Millions of New Yorkers use assistance programs for food, utilities, and legal help—but knowing which programs exist and how to access them makes all the difference. Here’s your practical guide to getting support in 2026.
When you’re managing rent, utilities, groceries, childcare, and everything else that comes with living in New York City, even a good salary can feel stretched thin. For families with lower incomes, the math simply doesn’t work without help.
That’s why assistance programs exist—and why millions of New Yorkers use them. More than 2.9 million New Yorkers receive SNAP (food stamps) each month. About 450,000 infants, children, and pregnant mothers receive nutrition services through WIC. The Home Energy Assistance Program helps low-income New Yorkers heat and cool their homes.
And when legal issues arise—eviction threats, domestic violence, immigration questions, custody battles—free legal aid organizations serve over 100,000 New Yorkers annually.
This guide covers the major financial assistance and legal aid programs available in NYC, who qualifies, and exactly how to access them.
SNAP: Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (Food Stamps)
SNAP is the state’s largest nutrition assistance program, helping more than 2.9 million New Yorkers put food on their table each month. Benefits are provided through an Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card that works like a debit card to purchase food at authorized retail stores and farmers markets.
Eligibility for SNAP
Eligibility is based on household size, income, and other factors. As of October 1, 2025, if your gross income (based on family size) is at or below these amounts, you may be eligible:
- 1 person: $2,266/month
- 2 people: $3,052/month
- 3 people: $3,838/month
- 4 people: $4,624/month
- Each additional person: Add $786/month
Good news: Most households applying for SNAP no longer have to pass a savings/resource test. This means your household’s assets (stocks, savings accounts, retirement accounts) are not considered when determining eligibility.
Maximum Monthly Benefit Amounts
Based on October 2025 standards:
- 1 person: $292
- 2 people: $536
- 3 people: $768
- 4 people: $975
- 5 people: $1,158
- 6 people: $1,390
- Each additional person: Add $232
The minimum benefit for households of one or two people is $24.
Important Changes in 2026
Work requirements for certain able-bodied adults without dependent children (ABAWD) will begin March 1, 2026. If you’ve received a “Work Activity Notice” from HRA, contact them at 800-844-2758 to discuss your options.
Recent federal legislation has also made changes to SNAP that may affect eligibility and benefits. According to the NYC Food Policy Center, these changes are being implemented gradually, with most current recipients affected at their next recertification appointment.
How to Apply for SNAP
You can apply online at myBenefits.ny.gov anytime, or download a printable application to mail or fax to your local department of social services.
Expedited SNAP: If you have little or no money and need help right away, you may qualify for expedited SNAP and receive your initial benefit within five days.
Need help applying? Hunger Solutions New York can help you complete and submit your application for free.
Protect Your Benefits from Scams
EBT scams are common. NYC HRA recommends freezing your EBT card using ebtEDGE when not in use to prevent thieves from stealing your benefits.
WIC: Women, Infants, and Children Nutrition Program
WIC is a free nutrition program for pregnant women, new and breastfeeding mothers, and children under age 5. It provides healthy food, nutrition education, breastfeeding support, and referrals to other services.
Since 2020, NYS WIC participation has grown nearly 25%, now reaching about 66% of the eligible population—approximately 450,000 people statewide.
Who Qualifies for WIC?
You may be eligible if you are:
- Pregnant
- Breastfeeding a baby under 12 months old
- Postpartum (up to 6 months after giving birth)
- An infant or child up to their 5th birthday
- A primary caregiver (including dads, grandparents, foster parents) for a child under 5
Income requirement: The gross income limit for WIC is 185% of the federal poverty level.
Automatic eligibility: If you currently participate in SNAP, Medicaid, TANF, Essential Plan, or Head Start/Early Head Start benefits, you may automatically qualify for WIC without meeting separate income requirements.
What WIC Provides
- eWIC card: Works like a debit card to buy WIC-approved foods at approximately 2,800 authorized retail food vendors statewide
- Nutrition education: Counseling on healthy eating and physical activity
- Breastfeeding support: From trained staff
- Health screenings: Quick check-ups to create a food package that fits your family’s needs
- Referrals: Connections to medical and dental providers, childcare, SNAP, health insurance, and other services
How to Apply for WIC
Start with Wanda, WIC’s online personal assistant. Chat with Wanda on the NYS WIC website to check eligibility and connect to your local WIC office for a phone or in-person appointment.
You can also call the Growing Up Healthy Hotline at 800-522-5006 to schedule an appointment.
What to bring to your appointment:
- Proof of ID (driver’s license, etc.)
- Proof of income (paystub) unless you already receive SNAP, Medicaid, TANF, or Essential Plan
- Proof of where you live (utility bill)
- Medical forms if your child has special dietary needs
In NYC: Public Health Solutions operates Neighborhood WIC with nine centers in Queens, Brooklyn, and the Bronx, serving over 30,000 eligible women and children annually.
Why WIC Matters
Every dollar invested in WIC saves an estimated $2.48 in medical, educational, and productivity costs. WIC participation is associated with healthier births, improved birth weights, reduced risk of infant mortality, better infant-feeding practices, and more nutritious diets.
HEAP: Home Energy Assistance Program
The Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) is a federally funded program that helps low-income homeowners and renters heat and cool their homes. It consists of five components:
1. Regular HEAP Benefit
Status: The 2025-2026 Regular HEAP benefit is now open. Applications will be accepted until funds are exhausted.
What it provides: One regular HEAP benefit per program year to help pay for heating your home. For households that pay directly for heat, benefits are paid directly to the vendor that supplies your primary heat source.
Eligibility:
- A member of your household is a U.S. Citizen or Qualified Non-Citizen
- Your household’s gross monthly income is at or below current income guidelines, OR
- You receive SNAP benefits or other qualifying assistance
2. Emergency HEAP Benefit
Status: Scheduled to open January 2, 2026
What it provides: Emergency assistance if you’re in a heat or heat-related emergency, such as:
- Your electricity necessary for heating is shut-off or scheduled to be shut off
- Your electric or natural gas heat is off or scheduled to be shut-off
- You’re out of fuel or have less than one quarter tank of fuel oil, kerosene, or propane
- You have less than a 10-day supply of wood, wood pellets, corn, or other deliverable heat source
3. Cooling Assistance Benefit
Eligibility:
- You received a Regular HEAP benefit greater than $21 in the current program year
- Your household contains someone with a documented medical condition exacerbated by extreme heat, OR someone who is elderly (60+) or a young child (under 6)
- You currently don’t have a working air conditioner or your air conditioner is five years old or older
- You didn’t receive a HEAP-funded air conditioner within the past five years
4. Heating Equipment Repair and Replacement (HERR)
Status: Opened December 11, 2025
What it provides: Helps eligible homeowners repair or replace furnaces, boilers, and other direct heating equipment. HERR is only given once every ten years.
Benefit amounts:
- Up to $4,000 for a repair
- Up to $8,000 for a replacement
How to Apply for HEAP
Apply online via ACCESS HRA, in person at a HEAP office, or call 718-557-1399.
For more information or to request an application by mail, call the DSS One Number: 718-557-1399
Emergency Rental Assistance: What’s Available Now
The New York State Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) closed in November 2025 after distributing more than $4 billion of rental and utility assistance to tenants in need. While ERAP is no longer accepting new applications, other rental assistance programs remain available.
CityFHEPS: City Fighting Homelessness and Eviction Prevention Supplement
CityFHEPS consolidates previous rental assistance initiatives (LINC, SEPS, CITYFEPS) into a single, streamlined program administered by NYC’s Department of Social Services.
FHEPS: Family Homelessness & Eviction Prevention Supplement
Intended for families with children who receive cash assistance under the Temporary Aid to Needy Families program (TANF) and are facing eviction or have been evicted. Also supports families who have lost housing due to domestic violence or health and safety issues.
Eligibility:
- Your household must be receiving cash assistance
- Include at least one child under 18, or a child who is 18 attending school full-time, or a pregnant individual
FHEPS can supplement your rent to help you secure and maintain stable housing.
For Immediate Help
If you need emergency rental assistance right now, contact your local department of social services. United Way of New York City maintains a directory of shelter and housing resources including emergency assistance programs.
Free Legal Aid Services
NYC has an extensive network of free legal aid organizations serving low-income New Yorkers on civil legal matters including housing, family law, immigration, consumer issues, and more.
Major Legal Aid Organizations
The Legal Aid Society
The largest social justice law firm in New York City, providing free legal representation to low-income New Yorkers on criminal trials, parole, appeals, juvenile justice, child protection cases, and civil issues like housing and immigration. They benefit over 300,000 NYC residents annually through direct representation, affirmative litigation, and policy advocacy.
Legal Services NYC
A citywide force of over 700 staff helping more than 108,000 New Yorkers obtain basic necessities each year including housing, economic security, family and immigration stability, education, and healthcare.
Phone: 917-661-4500 (Monday-Friday, 9:30 AM – 4 PM)
Her Justice
Provides free legal help specifically to women living in poverty in NYC. Most clients are survivors of domestic violence, though this is not a requirement. Services include legal information, advice, referrals, brief services (like drafting petitions), and attorney representation in family law, divorce, and immigration matters.
Note: Her Justice’s Legal Helpline is temporarily closed as they improve their intake process. Check their website for updates and click “Get Help” for free legal information.
New York Legal Assistance Group (NYLAG)
Offers free legal services, financial counseling, and advocacy for individuals and families experiencing poverty. NYLAG’s mobile legal clinic brings free legal support directly into communities, offering immigration advice, housing help, and more.
NYC Family Justice Centers
The NYC Family Justice Centers provide criminal justice, civil legal, and social services in one location for victims/survivors of domestic violence, trafficking, and elder abuse.
Services include:
- Safety planning and risk assessment
- Counseling for victims and their children
- Civil legal assistance on immigration and family court matters
- Meeting with a prosecutor
- Accessing shelter
- Applying for housing and financial assistance
- Filing police reports
- Language interpretation
- Self-sufficiency services including ESOL classes, financial literacy, computer skills classes
Walk-ins welcome: Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Each FJC has a Children’s Room where children ages 3 and up can play in a safe, supervised space while parents receive services.
Additional Resources
LawHelpNY.org
Search for free legal services throughout New York State by legal issue: employment, education, family, health, housing, immigration, LGBTQ+ rights, elder law, and more. Includes a live chat feature to help navigate the site.
Additional Food Resources
Beyond SNAP and WIC, NYC offers additional food assistance:
Summer EBT
Provides EBT cards to help afford healthy food for children when schools are on break. Learn about and apply for Summer EBT through the State of New York website.
Food Pantries
Feeding New York State works with ten regional food banks and nearly 3,000 community-based organizations to support the 3 million New Yorkers experiencing hunger and food insecurity.
Find your nearest food pantry: Visit the Feeding NYS Food Pantry Locator.
School Meals
Despite recent state investments to expand no-cost school meals, approximately 280,000 students are still excluded. Feeding New York State advocates for establishing free school meals for all New York kids.
Understanding Your Rights
When accessing benefits:
Your rights include:
- Respectful treatment
- Privacy and confidentiality
- Access to benefits regardless of immigration status (for many programs)
- Services in your language
- The right to appeal denials
Your responsibilities include:
- Providing accurate information
- Reporting changes in your circumstances (income, household size, address)
- Attending required appointments
- Using benefits only for eligible purchases or purposes
If Your Benefits Are Denied
If you believe you’re eligible for a program but your application is denied:
- Request a written explanation of the denial
- Review the denial notice carefully—it should explain why and how to appeal
- Follow the appeals process within the timeframe specified (usually 30-60 days)
- Consider contacting a legal aid organization for help with your appeal
- Gather documentation that supports your eligibility
Combining Resources for Maximum Impact
Many families qualify for multiple programs simultaneously. For example:
A pregnant woman with one young child might qualify for:
- WIC (for herself during pregnancy/postpartum and for the child under 5)
- SNAP (for the household to purchase food)
- Medicaid (for health insurance)
- HEAP (for heating assistance)
- Childcare subsidies (covered in our other resources guide)
A single mother facing eviction might need:
- Emergency rental assistance (CityFHEPS or FHEPS)
- SNAP for food
- Legal aid for housing court representation
- Family Justice Center services if domestic violence is involved
Don’t hesitate to apply for every program you might qualify for. These programs exist to be used together to provide comprehensive support.
Common Barriers and How to Overcome Them
Language barriers: Most programs offer services in multiple languages. WIC materials are available in 22 languages. SNAP and HEAP applications can be completed with interpretation assistance. Legal aid organizations offer multilingual services.
Digital access: While many applications are online, you can also apply by phone, mail, or in-person. Libraries offer free computer and internet access if needed.
Immigration concerns: Many programs do not require U.S. citizenship. WIC explicitly states you do not need to be a U.S. citizen—you just need to be a New York State resident. SNAP, HEAP, and emergency rental assistance are available to qualified non-citizens. Legal aid organizations, particularly those specializing in immigration law, understand these concerns and can advise you.
Stigma: Using assistance programs is not something to be ashamed of. These programs exist because our society recognizes that systemic barriers and economic realities mean that hard-working people sometimes need support. Millions of New Yorkers use these programs.
Application complexity: Many community organizations offer free application assistance. Hunger Solutions New York helps with SNAP applications. WIC offices walk you through the process. Legal aid organizations can help with benefit appeals.
Staying Informed About Changes
Benefit programs change regularly—income limits adjust, new programs launch, eligibility rules shift. Stay informed:
- Sign up for email updates from Hunger Solutions New York
- Follow NYC HRA for updates on SNAP, HEAP, and emergency assistance
- Check NYS WIC for nutrition program updates
- Monitor Feeding New York State for advocacy updates affecting food programs
The Bigger Picture: Why These Programs Matter
These aren’t just individual assistance programs—they’re investments in community health and stability.
When families have consistent access to nutritious food through SNAP and WIC, children perform better in school and adults maintain better health. When homes stay warm in winter through HEAP, health outcomes improve and emergency room visits decrease. When people have legal representation in housing court, they’re more likely to keep their homes. When domestic violence survivors can access comprehensive services at Family Justice Centers, cycles of violence are interrupted.
These programs keep New York families afloat during difficult times and provide pathways to greater stability. The question isn’t whether to use them when you qualify—it’s ensuring you know they exist and how to access them.
Need assistance? Apply for SNAP at myBenefits.ny.gov. Connect with WIC through Wanda, the online assistant. Apply for HEAP through ACCESS HRA. Find free legal help at LawHelpNY.org. Learn more about navigating NYC, career resources, and financial planning at WMN Magazine.
