New York Financial Help
New York Financial Help, Public Benefits & Court-Related Costs
A statewide directory of public benefits and community organizations that may help with basic needs, rent and utilities, and in some cases court-related fees or restitution planning. Programs include state OTDA benefits, NYC HRA services, and regional community action agencies. OACRA does not handle your case or apply for benefits for you — we help you find the right office to contact and questions to ask.
New York City (5 Boroughs)
Boroughs: Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, The Bronx, Staten Island
✅ Verified NYC HRA & core public benefits
NYC Human Resources Administration (HRA) – Cash Assistance
Provides Cash Assistance (public assistance) for eligible NYC residents. Applications can often be started online or at an HRA Job Center.
Provides Cash Assistance (public assistance) for eligible NYC residents. Applications can often be started online or at an HRA Job Center.
Ask your officer if caseworker letters can support compliance
Citywide
HRA Emergency Assistance / “One Shot Deal”
One-time or short-term help for rent, utilities, and other emergencies when you meet eligibility rules and show risk of eviction or shutoff.
One-time or short-term help for rent, utilities, and other emergencies when you meet eligibility rules and show risk of eviction or shutoff.
Keep copies of any approval or denial for your records
Citywide
HRA – SNAP (Food Benefits)
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program for food costs, often applied for via the ACCESS HRA app or online portal.
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program for food costs, often applied for via the ACCESS HRA app or online portal.
Report address or household changes to avoid overpayments
Citywide
HEAP – Home Energy Assistance Program
Helps with heating and utility costs during the HEAP season. In NYC, applications are processed through HRA; outside NYC, through county DSS.
Helps with heating and utility costs during the HEAP season. In NYC, applications are processed through HRA; outside NYC, through county DSS.
Check annual opening and closing dates
Citywide
🛠️ Eligible Community financial & basic-needs support
BronxWorks & similar settlement houses
Offer help with benefits applications, financial counseling, and sometimes small rental or utility grants depending on funding.
Offer help with benefits applications, financial counseling, and sometimes small rental or utility grants depending on funding.
Ask if they can provide proof of budgeting classes or appointments
Borough-based
Catholic Charities – NYC
Limited emergency assistance, food, and case management for eligible households, including referrals for rent and utility help.
Limited emergency assistance, food, and case management for eligible households, including referrals for rent and utility help.
Funding is limited; call before relying on help for court dates
Citywide
Civil Legal Services & Debt Clinics
Organizations such as Legal Aid and neighborhood legal services sometimes help with license suspensions, debt, or consumer issues that affect supervision.
Organizations such as Legal Aid and neighborhood legal services sometimes help with license suspensions, debt, or consumer issues that affect supervision.
Ask specifically about fines/fees related to your case
Citywide
Long Island (Nassau & Suffolk)
Counties: Nassau, Suffolk
✅ Verified County benefits & basic-needs help
Nassau County Department of Social Services
Handles SNAP, Temporary Assistance, HEAP, and emergency grants for Nassau residents.
Handles SNAP, Temporary Assistance, HEAP, and emergency grants for Nassau residents.
Bring ID and proof of address; ask about appointment letters
Nassau County
Suffolk County Department of Social Services
Administers public benefits including SNAP, Temporary Assistance, and emergency aid for Suffolk County.
Administers public benefits including SNAP, Temporary Assistance, and emergency aid for Suffolk County.
Ask which office matches your ZIP code
Suffolk County
🛠️ Eligible Community financial & food help
Long Island Cares
Regional food bank with pantries, veterans’ services, and occasional financial assistance programs.
Regional food bank with pantries, veterans’ services, and occasional financial assistance programs.
Good for food plus benefit-navigation help
Island-wide
EAC Network
Provides reentry programs, case management, and sometimes limited financial help or referrals related to basic needs.
Provides reentry programs, case management, and sometimes limited financial help or referrals related to basic needs.
Ask if your probation office partners with them
Nassau & Suffolk
Hudson Valley
Counties: Westchester, Rockland, Orange, Dutchess, Ulster, Sullivan, Putnam
✅ Verified County DSS & state programs
Westchester County Department of Social Services
Administers SNAP, Temporary Assistance, HEAP, child support, and emergency grants for county residents.
Administers SNAP, Temporary Assistance, HEAP, child support, and emergency grants for county residents.
Ask about payment plans if you have overpayments
Westchester County
New York State OTDA
State agency overseeing SNAP, Temporary Assistance, and HEAP. Website has benefit screeners, applications, and policy information.
State agency overseeing SNAP, Temporary Assistance, and HEAP. Website has benefit screeners, applications, and policy information.
Useful for learning your rights & responsibilities
Statewide
🛠️ Eligible Community action & local funds
WestCOP & Community Action Agencies
May offer limited rental, utility, and emergency assistance along with case management.
May offer limited rental, utility, and emergency assistance along with case management.
Funding cycles open and close; call early
Hudson Valley
United Way 211 Hudson Valley
Referral line to locate local funds for rent, utilities, food, and other needs.
Referral line to locate local funds for rent, utilities, food, and other needs.
Call 2-1-1 and ask for “emergency assistance” resources
Regional
Capital Region / Albany
Counties: Albany, Rensselaer, Schenectady, Saratoga
✅ Verified County DSS & benefits
Albany County Department of Social Services
Provides core public benefits including SNAP, Temporary Assistance, and some emergency grants.
Provides core public benefits including SNAP, Temporary Assistance, and some emergency grants.
Coordinate any mandatory appointments with supervision schedule
Albany County
🛠️ Eligible Community financial help
Catholic Charities – Diocese of Albany
Limited emergency funds, food, and support services when funding is available.
Limited emergency funds, food, and support services when funding is available.
Ask which counties and ZIP codes they currently serve
Capital Region
Central NY / Syracuse
Counties: Onondaga, Madison, Cortland
✅ Verified County DSS & public benefits
Onondaga County Department of Social Services
Manages SNAP, Temporary Assistance, child support, and HEAP for the Syracuse area.
Manages SNAP, Temporary Assistance, child support, and HEAP for the Syracuse area.
Let them know if you have court-ordered financial obligations
Onondaga County
🛠️ Eligible Community action & budgeting help
PEACE, Inc. & local community action agencies
Offer food, basic needs, and sometimes financial coaching or emergency funds.
Offer food, basic needs, and sometimes financial coaching or emergency funds.
Certificates from budgeting classes may look good to courts
Central NY
Rochester & Finger Lakes
Counties: Monroe, Ontario, Wayne, Livingston, Seneca
✅ Verified DSS & mainstream benefits
Monroe County Department of Human Services
Handles SNAP, cash assistance, HEAP, and emergency grants for Rochester-area residents.
Handles SNAP, cash assistance, HEAP, and emergency grants for Rochester-area residents.
Keep all notices; missed appointments can affect your case
Monroe County
🛠️ Eligible Community financial assistance
Action for a Better Community
Community action agency offering basic-needs support, referrals, and sometimes limited financial assistance.
Community action agency offering basic-needs support, referrals, and sometimes limited financial assistance.
Ask if they can confirm participation to your officer
Rochester / Monroe County
Buffalo & Western New York
Counties: Erie, Niagara, Chautauqua, Cattaraugus
✅ Verified DSS & state benefits
Erie County Department of Social Services
Provides core benefit programs and emergency assistance for eligible residents.
Provides core benefit programs and emergency assistance for eligible residents.
Coordinate DSS appointments with reporting days
Erie County
🛠️ Eligible Community financial help
Community Action Organization of Western New York (CAO)
Provides food, basic-needs support, and sometimes limited financial help for households in crisis.
Provides food, basic-needs support, and sometimes limited financial help for households in crisis.
Funds are limited; ask what documentation is needed
Buffalo / Erie County
211 WNY
Regional 211 helpline listing local rent, utility, and emergency-support funds across Western New York.
Regional 211 helpline listing local rent, utility, and emergency-support funds across Western New York.
Call 2-1-1 and ask for financial assistance programs
Western NY
Southern Tier & North Country
Counties: Broome, Chemung, Steuben, Tioga, Tompkins, Jefferson, St. Lawrence, Clinton (and nearby)
✅ Verified County DSS & HEAP
Broome County Department of Social Services
Public benefits and emergency assistance for Binghamton-area residents.
Public benefits and emergency assistance for Binghamton-area residents.
Ask if they can send verification directly to your officer
Broome County
North Country County DSS Offices
Each county (Jefferson, St. Lawrence, Clinton, etc.) has a DSS office managing benefits and emergency grants.
Each county (Jefferson, St. Lawrence, Clinton, etc.) has a DSS office managing benefits and emergency grants.
Check which county you’re allowed to live in while on supervision
North Country
🛠️ Eligible Community action & small grants
Regional Community Action Agencies
Local agencies offer food, budgeting help, and limited emergency funds when available.
Local agencies offer food, budgeting help, and limited emergency funds when available.
Search 211 or ask DSS who the local agency is
Southern Tier & North Country
Important: Being approved for benefits does not cancel court-ordered fines, restitution, or supervision costs. Use these programs to stabilize basic needs so you can stay compliant.
Before relying on financial help: confirm with your officer how any lump-sum payments, settlements, or retroactive benefits might affect restitution or child support. Keep copies of all benefit letters, decisions, and payment histories.
Legal disclaimer: OACRA is not a benefits office or law firm. We do not give legal advice, represent you with agencies, or guarantee that any program will approve your application.
