OTDA’s functions include: Providing temporary cash assistance; providing assistance in paying for food; providing heating assistance; overseeing New York State’s child support enforcement program; determining certain aspects of eligibility for Social Security Disability benefits; supervising homeless housing and services programs; and providing assistance to certain immigrant populations.
OTDA
Programs and Services
- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
- The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) issues monthly benefits that can be used to purchase food at authorized retail food stores. SNAP benefits help low-income working people, senior citizens, the disabled and others feed their families.
- Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP)
- The Low-Income (HEAP) is a federally funded program that assists eligible households in meeting their home energy needs.
- Temporary Assistance (TA)
- TA is temporary help for needy men, women and children. If you are unable to work, can’t find a job, or your job does not pay enough, TA may be able to help you pay for your expenses.
- Child Support Enforcement
- The Division of Child Support Enforcement is the single State agency designated to supervise the administration of the State’s child support enforcement program.
- Housing and Support Services
- OTDA administers an array of programs to address homelessness in New York State. These range from programs to prevent homelessness to the actual construction of housing for homeless persons.
- Shelter Services
- OTDA oversees family and single shelters for the homeless that are operated by local social services districts and not-for-profit organizations.
- Refugee and Immigrant Assistance (BRIA)
- BRIA is the single state entity responsible for the implementation of services to refugees.
- SSI/Social Security Disability Determinations
- The Division of Disability Determinations (DDD) makes medical determinations on disability claims filed with the Social Security Administration’s Disability Insurance and Supplemental Security Income Disability programs.
- New York State Supplement Program (SSP)
- SSP provides state-funded financial assistance to aged, blind and disabled individuals and is part of the monthly benefit paid to most Supplemental Security Income (SSI) recipients.
- Eat Smart New York
- ESNY is free nutrition education available to all Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) participants and those eligible to receive SNAP.
- Employment and Advancement Services
- OTDA supports an array of services to assist Temporary Assistance and SNAP applicants and recipients in securing and retaining employment and achieving self sufficiency.
- Resources for Working Families
- OTDA promotes a number of work supports that you may qualify for if you are employed and having difficulty making ends meet.
- Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC)
- The Federal and State Earned Income Tax Credits are refundable tax benefits for working people with low or moderate incomes.
- Noncustodial Parent New York State Earned Income Tax Credit
- This new initiative address the needs of low-income working noncustodial parents in an attempt to help them become more involved in the economic and social well-being of their children.
- Volunteer Income Tax Assistance
- VITA is a free program to help low- and medium-income workers to have their taxes prepared and electronically filed at no cost.
- How to apply for services
- Information on how to apply for OTDA supported services
- OTDA