Public Assistance Issues for Teens and Young Adults / Housing Advocacy to Prevent Children from Languishing in Foster Care
June 12, 2010
This presentation will address some of the benefits and assistance available to teenagers, young adults and young families, approximately ages 16-22. Benefit areas covered will include cash assistance, Food Stamps, Medicaid and housing resources for teens and young adults who are living on their own or aging out of foster care. Read More

Food Stamps 101
December 2, 2009
This course will cover the rights of individuals to apply for food stamp benefits; the financial and non-financial eligibility requirements of the program, including a brief summary of immigrant rules; a basic look at the food stamp budgeting methodology, including how to read a food stamp budget, and the food stamp recertification process. Read More

Emergency Assistance 101
December 2, 2009
This course provides an overview of the emergency assistance programs in New York State: Emergency Assistance to Families, Emergency Safety Net Assistance, and Emergency Assistance to Adults. The training reviews the situations that constitute an emergency, and the financial and categorical eligibility requirements for receipt of emergency assistance, and pays special attention to shelter and utility emergencies. Read More

Welfare Work Rules 101
October 29, 2009
Welfare applicants and recipients face a daunting array of work requirements, and risk serious penalties for the slightest infraction or alleged failure to comply. But they also have a range of legal rights of which they are too often unaware, so these rights are inadequately protected. It is therefore critical for applicants, recipients, providers and advocates to know the rules and how to assert these rights. This introductory training provides an overview of the statutes, regulations, and policies governing the implementation of the welfare work rules in New York State. Read More

Public Benefits Advocacy: Practical Skills that Make a Big Difference
October 20, 2008
You know the law of public benefits but how do you actually convince caseworkers, ALJs or judges in court to decide in your client's favor? This video covers persuasion skills and techniques that will give you a better chance of success. Read More

Immigration Status & Public Benefits Eligibility
April 27, 2007
This is a training on immigration status as an eligibility requirement in various federal and state public benefits programs. The main focus of the session will be on the immigrant eligibility rules in means tested benefit programs, specifically the Family and Safety Net Assistance Programs, the Supplemental Security Income program (SSI), Food Stamps and Medicaid. In addition to the program rules, we will cover the immigrant documentation requirements of the benefits agencies and some special issues that arise in the context of immigrant use of benefits programs, including public charge, sponsor liability and reporting. Read More

Public Assistance 101
April 3, 2007
This training, which is geared for those new to welfare work, will provide an overview of the different cash public assistance programs (Family Assistance, Safety Net Assistance, special grants and Emergency Assistance) and the basic eligibility rules of each program. Read More

Work Rules 101
November 20, 2006
This training will begin with an overview of public assistance programs in New York and discuss how advocates can use local employment and child care plans to assist their clients. Read More