What You Need to Know When Applying For Assistance
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When you are applying for help, you will be asked to supply proof of certain things such as those listed below. Your worker will advise you of what you must prove. If you bring proof with you when you first come in, you may be able to get the help you need sooner. |
Note: For FOOD STAMPS, citizenship must be documented only if questionable.
Citizenship or alien status does not need to be proven for pregnant women applying for MEDICAL ASSISTANCE only or for an undocumented alien applying for emergency medical assistance. |
What you may be asked to prove
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Examples of how to prove it
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Who you are |
Photo ID, Driver's License, US Passport |
Age of each applying household member |
Birth or baptismal certificate, hospital records, driver's license |
Where you live |
Current rent receipt, mortgage records statement from non-relative landlord |
Shelter Expenses |
Current rent receipt, current lease, mortgage records, property and school tax records, sewer and water bills, utility bills, telephone bills |
Social Security Numbers |
Social security card or proof that you have applied for Social Security numbers for every one in your household who is applying for assistance |
Citizen or Alien Status |
Birth certificate, US Passport, military service records, naturalization certificate, immigration and naturalization service documentation. SEE NOTE ABOVE. |
Earned Income |
Current pay stubs, tax records, business records, statement from roomer or boarder of amount paid for lodging |
Unearned Income: (Examples of) |
Proof: (Examples of) |
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Child Support |
Statement from person paying support |
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Social Security Benefits |
Current benefit check or award letter |
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Veteran's Benefits |
Current benefit check, current award letter, official correspondence from Veteran's Administration |
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Unemployment Insurance Benefits |
Official correspondence from NY State Department of Labor |
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Interest and Dividends |
Statement from bank, credit union or broker |
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Educational Grants and Loans |
Statement from school or bank current award letter |
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Worker's Compensation |
Current award letter or check stubs |
Resources: (Examples of) |
Proof: (Examples of) |
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Bank Accounts |
Bank books or credit union records |
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Checking Accounts |
Bank statements |
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Burial Trust or Fund |
Bank statement or copy of funeral agreement |
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Burial Plot or Agreement |
Statement from cemetery, funeral director or church of funeral agreement |
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Life Insurance |
Policy (If applying for FOOD STAMPS only, proof of this is not needed |
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Real Estate Other than Where you Live |
Deed, appraisal/estimate of current value by real estate broker |
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Motor Vehicle |
Registration, title, financing information |
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Stocks and Bonds |
Stock certificates, bonds |
School Attendance of those Attending School |
Records, statement from school |
Health Insurance |
Policy, insurance card, statement from provider of coverage, Medicaid card |
Unpaid Rent or Utilities |
Copy of each bill, statement from landlord or utility company |
Paid or Unpaid Medical Bills |
Copy of each bill |
Absent Parent |
Death certificate, survivors benefits, divorce papers, Veteran's assistance or military records. (If applying for FOOD STAMPS only, proof of this is not needed |
Disabled/Incapacitated/Pregnant |
Statement from medical professional, proof of Social Security Disability or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits |
Other Expenses/Dependent Care Expenses |
Cancelled checks or receipts, statement from child care provider, court order, statement from aid or attendant |
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An emergency is an urgent need or a situation that has to be taken care of right away. Some examples of an emergency are: |
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You are Homeless
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You have little or no food |
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Your landlord has told you that you must move or has given you a notice of impending eviction |
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You do not have fuel for heating in the cold weather period
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Your utilities are shut off, about to be shut off or you have a notice of impending shut off
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You or someone in your family has been beaten, abused threatened with violence by a husband, wife, partner or other member of your household
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You have little or no income, few or no resources
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The total of your income and resources are less than the total of your rent or mortgage plus heat, utilities and telephone
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You are a migrant or seasonal worker
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| If you meet any or all of the above specifications contact our office as soon as possible. |
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When you arrive for the first time at Social Services you will be given an interview, ether that day or at another prearranged time, with one of our Screening Examiners. You and the Screener will discuss your current situation, which program you may qualify for and what requirements you will need to meet in order to be eligible. If you choose Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), Food Stamps, Medicaid and/or Daycare, you will be given an application to complete. If you qualify for TANF and are able to work, you may be required to do a job search or meet with a representative of the Department of Labor. This is part of the "Work First" program to help our clients toward complete self-sufficiency. If you are employed you may be eligible for our Support Services programs. The screener may also refer you to other resources in the community, depending on your specific need. The screening area also does same day eligibility interviews for clients with "onetime" emergency / immediate needs. |
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