Millions of New Yorkers eligible for cash payments

New York is expanding its reach into programs that offer residents unconditional cash payments. Some research indicates that these types of initiatives can help alleviate income volatility and stress, but more studies are needed.

The Child Center of New York provides program participants with monthly cash grants to purchase essential items and stretch their budgets so they can consider long-term goals. One participant says the money changed his life.

Eligibility

New York state officials have begun distributing cash payments to low-income residents who lost income during the COVID-19 pandemic. The payments are designed to help them cover basic needs such as rent, utilities and food. Immigrant rights groups pushed for funds, and a group of undocumented workers even went on hunger strike to demand help.

The state Office of Temporary Assistance and Disability administers a fund that has been established with federal funding for the pandemic. The money will be distributed in the form of one-off payments to families on public assistance who have a child under the age of 3 in their household. OTDA will also issue payments to households receiving Public Assistance and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits with an older adult living in the household.

The state is also deploying an Excluded Worker Fund to make one-time payments of up to $15,600 to people who lost income during the pandemic and cannot claim unemployment benefits because of their immigration status. New York has already committed a total of $2.1 billion to the fund, which includes one-time payments.

requirements

The state created a $2.1 billion fund to give one-time payments to people who lost their jobs during the coronavirus pandemic. Applicants must meet several requirements, including the ability to demonstrate that they worked during the pandemic and that their wages were reduced as a result.

Most income, including wages and Social Security benefits, is counted when you apply for Medicaid. However, alimony payments, pensions, IRA distributions, and Holocaust restitution payments are not. In addition, there is a 60-month Medicaid review period that immediately precedes the institutional (nursing home) Medicaid application. This period prevents people from transferring assets to avoid the start of a disqualification penalty period.

Also, if you are applying for Medicaid or Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits, you must be a US citizen or permanent resident or be the caregiver of a child who meets these criteria. You must also own and occupy a single-family or multi-family home that is not rented, or owned by a trust or business entity, or a second/vacation home.

time limits

New York residents can receive cash assistance (CA) if they have a low income and meet other requirements. The CA program helps families, single adults and seniors. To apply for CA, call 311. The program is administered by the Human Resources Administration (HRA) in New York City and local social service districts throughout the state.

Some businesses in New York have stopped accepting cash payments, which is why the city recently passed a law banning them from refusing cash. The law, sponsored by Bronx Councilman Ritchie Torres, protects people’s choice of payment methods and helps the city’s unbanked, elderly and vulnerable residents.

The law will require companies to accept cash payments of up to $1,000 and fine them $1,500 if they don’t comply. The law will also protect pregnant women, the elderly and other vulnerable groups from discrimination. Medical coverage from one of New York State’s public health insurance programs is another requirement.

Resources

There are some programs that offer cash to low-income New Yorkers. One, the Child Center of New York’s Bridge Project, launched last spring and offers participants a monthly check of up to $1,000 for 36 months. Another, Creatives Rebuild New York, offers artists in the state $1,000 a month for 18 months. Both are supported by private funding and operate in partnership with other non-profit organizations.

Other resources include ACCESS NYC, which helps people determine if they qualify for more than 30 city, state and federal benefits, and EmpoweredNYC, which helps residents with disabilities take control of their finances and become more financially stable . In addition, the state’s new Pandemic Emergency Assistance Fund will provide money to families in the Public Assistance and Supplemental Nutrition Program to cover costs related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

But the impact of cash assistance and guaranteed income programs is not yet fully understood, Balakrishnan said. “The more hoops you need someone to jump through, the less accessible these types of programs are,” he added.