Public Benefits

This was a live recorded presentation presented in collaboration with Legal Assistance of Western New York, Inc., Action for a Better Community, Rochester-Monroe Anti-Poverty Initiative, CASH at Empire Justice Center, and The Legal Aid Society of

Para ver este artículo en español por favor visite aquí.

When Can I Request a Fair Hearing?

If you have an emergency and cannot afford to solve the problem, your local Department of Social Services (DSS) may be able to help. You DO NOT need to be eligible for public assistance to get emergency assistance.

Do I have to participate in Public Assistance work activities or a Work Experience Program (WEP)? 

What is a lien? A lien is a claim against property that FKmay be used to repay a debt.  If you sell property that has a lien against it, the lien must be repaid before you get any money from the sale.

Note: The genders used below are for simplicity in most of the article. For example, if you are a father caring for a child under 21 and you apply for Public Assistance, you may also have to go through the requirements below.

Para ver este artículo en español por favor visite aquí. (To view this article in Spanish,

What can I do if I get a fair hearing decision that I disagree with?

If your local Department of Social Services (DSS) believes that you may have a problem with drug and or alcohol abuse, they can refer you for an evaluation. Depending on the county you live in, either someone from DSS may do your evaluation o