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Chafee Funds Program - Beyond:
The Chafee Funds Program - Beyond (CFP-B) of New York State through the Office of Children and Family Services offers limited financial awards to eligible youth who are currently or were in foster care. Funds for this program are awarded from $500 to $2,000.
To qualify for the Chafee Funds Program - Beyond (CFP-B) of New York State, as of the date of application submission applicants must:
- Be at least 18 years old, but have not reached their 23rd birthday AND meet one of these requirements:
Currently in New York State Foster Care - Applicants must
- Be 21 or 22 years old
No Longer in New York State Foster Care - Applicants must
- Be 18 through 22 years old AND
- Have been discharged from foster care in New York State on or after the age of 18
All of the relevant criteria above must be met in order for an applicant to qualify for CFP-B. Applicants are required to provide acceptable proof of identity to qualify for this program. For more information or to apply please go to https://chafeeny.smapply.org/
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Head Start & Early Head Start Eligibility
Children with families receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits are eligible for free Head Start or Early Head Start services.
Head Start and Early Head Start programs deliver free, comprehensive services to children ages birth to 5 and their families.
in core areas of learning, health, nutrition, and family well-being. For more information on Head Start programs, please visit https://eclkc.ohs.acf.hhs.gov/programs/article/head-start-programs.
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Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT) food benefits
New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA) has begun to issue Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT) food benefits for the 2022-23 school year and summer 2023 period to eligible children. To be eligible, students must have attended a school that participates in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP), been certified as eligible to receive Free/Reduced Price Lunch (FRPL) and had a reduction in in-person attendance during the 2022-23 school year due to COVID-19.
"P-EBT food benefits are issued directly by OTDA. Social services districts have no role in the administration or issuance of P-EBT food benefits.
Household Notification of Benefit Issuance:
All households with a valid mobile phone number on file and those who have not previously opted out, will receive a text message when P-EBT food benefits have been issued to their EBT account. Text messages may include a link to an OTDA webpage with specific information about their benefit issuance, or to the general P-EBT Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page, where clients can locate the P-EBT helpline phone number and submit questions in writing, should further assistance be needed. All official agency text messages are sent from the OTDA text message short code 696832.
P-EBT Helpline and Assistance:
Families with questions can be directed to the P-EBT Helpline at 1-833-452-0096 or submit a question through the P-EBT information form at https://otda.ny.gov/PEBT-Info.
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SNAP (previously called Food Stamps) is an income based program and is intended to supplement the food budget of eligible households. Applications for SNAP can be made online at www.mybenefits.ny.gov or at our office on the computers located in our lobby.
In light of possible types of scamming, be aware that OTDA will never ask for a SNAP card number or PIN. Clients should never give their card number or PIN to anyone who attempts to solicit it.
For information on pop up food pantries, visit https://foodlinkny.org/program/pop-up-pantries/.
Public Assistance (PA) is an income based program that covers families and single adults with ongoing and/or emergency assistance. Applications for PA can be made online at www.mybenefits.ny.gov or at our office on the computers located in our lobby.
Medicaid is the umbrella that supplies the financial source for many variations in medical assistance. Community Medicaid is provided mainly through Managed Care plans. Applications for Medicaid can be made online at nystateofhealth.ny.gov or at our office on the computers located in our lobby
Day Care provides for reimbursement of Day Care expenses to Day Care Centers, Registered Providers, and approved Legally-Exempt Day Care Providers on behalf of those determined eligible for this subsidy. Applications for Day Care can be made online at www.mybenefits.ny.gov or at our office on the computers located in our lobby.
Applications for HEAP can be made online at www.mybenefits.ny.gov or at our office on the computers located in our lobby.
DSS participates in NYDocSubmit, a Mobile Document Upload Application that allows you to take pictures of required documents for Temporary Assistance (TA), Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) and Medicaid (MA) and submit them directly to our office.
- Applications
- Documents that contain HIV information.
- Domestic Violence information.
- Address that must remain confidential to safeguard any member of an applicant's or recipient's household.
Many questions can be answered or needs met over the phone or online. Some benefits have income eligibility requirements and you will receive guidance on applying.