How to Apply for Programs & Services

OTDA Home How to Apply for Services

How do I ask for a Fair Hearing?

You can request a Fair Hearing:

Online:
Request a Fair Hearing

By phone:
1-800-342-3334 (Fax:518-473-6735)
New York City emergency Fair Hearings ONLY: 800-205-0110
Hearing Impaired: New York Relay Service at 711.
Please tell the operator to call (877) 502-6155. Service at this number can only be provided to callers using TDD equipment.

In person:
Visit a Fair Hearing office

  • Brooklyn: 14 Boerum Place, First Floor, Brooklyn, NY
  • Albany: 40 North Pearl Street, 15th Floor, Albany, NY

In writing:
New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance
Office of Administrative Hearings
P.O. Box 1930
Albany, NY 12201

Or for Fair Hearing requests concerning clinical managed care you can write to:
New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance
Office of Administrative Hearings
P.O. Box 22023
Albany, NY 12201

For more information, visit the Fair Hearings page.

How do I apply for Child Support Services?

You can apply for Child Support Services:

In person:
Visit a local child support office.

In writing:
Complete the Application (Application/Referral for Child Support Services) and mail it to your local child support office.

Note: Complete and submit only the last 8 pages to your local child support office. The first section is for your reference and contains important information you need to know and understand about child support services.

For more information, visit the Child Support Services website.

How do I apply for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)?

You can apply for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program:

Online:
myBenefits.ny.gov

In person:
Visit your local department of social services or in a SNAP Center.

In writing:
Print and mail or fax the SNAP Application and How to Complete the SNAP Application forms to your local department of social services.

After your application is filed, the local department of social services or SNAP office will review your information, conduct an interview, and determine your household's eligibility for SNAP.

Note: If you qualify for SNAP, you must receive them no later than 30 days from the date the local district received your application.

Authorized Representatives

If you are experiencing a hardship, or are disabled, you may have someone apply for you. Print the person's name, address and phone number on the signature page (page 5) of your Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) application or please fill out and sign the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Authorized Representative Request Form and give the completed form to your worker or SNAP office.

For more information, visit the SNAP page.

How do I apply for Temporary Assistance?

You can apply for Temporary Assistance:

In person:
Visit your local department of social services or Job Center.

In writing:
Print and mail or fax the application form to your local department of social services.

Note: If you have emergency needs you should contact your local department of social services as soon as possible, so you can be interviewed and informed in writing about the decision on your emergency the same day you apply.

For more information, visit the Temporary Assistance page.

How do I apply for the Home Energy Assistance Program?

You can apply for a Regular HEAP Benefit:

Online:
myBenefits.ny.gov

When the HEAP Regular benefit is open you may apply online if your household resides outside of New York City. This application is for a Regular HEAP benefit only.

In person:
When the HEAP Regular benefit is open you may apply in person at your HEAP Local District Contact.

In writing:
When the HEAP Regular benefit is open, print and mail the completed HEAP application:

  • Outside of New York City mail it to your HEAP Local District Contact, or
  • New York City residents can mail it to: NYC DSS/HRA/HEAP, PO Box 1401, Church Street Station, New York, NY 10008

Notes:

For more information, visit the HEAP webpage.

You can apply for a HEAP Emergency benefit:

By Phone:
When the HEAP Emergency benefit is open you may call your HEAP Local District Contact for assistance.

In person:
When the HEAP Emergency benefit is open you may apply in person at your HEAP Local District Contact.

You can apply for a Heating Equipment Repair and Replacement benefit:

In person:
All applicants for Heating Equipment Repair and Replacement benefits must apply in person at your HEAP Local District Contact.

You can apply for a HEAP Cooling Assistance benefit:

By Phone:
When the HEAP Cooling Assistance is open you may call your HEAP Local District Contact and ask them to send you an application.

In person:
When the HEAP Cooling Assistance is open you may apply in person at your HEAP Local District Contact.

You can apply for a HEAP Clean and Tune benefit:

By Phone:
When the HEAP Clean and Tune is open you may call your HEAP Local District Contact and ask them to send you an application.

In person:
When the HEAP Clean and Tune benefit is open you may apply in person at your HEAP Local District Contact.

How do I apply for SSI/Social Security Disability?

You can apply for Social Security Disability Insurance:

Online:
Social Security Administration (SSA) Online Services

By phone:
Call SSA at 1-800-772-1213 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday.

In person:
Visit your local Social Security office. (Call first to make an appointment.)

After you submit your application to the Federal Social Security Administration (SSA) your claim will be sent to the NYS Division of Disability Determinations and a Disability Analyst will review your case and determine whether or not you meet the federal medical guidelines to qualify for Social Security Disability. SSA makes the final determination whether or not you will receive benefits.

For more information, visit the SSI/Social Security Disability Benefits page.

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