Temporary Assistance

Temporary Assistance
Temporary Assistance is a financial assistance program that offers temporary help to individuals and families on a short-termed basis until the household is able to achieve self-sufficiency.


Programs

  • Family Assistance (FA) is for families with minor children. It provides cash assistance to eligible families in need that have minor children living with a parent or caretaker. Non-parent caregivers, who are caring for children living in their home without their parent, may be eligible for financial assistance or other supports. Additional information is provided here: Know Your Resources: Nonparent Caregiver Benefits(Pub. 5194). Family Assistance operates under the TANF guidelines with time limits of five years.
  • Safety Net Assistance (SN) is for individuals, childless couples, and families who have met their 60-month time limit. Cash benefits are limited to two-year time limits. After two years, non-cash assistance vouchers are issued. Learn more about ACEs – Understanding Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) by clicking on the following link https://ocfs.ny.gov/programs/cwcs/aces.php.

Special Programs

  • STEHP (Solutions to End Homelessness Program) is an assistance program for security deposits, rental arrears including late fees, utility arrears, application fees and moving expenses. Apply using the Temporary Assistance application (LDSS-2921). Eligibility is based on household category, size and or income at or below the 30% of area median income.
  • SAEF (Shelter Arrears Eviction Forestallment) is an assistance program for rental arrears including late fees so that households may retain permanent housing. Apply using the Temporary Assistance application (LDSS-2921). If not eligible for payment under Temporary Assistance, then must be eligible between 125% and 200% of FPL.
  • Transportation Initiative Program is to assist eligible households who have independently secured a vehicle for employment, but whose vehicle requires repair, inspection, insurance, and registration. Households receiving or eligible to receive TANF will be considered for this program if they are currently employed or have a bona-fide job offer and transportation is necessary to obtain the employment. Non-TA families currently employed and with income under 200% of FPL will also be considered for the program if they are in danger of losing employment due to lack of a vehicle. Non-TA families will need to apply using the TANF Services Application/Certification (LDSS-4726).


Emergency Assistance
Emergency Assistance to Families (EAF) and Emergency Safety Net Assistance (ESNA) provide assistance to families with crisis situations that are threatening the family such as: evictions, utility shut-offs, and diversion payments to prevent the household from applying for ongoing assistance. Some examples of an emergency are: 

  • You are homeless.
  • You have little or no food.
  • Your landlord has given you a written eviction.
  • You do not have fuel for heating during cold weather.
  • Your utilities are shut-off or are about to be shut-off, or you have a 72-hour disconnect notice.
  • You or someone in your family has been beaten, abused or threatened with violence by a husband, wife, partner or other member of the household.


Temporary Assistance Application
To find out if you are eligible to receive Temporary Assistance, including help with an emergency, you need to submit an Application for Certain Benefits and Services (LDSS-2921) to the Jefferson County Department of Social Services. The application can be found here:

You can also check your eligibility for economic supports at: https://mybenefits.ny.gov