Can I get cash aid and unemployment benefits at the same time in NY?
I just lost my job last week and I'm really struggling financially. I have two kids and my rent is due next week. I know I can file for unemployment with NYS Department of Labor but I'm wondering if I can also apply for cash assistance through social services at the same time? Will getting cash aid affect my unemployment benefits or vice versa? I really need both right now but don't want to mess up either application by doing something wrong.
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Amina Toure
Yes, you can receive both unemployment insurance and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) cash aid simultaneously in New York. These are different programs with different eligibility requirements. Your unemployment benefits from NYS Department of Labor won't automatically disqualify you from cash assistance, but the cash aid amount might be reduced based on your UI payments. Make sure to report your unemployment income when applying for TANF.
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Paolo Esposito
•Thank you! Do I need to report the cash aid to NYS Department of Labor when I file my weekly claims?
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Amina Toure
•You don't need to report TANF cash assistance as income on your weekly unemployment claims since it's not earned income from work. But always be honest about any other income you receive.
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Oliver Weber
I was in a similar situation last year. Applied for both at the same time and had no issues. The key is being upfront about everything. When you apply for cash aid at your local social services office, tell them you're also receiving unemployment. They'll calculate your TANF payment accordingly. Also make sure you're meeting the job search requirements for your unemployment - that's usually 3 job contacts per week in NY.
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FireflyDreams
•Wait I thought it was 2 job contacts per week? I've been doing 2 this whole time...
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Oliver Weber
•It's 3 for most people but check your individual requirements on the NYS Department of Labor website. Some people have different requirements based on their situation.
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Natasha Kuznetsova
just apply for both asap!! the system is so slow you need to get everything started now. i waited too long thinking i had to choose one or the other and ended up behind on everything
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Javier Morales
I had trouble reaching anyone at NYS Department of Labor to ask questions about my claim when I was dealing with this. If you run into the same issue trying to get through their phone lines, I used this service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that actually got me connected to a real person. They have a video showing how it works at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI. Really helped when I needed to verify some details about my benefits before applying for other assistance.
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Paolo Esposito
•That's interesting, I'll keep that in mind if I can't get through. The phone lines are always so busy.
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Emma Anderson
Been getting both for 6 months now. No problems at all. Just make sure you keep up with all the paperwork and requirements for both programs. TANF has some additional requirements like work activities that you'll need to follow along with your unemployment job search.
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Gael Robinson
I went through this exact situation about 8 months ago with two kids as well. You absolutely can and should apply for both! Don't wait - the processing times can be weeks for both programs. For TANF cash assistance, you'll need to go to your local Department of Social Services office with documents like proof of income loss, rent/utility bills, and ID for you and the kids. They'll do an interview and calculate your benefits based on your household size and any other income including unemployment. The unemployment office doesn't need to know about TANF, but social services needs to know about your UI benefits. Also look into SNAP (food stamps) and emergency rental assistance programs - there are resources specifically for people in your situation. Hang in there, it gets better!
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Lena Müller
•This is really helpful advice! Just to add - when you go to the Department of Social Services, also ask about emergency assistance programs. Some counties in NY have one-time emergency payments that can help with immediate needs like rent while you're waiting for your regular TANF benefits to start. Also, if you haven't already, make sure to apply for your unemployment benefits online at labor.ny.gov as soon as possible since there's usually a waiting week before payments begin.
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Sienna Gomez
I'm going through something similar right now and wanted to share what I learned from my caseworker. When you apply for TANF, bring documentation of your job loss (like a layoff notice or termination letter) along with your unemployment claim confirmation. This helps speed up the process since they can see you're actively seeking benefits from both programs legitimately. Also, some local DSS offices have emergency food pantries or vouchers available while you're waiting for SNAP approval - definitely ask about those resources too since grocery money can be tight while waiting for everything to process. The whole system feels overwhelming at first but having both safety nets really does help when you have kids depending on you.
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Brian Downey
•This is such great practical advice! I'm just starting this process myself and feeling pretty overwhelmed trying to figure out all the different programs and requirements. It's really reassuring to hear from people who've actually been through it successfully. Quick question - do you know roughly how long it took for your TANF benefits to actually start once you submitted everything? I'm trying to figure out if I need to look into emergency assistance too while I wait.
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