Public Assistance Work Requirement

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Cash Assistance clients must participate in work, education, or training programs to get benefits.

The New York City Human Resources Administration (HRA) will refer you to a program based on your individual situation. The staff will help match you to career, education, and/or training opportunities that fit your needs.

Career Services are provided through the following programs:

  • CareerCompass: Works with adult clients to assess their skills and experience, and helps in finding employment, training, or education programs as well as internship and community service opportunities that suit their skills and goals.
  • CareerAdvance: Offers career, education, and training services in specific industries and neighborhoods in New York City, or to groups such as those with limited English proficiency or older adults.
  • YouthPathways: Works with clients ages 18 to 24 to assess their skills and experience; provides career, education, and training services; and helps clients find programs, including internships and community service, tailored to the needs of a younger population.
  • Business Link: Works to match employers with job seekers who have the critical skills needed to fill their employment vacancies. The program hosts several Job Fairs during the year and offers job opening alerts by text message through TXT-2-Work.
  • TXT-2-Work: Business Link service that allows you to sign up to receive text messages about new job openings.

You must keep your CareerCompass, CareerAdvance, YouthPathways, or other mandatory HRA appointments. If you do not go to these appointments, your Cash Assistance benefits may be lowered or stopped. Your SNAP (Food Stamps) benefits may also be lowered or stopped if you do not go to these appointments or if you do not do what the program requires for at least 30 hours each week.

If you cannot make an upcoming appointment, call the telephone number on your appointment letter BEFORE the appointment date to reschedule with the Career Services provider if possible.

Online

Visit HRA's Career Services page.

Learn more about Business Link.

Register to receive job opening alerts through TXT-2-Work or by email.

By Phone

  • Agency: Human Resources Administration
  • Phone Number: (718) 557-1399
  • Business Hours: Monday - Friday: 8 AM - 5 PM
  • Staff is available through the automated phone system during business hours. Automated assistance is also available in Cantonese, Mandarin, Russian, and Spanish. Most languages are available through a staff person.

Cash Assistance applicants who are able to work will get a notice in the mail with the date and location of their first Career Services appointment, or receive a referral from their Job Center.

A Career Services provider will work with you to help you come up with a plan to achieve your goals. You may be connected to other opportunities available to you to satisfy program requirements, which may include:

  • Job Placement
  • Work Study or Internship Programs
  • Community Service
  • Literacy and English as a Second Language programs
  • Skill-based Training Programs

All Cash Assistance applicants and participants are mandated to participate in employment activities unless determined exempt from work rule requirements.

Clients who claim a physical or mental health barrier to employment are referred to the WeCARE (Wellness, Comprehensive Assessment, Rehabilitation, and Employment) program for assessment.

A Career Services provider can help you explore and connect to many free training and education opportunities.

Educational opportunities include:

  • High School Equivalency Programs
  • Certificate Programs
  • Two- and Four-Year College
  • Training Programs

HRA works closely with the City University of New York (CUNY) to provide opportunities to HRA clients.

CUNY Educate Develop Graduate Empower (EDGE) is a joint program designed to help HRA clients enrolled at CUNY schools with academic counseling, support, and employment services so they can succeed in their studies and graduate in a timely manner.

If you are interested in signing up for training or education programs on your own, be sure to check out any program carefully. Look into program costs, especially if the program is asking you to take out a loan, and graduation rates, and make sure you are making a choice that will help you in the future.

HRA cannot pay for tuition or fees for the programs you sign up for on your own.

However, HRA can help you fulfill your requirements so you can continue to receive benefits and help with transportation and child care expenses.

When you sign up for a training or education program on your own, let HRA or your provider know, and someone from HRA’s Education Services team will help you.

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