Can you get TANF and unemployment benefits at the same time in NYS?

Yes, you can receive both TANF and unemployment benefits in New York, but there are some important coordination rules you need to know. The TANF program will count your UI benefits as income when determining your cash assistance amount, so your TANF payment will be reduced dollar-for-dollar by what you receive from unemployment. You need to report your UI payments to your local Department of Social Services office immediately when you apply for TANF and continue reporting them on your monthly reviews.

Make sure you keep filing your weekly claims with NYS Department of Labor even after you apply for TANF. Some people think they have to choose one or the other but that's not true. The key is being completely honest about all your income sources on both applications. Also, TANF has work requirements that might actually help you meet the job search requirements for unemployment - you can often use the same job search activities for both programs.

I had trouble getting through to someone at the local DSS office to apply for TANF - kept getting busy signals and when I finally got through they said I needed an appointment that was 3 weeks out. If you're having similar issues reaching them, I used claimyr.com to help me get connected to someone at NYS Department of Labor when I had questions about my UI claim. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI that shows how it works. Might be worth checking out if you need to talk to someone about how the programs interact.

just a heads up that if you get TANF they're gonna want to know EVERYTHING about your finances and living situation. like way more invasive than the unemployment stuff. but if you need the help you need the help, just be prepared for lots of paperwork and appointments

One thing to keep in mind is that TANF also comes with other benefits that might help stretch your budget further - like SNAP (food stamps) and Medicaid if you're not already getting them. When I applied for TANF, they automatically screened me for other programs too. The food assistance really helped reduce my grocery bills while I was getting back on my feet. Also, some TANF offices have emergency assistance programs for things like rent or utilities if you're facing eviction or shutoffs. Definitely ask about all available resources when you go in for your appointment.

@Zoe Papadopoulos I went through this exact situation about 8 months ago with my 3 kids. You absolutely can get both, but like others mentioned, they'll reduce your TANF by whatever you get from UI. In my case, I was getting $405/week from unemployment and my TANF ended up being around $200/month after the offset - but every little bit helps when you're struggling. The application process for TANF was honestly a pain (lots of documents, interviews, etc.) but the caseworker was pretty understanding about my situation. Also make sure to ask about the emergency rental assistance when you apply - I got help with two months of back rent through their emergency program which was a lifesaver. Hang in there, it does get better!

I'm currently navigating this same situation and wanted to add that timing can be really important. When I applied for TANF, they asked for my most recent unemployment payment stubs, so make sure you have those ready along with your initial UI determination letter. One thing that caught me off guard was that they also wanted to see my job search log - apparently they cross-reference with the DOL requirements to make sure you're meeting both programs' work search obligations. Also, if you're already receiving any emergency food assistance or utilities help from other organizations, you'll need to report that too. The whole process took about 6 weeks from application to first payment, so don't wait if you're already struggling. The sooner you get in the system, the sooner you can get help. And definitely ask about childcare assistance if you need it for job interviews - that's another benefit that can help while you're job searching.