York State; the section serves as liaison between counties and DHSES and links to FEMA Individuals and Households Program and SBA loan information.