The purpose of the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA) is to oversee a range of New York State’s most important programs for its low-income residents, with a focus on employment wherever possible, and to provide leadership, guidance and support to local departments of social services in the administration of those programs. OTDA’s functions include, but are not limited to the following:

• Providing temporary cash assistance

• Providing assistance in paying for food

• Providing heating assistance

• Overseeing New York State’s child support enforcement program

• Determining certain aspects of eligibility for Social Security Disability benefits

• Supervising homeless housing and services programs

• Providing assistance to certain immigrant populations

HAS THIS PROGRAM BEEN SUSPENDED DUE TO COVID-19? No. OTDA is continuing to provide support during the COVID-19 pandemic. OTDA has provided "COVID-19 Resources for Individuals and Families" to assist with IRS stimulus payment, Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT) food benefits, SNAP COVID-19 information and other issues.