Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance

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