New York Resources

• Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society (HIAS)
• Catholic Charities of Onondaga County (CCOC)
• International Rescue Committee (IRC)
• Hearts and Homes for Refugees
• Welcome NST
• Homes for Refugees USA

• Medical Screening

The refugee medical screening is an initial medical screening and immunizations check-up for newly arriving refugees and other eligible persons within 90 days of their date of arrival or date of immigration status granted.

• Medicaid

Medicaid (RMA) can be applied for in NYS either by going to the websites linked below, or in-person at the local Department of Social Services (LDSS) office (outside of NYC) or the local Human Resources Administration (HRA) offices (within NYC).

Upstate:

• • Apply online for Medicaid only
  • Apply online for both Public Assistance and Medicaid
  • To Apply in-person for Medicaid, apply at your local Department of Social Services (DSS) office for the County you reside in.  Here is the list of County DSS offices.

NYC:

• • Apply online for Medicaid only
  • Apply online for both Public Assistance and Medicaid
  • To apply in-person for Medicaid, apply at your local Human Resources Administration (HRA) office.  Here is a link to HRA office locations.

Apply for Medicaid only

• Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services

Here is information available for those who are deaf or hard of hearing.

In NYS

In NYC

• State Services for the Blind

The mission of the New York State Commission for the Blind is to enhance employability, maximize independence, and assist in the development of the capacities and strengths of people who are legally blind.

For more information or to find a local District Office, please call 1-866-871-3000

Email the District Office nearest to you

• Services to Older Refugees Program (SORP)

SORP provides social and supportive services that assist older refugees aged 60 and older in gaining access to mainstream services within their respective communities so that they may live independently for as long as possible.

• Medicare

Medicare is health insurance for people 65 or older. You’re first eligible to sign up for Medicare three months before you turn 65.

Phone: 1-800-633-4227

• NY Connects

NY Connects is a trusted place to go for free, unbiased information about long-term services and supports in New York State for people of all ages or with any type of disability.

Phone: 1-800-342-9871

• Social Security

The Social Security program in the United States provides protection against the loss of earnings due to retirement, death, or disability.

• Office for People with Developmental Disabilities (POWDD)

Offers a wide variety of support and service options for both family members and individuals with disabilities

• NY Connects

NY Connects is a trusted place to go for free, unbiased information about long-term services and supports in New York State for people of all ages or with any type of disability.

Phone: 1-800-342-9871

• Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS)

The Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) offers a variety of services such as Child Abuse Prevention, Adoption/Foster Care Services, and maintains a directory of Child Care services available.

• OCFS Youth and Young Adult Services

The Office of Youth and Young Adult Services supports and funds programs and initiatives that enable youth to build on their strengths and provides for youths to gain important life skills and core competencies.

• NY Office of Mental Health

New York State has a large, multi-faceted mental health system that serves more than 700,000 individuals each year. The Office of Mental Health (OMH) operates psychiatric centers across the state. OMH also regulates, certifies and oversees more than 4,500 programs, operated by local governments and nonprofit agencies.

For questions about mental health services, to find a mental health service provider or to make a complaint, call OMH Customer Relations toll-free at 1-800-597-8481.

• Public assistance (RCA)

• • Public Assistance (including cash and food assistance) can be applied for in NYS either by going to the websites linked below, or in-person at the local Department of Social Services (LDSS) office (outside of NYC) or the local Human Resources Administration (HRA) offices (within NYC).

• Upstate:
  • Apply online for Public Assistance
  • To Apply in-person for Public Assistance, apply at your local Department of Social Services (DSS) office for the County you reside in.  Here is a list of County DSS offices.

• NYC:
  • • Apply online for Public Assistance
    • To apply in-person for Public Assistance, apply at your local Human Resources Administration (HRA) office.  Here is a link to HRA office locations.

• Women, Infants and Children (WIC)

WIC is a program offering supplemental foods, health care referrals, and nutrition information to low-income women who are pregnant or have children aged birth to five. The program can only be applied for in-person. You can either go to the website directory and locate the nearest WIC provider, or you can call the “Growing Up Healthy Hotline” at 1-800-522-5006 to locate the nearest WIC provider.

• Matching Grant

A federal program supporting participants to attain self-sufficiency within 240 days (eight months) of arrival in the United States through financial, case management, and employment support.

Matching Grant is provided by Local Resettlement Agencies (LRA), and you will need to contact your nearest LRA to see if they have availability.

• Supplemental Security Income (SSI)

A program that provides monthly payments to adults and children with a disability or blindness who have income and resources below specific financial limits. SSI payments are also made to people aged 65 and older without disabilities who meet the financial qualifications.

• NY Housing Search

A free service to list and find affordable, accessible homes across New York state.

Call 1-877-428-8844

• Low-Income Energy Assistance Program

The Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) can help eligible New Yorkers heat and cool their homes.

• United Way – Renters Help

Helps residents maintain housing stability

Call 211 (24/7) to speak to a Community Resource Specialist

• Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP)

LIHWAP helps low-income households pay the cost of water and sewer services. The program can assist households who have past due bills (arrears) for water and/or sewer services.

• U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Housing Counseling

Authorized under the Housing Act of 1937, HUD provides low-income, elderly and disabled individuals with safe and sanitary housing. HUD sponsors housing counseling agencies throughout the country to provide free or low-cost advice.

Call 800-569-4287

• HUD Continuum of Care

Use this link to find point of contact information for HUD’s grantees.

• NY Tenants’ Rights

A Guide to Residential Renter’s Rights and Protections Under New York State Law

If you are currently homeless or at-risk of homelessness outside of NYC, please contact your Local Department of Social Services (LDSS) or call the OTDA hotline to find your nearest LDSS at 1-800-342-3009.

If you are located in New York City, please call 311 or visit the NYC Department of Homeless Services (DHS) website where there is information on intake centers, prevention programs, and more.

• Cultural Orientation Resource Exchange (CORE)

The Cultural Orientation Resource Exchange (CORE) connects and supports refugee resettlement staff globally to deliver effective Cultural Orientation to help refugees achieve self-sufficiency in the United States.

• NYS Office for New Americans

Through its statewide network of community-based providers, ONA assists all new Americans in accessing and navigating a variety of free services and supports their inclusion as an integral part of New York State’s diverse cultural fabric.

Call 1-800-566-7636

• Switchboard

Switchboard provides tools, learning opportunities, research, and technical assistance covering a range of topics related to the newcomer experience.

• NYS Department of Labor

Find information and services for unemployment insurance, wage rates, licenses, permits, and more from the NYS Department of Labor, the state agency that oversees labor laws and programs in NYS.

• Local Department of Social Services (LDSS)

In all upstate localities, the Local Department of Social Services (LDSS) office can provide Employment Services.

• Human Resources Administration

In NYC, the Human Resources Administration (HRA) can provide employment services.

• Matching Grant

The Matching Grant program helps refugees and other ORR-eligible populations overcome barriers and quickly find jobs. The intent is for refugees to become economically self-sufficient through employment within 240 days and without accessing cash assistance programs.

Matching Grant is provided by Local Resettlement Agencies (LRA), and you will need to contact your nearest LRA to see if they have availability.

• Driver and Vehicle Services

Information and resources about obtaining a driver’s license or state ID

NYC ID

NYS ID

NYS Driver’s License

• Social Security Administration (SSA) Directory

Provides Social Security Numbers and administers retirement, disability, survivor, and family benefits, and enrolls individuals in Medicare

• New Americans Hotline

Through its statewide network of community-based providers, ONA assists all new Americans in accessing and navigating a variety of free services and supports their inclusion as an integral part of New York State’s diverse cultural fabric.

Call 1-800-566-7636

• Cell-Ed (NY Department of State)

Free English courses on mobile devices

• Office for Children and Family Services

The NYS Office for Children and Family Services maintains a directory of childcare services.

• New York Child Support Services

The Child Support Program provides custodial parents with assistance in obtaining financial support and medical insurance coverage for their children by locating parents, establishing parentage, establishing or modifying support orders, and collecting and distributing child support payments.

• Head Start

Head Start programs offer safe, positive learning environments for children aged three to four to learn, to play, and build the skills that get them ready for kindergarten and beyond.

• NYS Education Department

The New York State Education Department’s mission is to raise the knowledge, skill, and opportunity of all the people in New York.

List of school districts

• NYS Office for New Americans

Through its statewide network of community-based providers, ONA assists all new Americans in accessing and navigating a variety of free services and supports their inclusion as an integral part of New York State’s diverse cultural fabric.

• Fraud

Report cases of fraud to Welcome Corps (for example, individuals asking for money in exchange for becoming a private sponsor or to assist in submitting an application)

• NYS Response to Human Trafficking Program (RHTP)

RHTP is a New York State-funded program which supports service providers throughout the state to provide case management and services to confirmed victims of trafficking.

• Adult Protective Services (APS)

APS workers develop services plans for eligible clients to remedy physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, neglect, financial exploitation, or to address unmet, essential needs of adults.

• Child Protective Services (CPS)

CPS is required to investigate child abuse and maltreatment reports, to protect children (anyone under 18 years old) from further abuse or maltreatment, and to provide rehabilitative services to children, parents, and other family members involved.