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09-18-09
Editor's Note
We have compiled a long list of precious resources
to help working Westchester families make ends meet
NY State offers many resources to help working families make
ends meet. We have compiled a one stop shop for finding
those services, with links to information about nutrition
programs, tax filing assistance, job placement services, and
more. I encourage all Westchester residents to review these
pages and learn about the programs that New York State has
to offer.
Follow
the links below to see program descriptions, eligibility
requirements, benefits, and how to apply:
·
myBenefits - Find
out about a number of work support programs that you may be
eligible for by quickly entering some basic information
about you and your family.
·
Food Stamps - The
Food Stamp Program issues monthly benefits redeemable at
authorized retail food stores.
·
Nutrition Programs
- Information on how to participate in the School Breakfast
and Lunch Programs, Women, Infants and Child program, Food
Banks in New York State, and New York States Hunger
Prevention and Nutrition Assistance Program.
·
Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP)
- HEAP is a federally funded program that assists eligible
households in meeting their home energy needs.
·
Weatherization Assistance Program
- The Weatherization Assistance Program assists
income-eligible families and individuals by reducing their
heating/cooling costs and improving the safety of their
homes through energy-efficiency measures.
·
Child Support Program
- The Child Support program helps strengthen families by
placing the responsibility for supporting children on those
parents with the financial resources to provide such
support. The program assists custodial parents in
establishing paternity, and obtaining, modifying and
enforcing financial and medical support obligations.
·
Child Care Subsidies
- New York State offers
many resources including subsidies to low-income families to
make safe, quality child care accessible and affordable.
·
Tax Credits -
Information on the following tax credit programs: Earned
Income Tax Credits, Earned Income Credits Advance Payment,
New York State Noncustodial Parent Earned Income Tax Credit,
Child Tax Credits and Child and Dependent Care Tax Credits.
·
Free Tax Preparation and Volunteer Income Tax
Assistance (VITA) Sites -
VITA is a free, IRS-sponsored program to help low-
and middle-income workers have their taxes prepared and
filed electronically at no cost. VITA also ensures that
workers receive all the tax credits to which they are
entitled.
·
Health Programs -
New York State Health insurance programs: Medicaid, Child
Health Plus, Family Health Plus and
Healthy NY.
·
NYC Residents - Find out if you are eligible for
benefits? - ACCESS NYC, a
free service that identifies and screens for over 30
New York City, State, and
Federal human service benefit programs. You may use this
service anonymously or you have the option to create an
account.
·
Job Placement Services
- In New York State, the
Food Stamp Employment and Training Program provides
employment and training services for recipients of Food
Stamp Benefits to help them toward self-sufficiency.
·
Social Security Disability Insurance and
Supplemental Security Income Programs
- The Social Security Disability Insurance and Supplemental
Security Income programs provide assistance to people with
disabilities. While these two programs are different in many
ways, only individuals who have a disability and meet
medical criteria may qualify for benefits under either
program.
·
Unemployment Benefits
- Unemployment insurance is temporary income for eligible
workers who become unemployed through no fault of their own
and who are ready, willing, able to work and have sufficient
work and wages in covered employment.
·
Housing - Find
affordable housing; avoid foreclosure, and more helpful
tips.
·
Banking Resources
- New York State’s
Banking Department provides information for those in danger
of losing their homes, assists consumers in settling claims
and filing complaints against entities regulated by the
department, and has a wealth of general consumer information
for those in economic distress.
·
Federal Student Loans
- New York State’s
Higher Education Services has options available should you
face problems in paying back your federal student loans.
·
Head Start and Early Head Start
– Head Start and Early Head Start are comprehensive child
development programs. Head Start serves children ages
3 to 5 and their families.
Early Head Start serves pregnant women and their families
and children birth to age 3 and their families.
·
Veteran’s Benefits
- If you ever served in the United States Armed Forces you
are a veteran and you may be eligible for benefits.
·
Refugee and Immigrant Assistance
- Services and assistance to certain immigrant populations,
including refugees, asylees, victims of human trafficking
and other immigrants.
·
Temporary Assistance
- 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, temporary assistance may be able to help you pay
for your expenses.
·
Financial Education
– Information to assist you with credit usage and
counseling, debt collection and mediation and how to open a
bank account.
·
Consumer Protection Information
– New York State’s
Consumer Protection Board (CPB) offers consumer protection
information on, filing a consumer complaint, energy service
companies, home heating, prevention and assistance with
identity theft and much more.
·
Affordable Wireless Services
– Lifeline Assistance is a program created by the federal
government to help provide discounted or free telephone
service to income-eligible consumers.
·
Local Departments of Social Services
- A listing of Local Departments of Social Services by
County
Good luck
to you all,
Joe Parisi,
Editor
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