Temporary and Disability Assistance, Office of

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Agency Web Site: https://otda.ny.gov/Link to External Website

Mission

The Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA), working in close collaboration with the Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) and other agencies, helps low-income households achieve economic self-sufficiency through work, job training and the provision of supportive services that help avert dependency on public assistance. OTDA also provides economic assistance to aged and disabled persons who are unable to work.

Organization and Staffing

OTDA’s central office is in Albany and has several field offices statewide. These offices provide direct operational support, supervision, and guidance to the State’s 58 local social services districts, which include each county and New York City. Social services districts are responsible for directly administering most public assistance programs, including those that serve the homeless and refugees. Agency staff also provide legal and audit support.

Budget Highlights

The FY 2024 Executive Budget recommends nearly $8.6 billion for the agency. This is an increase of approximately $1.2 billion from the FY 2023 budget. The increase reflects a $1 billion investment due to the State providing time-limited support to New York City for the projected costs of providing services and assistance to the eligible migrant population that has grown in the last year. The total also reflects increases in Federal support for human services programs, partially offset.by the one-time nature of State funding for various COVID-19 related rental assistance programs.

The FY 2024 Executive Budget recommends a workforce of 1,922 FTEs, unchanged from FY 2023 workforce levels.

Major budget actions include:

  • Provide Support for Migrant Services and Assistance. The Budget includes a new $1 billion extraordinary appropriation to provide reimbursement to New York City for migrant support services and assistance.

  • Increase Public Assistance Recipients’ Access to Education and Training Opportunities. The Executive Budget proposes changes to Public Assistance (PA) to increase the economic stability and outlook of recipients by providing increased access to education and training opportunities by eliminating the requirement for education to be combined with other activities after 12 months of post-secondary education. Additionally, the Budget authorizes the disregard of all earned income of a PA recipient from participating in a qualified work activity or training program when calculating their PA benefit.

  • Provide Assistance to Victims of Public Assistance Fraud. The Budget provides assistance to PA recipients who have had benefits stolen as a result of card skimming, cloning, third-party misrepresentation or other similar fraudulent activities.

  • Increase Support for Code Blue. The Executive Budget increases State funding for the Code Blue program by $7 million to support local districts in their protection of homeless individuals from exposure-related conditions during inclement winter weather.

  • Continue the Empire State Supportive Housing Initiative (ESSHI). As part of the Governor’s five-year, $25 billion comprehensive Housing Plan to create and preserve 100,000 affordable homes, including 10,000 homes with support services for vulnerable populations, the Executive Budget provides an additional $100 million for a total of $210 million within OTDA for ESSHI to provide ongoing service and operating support for the program. ESSHI is a multi-agency initiative for supportive housing service and operating funding to support units that house individuals or families who are homeless or at risk of homelessness and also suffer from one or more disabling conditions including serious mental illness, substance use disorder, HIV/AIDS, and domestic violence, among other factors.

  • Create More Homeless Housing. The Budget continues funding at $128 million for HHAP. This investment will create more housing for individuals and families who are homeless and unable to secure adequate housing without special assistance. HHAP is a critical resource in achieving the State’s supportive housing development goals, as it funds the capital construction of housing solely targeted to homeless individuals and families that require wrap-around services to remain stably housed.

  • Provide Year-Round Employment Opportunities for Youth. The Budget builds upon the success of the existing Summer Youth Employment Program by creating a new Youth Opportunities Program to provide these employment opportunities during the remaining months of the year. The Budget includes $18 million in new State funding in FY 2024 to provide for year-round part-time employment opportunities for an estimated 2,500 youth in regions around New York. The Budget also increases funding for the Summer Youth Employment Program by $1 million, to $47.1 million.

For more information on this agency's budget recommendations located in the Executive Budget Briefing Book, click on the following link:

Program Highlights

Public Assistance

New York provides cash assistance to income-eligible individuals and families through the Family Assistance (FA) and Safety Net Assistance (SNA) programs. For income-eligible families with a minor child, ongoing cash assistance provided through the FA program is financed largely with Federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) funds for up to 60 months, pursuant to federal statute. Families who have exhausted their 60-month time limit on FA, as well as income-eligible single adults and childless couples, can receive such assistance through the SNA program which is financed with State and local dollars. The FY 2024 caseload is estimated at approximately 558,000 recipients.

SSI State Supplement Program

New York's Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program supplements Federal SSI benefits to low-income elderly, blind, and disabled persons. The FY 2024 caseload is estimated at 650,000 recipients.

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

SNAP is a federally mandated program that seeks to improve the nutritional level of low-income families and individuals by providing supplemental assistance to purchase food items. In New York, SNAP is directly administered by local social services districts, which are also responsible for administering programs to assist SNAP recipients in gaining the skills necessary to obtain and retain employment through training, education, and supportive services.

Homeless Housing and Assistance Program (HHAP)

HHAP provides grants to not-for-profit corporations and municipalities to expand and improve the supply of permanent, transitional, and emergency housing for homeless persons. HHAP also links its projects to other State and Federal funding sources to deliver appropriate support services to help tenants move towards greater self-sufficiency and economic stability.

Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP)

HEAP helps low-income households pay the cost of heating their homes. Eligibility is based on a number of factors, and eligible households may receive one regular benefit per year and emergency benefits, as available. The HEAP program also operates a heating equipment repair and replacement program, a heating equipment clean and tune program, and a cooling program during the summer months. OTDA has received supplemental Federal funding for HEAP to help more households pay heating costs and utility arrears incurred during the COVID-19 pandemic and is expected to receive a larger Federal grant award from the recent Omnibus Appropriations Act.

Child Support Services

The Child Support Services Program provides assistance with paternity and child support establishment, as well as the collection of child support. In addition, the Center operates an Access and Visitation program, which aids parents in development of successful parenting plans and visitation supervision and enforcement.

ALL FUNDS
APPROPRIATIONS
(dollars)
Category Available
FY 2023
Appropriations
Recommended
FY 2024
Change From
FY 2023
Reappropriations
Recommended
FY 2024
State Operations 651,618,779 465,601,000 (186,017,779) 554,393,850
Aid To Localities 6,614,216,231 7,967,264,000 1,353,047,769 6,877,476,500
Capital Projects 128,000,000 128,000,000 0 389,174,000
Total 7,393,835,010 8,560,865,000 1,167,029,990 7,821,044,350

ALL FUND TYPES
PROJECTED LEVELS OF EMPLOYMENT BY PROGRAM
FILLED ANNUAL SALARIED POSITIONS
Program FY 2023
Estimated FTEs
03/31/23
FY 2024
Estimated FTEs
03/31/24
FTE Change
Administration
General Fund 313 313 0
Child Support Services
General Fund 16 16 0
Special Revenue Funds - Federal 37 37 0
Disability Determinations Program
Special Revenue Funds - Federal 859 859 0
Employment and Income Support
General Fund 256 256 0
Administrative Hearings
General Fund 304 304 0
Specialized Services Program
General Fund 113 113 0
Special Revenue Funds - Federal 16 16 0
Supported Housing
Capital Projects Funds - Other 8 8 0
Total 1,922 1,922 0

STATE OPERATIONS
ALL FUNDS FINANCIAL REQUIREMENTS BY FUND TYPE
APPROPRIATIONS
(dollars)
Fund Type Available
FY 2023
Recommended
FY 2024
Change
General Fund 297,078,803 169,853,000 (127,225,803)
Special Revenue Funds - Federal 352,039,976 293,248,000 (58,791,976)
Special Revenue Funds - Other 2,500,000 2,500,000 0
Total 651,618,779 465,601,000 (186,017,779)
Adjustments:
Transfer(s) From
Special Pay Bill
General Fund (1,999,010)
Temporary and Disability Assistance, Office of
General Fund
(Aid To Localities) (127,320,769)
Special Revenue Funds - Federal
(Aid To Localities) (60,000,000)
Appropriated FY 2023 462,299,000

STATE OPERATIONS
ALL FUNDS FINANCIAL REQUIREMENTS BY PROGRAM
APPROPRIATIONS
(dollars)
Program Available
FY 2023
Recommended
FY 2024
Change
Administration
General Fund 53,104,939 53,154,000 49,061
Special Revenue Funds - Other 2,500,000 2,500,000 0
Administrative Hearings
General Fund 30,593,177 30,610,000 16,823
Child Support Services
General Fund 10,912,377 10,915,000 2,623
Special Revenue Funds - Federal 36,988,000 36,988,000 0
Disability Determinations Program
Special Revenue Funds - Federal 195,281,976 196,000,000 718,024
Employment and Income Support
General Fund 48,869,222 48,885,000 15,778
Special Revenue Funds - Federal 51,075,000 51,075,000 0
Information Technology Program
General Fund 8,383,000 8,383,000 0
Special Revenue Funds - Federal 5,000,000 5,000,000 0
Specialized Services Program
General Fund 145,216,088 17,906,000 (127,310,088)
Special Revenue Funds - Federal 63,695,000 4,185,000 (59,510,000)
Total 651,618,779 465,601,000 (186,017,779)

STATE OPERATIONS - GENERAL FUND
SUMMARY OF PERSONAL SERVICE APPROPRIATIONS AND CHANGES
FY 2024 RECOMMENDED
(dollars)
Program Total Personal Service Regular
(Annual Salaried)
Amount Change Amount Change
Administration 25,619,000 49,061 25,475,000 51,299
Administrative Hearings 25,700,000 16,823 25,300,000 23,517
Child Support Services 2,549,000 2,623 2,463,000 2,677
Employment and Income Support 17,545,000 15,778 17,285,000 28,147
Specialized Services Program 15,846,000 10,681 15,785,000 10,893
Total 87,259,000 94,966 86,308,000 116,533
STATE OPERATIONS - GENERAL FUND
SUMMARY OF PERSONAL SERVICE APPROPRIATIONS AND CHANGES
FY 2024 RECOMMENDED CONTINUED
(dollars)
Program Temporary Service
(Nonannual Salaried)
Holiday/Overtime Pay
Amount Change Amount Change
Administration 100,000 0 44,000 (2,238)
Administrative Hearings 0 0 400,000 (6,694)
Child Support Services 0 0 86,000 (54)
Employment and Income Support 160,000 0 100,000 (12,369)
Specialized Services Program 0 0 61,000 (212)
Total 260,000 0 691,000 (21,567)

STATE OPERATIONS - GENERAL FUND
SUMMARY OF NONPERSONAL SERVICE AND MAINTENANCE UNDISTRIBUTED
APPROPRIATIONS AND CHANGES
FY 2024 RECOMMENDED
(dollars)
Program Total Supplies and Materials
Amount Change Amount Change
Administration 27,535,000 0 1,529,000 0
Administrative Hearings 4,910,000 0 355,000 0
Child Support Services 8,366,000 0 201,000 0
Employment and Income Support 31,340,000 0 9,397,000 0
Information Technology Program 8,383,000 0 0 0
Specialized Services Program 2,060,000 (127,320,769) 30,000 (127,320,769)
Total 82,594,000 (127,320,769) 11,512,000 (127,320,769)
STATE OPERATIONS - GENERAL FUND
SUMMARY OF NONPERSONAL SERVICE AND MAINTENANCE UNDISTRIBUTED
APPROPRIATIONS AND CHANGES
FY 2024 RECOMMENDED CONTINUED
(dollars)
Program Travel Contractual Services
Amount Change Amount Change
Administration 353,000 0 25,388,000 0
Administrative Hearings 250,000 0 4,010,000 0
Child Support Services 100,000 0 8,019,000 0
Employment and Income Support 165,000 0 21,728,000 0
Information Technology Program 0 0 8,383,000 0
Specialized Services Program 185,000 0 1,825,000 0
Total 1,053,000 0 69,353,000 0
STATE OPERATIONS - GENERAL FUND
SUMMARY OF NONPERSONAL SERVICE AND MAINTENANCE UNDISTRIBUTED
APPROPRIATIONS AND CHANGES
FY 2024 RECOMMENDED CONTINUED
(dollars)
Program Equipment
Amount Change
Administration 265,000 0
Administrative Hearings 295,000 0
Child Support Services 46,000 0
Employment and Income Support 50,000 0
Specialized Services Program 20,000 0
Total 676,000 0

STATE OPERATIONS - OTHER THAN GENERAL FUND
SUMMARY OF APPROPRIATIONS AND CHANGES
FY 2024 RECOMMENDED
(dollars)
Program Total Personal Service
Amount Change Amount Change
Administration 2,500,000 0 0 0
Child Support Services 36,988,000 0 7,000,000 0
Disability Determinations Program 196,000,000 718,024 87,400,000 388,909
Employment and Income Support 51,075,000 0 15,775,000 0
Information Technology Program 5,000,000 0 0 0
Specialized Services Program 4,185,000 (59,510,000) 2,068,000 251,000
Total 295,748,000 (58,791,976) 112,243,000 639,909
STATE OPERATIONS - OTHER THAN GENERAL FUND
SUMMARY OF APPROPRIATIONS AND CHANGES
FY 2024 RECOMMENDED CONTINUED
(dollars)
Program Nonpersonal Service
Amount Change
Administration 2,500,000 0
Child Support Services 29,988,000 0
Disability Determinations Program 108,600,000 329,115
Employment and Income Support 35,300,000 0
Information Technology Program 5,000,000 0
Specialized Services Program 2,117,000 (59,761,000)
Total 183,505,000 (59,431,885)

AID TO LOCALITIES
ALL FUNDS FINANCIAL REQUIREMENTS BY FUND TYPE
APPROPRIATIONS
(dollars)
Fund Type Available
FY 2023
Recommended
FY 2024
Change
Fiduciary 10,000,000 10,000,000 0
General Fund 2,495,641,231 2,837,117,000 341,475,769
Special Revenue Funds - Federal 4,088,675,000 5,100,247,000 1,011,572,000
Special Revenue Funds - Other 19,900,000 19,900,000 0
Total 6,614,216,231 7,967,264,000 1,353,047,769
Adjustments:
Transfer(s) To
Temporary and Disability Assistance, Office of
General Fund
(State Operations) 127,320,769
Special Revenue Funds - Federal
(State Operations) 60,000,000
Appropriated FY 2023 6,801,537,000

AID TO LOCALITIES
ALL FUNDS FINANCIAL REQUIREMENTS BY PROGRAM
APPROPRIATIONS
(dollars)
Program Available
FY 2023
Recommended
FY 2024
Change
Child Support Services
Special Revenue Funds - Federal 140,000,000 140,000,000 0
Empire State Supportive Housing Initiative
General Fund 110,000,000 210,000,000 100,000,000
Employment and Income Support
Fiduciary 10,000,000 10,000,000 0
General Fund 1,343,366,000 2,336,721,000 993,355,000
Special Revenue Funds - Federal 3,823,175,000 4,650,747,000 827,572,000
Special Revenue Funds - Other 10,000,000 10,000,000 0
LEGAL REP FOR EVICTION
General Fund 0 35,000,000 35,000,000
Specialized Services Program
General Fund 1,042,275,231 255,396,000 (786,879,231)
Special Revenue Funds - Federal 125,500,000 309,500,000 184,000,000
Special Revenue Funds - Other 9,900,000 9,900,000 0
Total 6,614,216,231 7,967,264,000 1,353,047,769

CAPITAL PROJECTS
ALL FUNDS FINANCIAL REQUIREMENTS BY PROGRAM
APPROPRIATIONS
(dollars)
Comprehensive Construction Program Available
FY 2023
Recommended
FY 2024
Change Reappropriations
FY 2024
Supported Housing Program
Capital Projects Fund 2,000,000 2,000,000 0 3,772,000
Housing Program Fund 126,000,000 126,000,000 0 385,402,000
Total 128,000,000 128,000,000 0 389,174,000

Note: Most recent estimates as of 02/01/2023