Can you get TANF and unemployment benefits at the same time in NYS?
I'm in a really tough spot right now and wondering if I can receive both TANF (cash assistance) and unemployment benefits simultaneously through NYS Department of Labor? I lost my job 6 weeks ago and have been filing my weekly claims, but my UI payments aren't enough to cover rent and groceries for me and my two kids. A friend mentioned I might be eligible for TANF too but I'm worried it might mess up my unemployment claim. Has anyone dealt with this situation before? I don't want to accidentally do something that gets me disqualified from either program.
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Jamal Washington
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.
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Zoe Papadopoulos
AuthorThank you! So basically I won't get the full amount of both programs combined, but I might still get some additional help from TANF after they subtract my UI payments?
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Mei Wong
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.
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Liam Fitzgerald
This is good advice. I did both programs last year and the caseworker actually helped me understand that my job search activities counted for both requirements.
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PixelWarrior
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.
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Amara Adebayo
interesting, never heard of that service before. did it actually work for getting through to NYS Department of Labor?
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PixelWarrior
Yeah it did! I was able to get clarity on my claim status and ask about reporting requirements. Much easier than sitting on hold for hours.
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Giovanni Rossi
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
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Zoe Papadopoulos
AuthorThanks for the warning. I figured it would be more complicated than just the UI claims but I'm willing to deal with the paperwork if it helps my family get by.
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Mei Lin
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.
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