YOU MAY STILL BE ELIGIBLE!

Many recipients of public assistance may still be eligible for some forms of assistance even after they begin working. It all depends on how much you will be earning. Outlined below are the benefit programs that may be available to you.

Public Assistance Supplement/Earned Income Disregards:
After you get a job, you may still be eligible for a public assistance supplement if: your income is less than 185% of the state standard of need and you received welfare in at least one of the preceding four months. For a family of three, 185% of the standard of need is $1067 per month. This means that a family of three must earn less than $1067 per month to qualify for special "earned income disregards" and a public assistance supplement.

Medicaid:
If your family's public assistance case closes for employment reasons, you can get up to one year of Medicaid coverage through the Work Related Benefits program. If you are a single adult and your case closes, you can apply for non-PA Medicaid.
        • If there are children in the household, call 212-835-7681.
        • If you are single, call 718-291-1900.

Child Health Plus:
If you are not eligible for Medicaid because your earnings are too high, you may still be able to enroll your children ages 0-19 in a health insurance program called Child Health Plus. Child Health Plus covers immunizations, doctors' visits, emergency room visits, lab tests, prescriptions, and more.
      • For information, call 1-800-698-4543.

Family Health Plus:
If you do not qualify for Medicaid, you may still be eligible for Family Health Plus, a new health care program that offers comprehensive health insurance at no cost to low-income, uninsured adults. The program is expected to go into effect on January 1, 2001. Keep your eyes open for more information on the new program (including applications and specific eligibility criteria).

Food Stamps:
You can apply for continued food stamps at a non-public assistance office.
      • If you live in Bushwick, apply for food stamps at 30 Thornton Street
        • If you live in Williamsburg, go to 185 Marcy Avenue.

Transitional Child Care:
You may be reimbursed for part of your child care payments for up to one year. The amount you pay is based on your gross income, family size and whether your children receive full or part-time care. You must complete an application for transitional child care.
      • To receive an application, call 212-835-7681.

ACD Child Care:
You can receive low cost licensed child care through the Agency for Child Development (ACD). ACD provides care at an ACD facility or gives you a voucher for a private one.
      • For more information, call 718-367-5437.

Child Support:
If HRA is currently collecting child support payments on your behalf, you will receive the full amount of these payments (not just the $50.00 per month payments you received while you were on public assistance). Your public assistance case must be closed before you can begin receiving these payments.
      • For more information, call the Office of Child Support Enforcement at 212-226-7125.

Home Energy Assistance Program:
You can get a grant once a year that helps you pay for gas, electric, and oil bills.
      • For more information about HEAP, call 718-291-1900.

Lifeline Telephone Service:
You may be eligible for cheaper telephone service.

• For more information call Bell Atlantic at 1-800-555-5000.

Earned Income Tax Credit:
Depending on your income, you may be eligible for money (a tax credit) from the State and Federal government.

• For more information about the Federal earned income tax credit, call the IRS at 1-800-829-3676.
• For more information about the State earned income tax credit, call the NYS Department of Taxation at 1-800-225-5829.

Child and Dependent Care Credit:
You may be eligible for a special tax benefit offered by the federal and state governments for working people who pay for child or dependent care. Call the numbers sited under the Earned Tax Credit for more information.

Child Tax Credit:
This is a new tax benefit offered by the federal government for taxpayers raising dependent children under the age of 17.
   • For Information, call 1-800-829-3676

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