What We Do

LSNYC Government Benefits advocates assist individuals with legal problems relating to Public Assistance, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, or Food Stamps), Medicaid/Medicare, housing subsidies (including FEPS, SCRIE, DRIE, and HASA), and Unemployment Insurance/Supplemental Security Income/Social Security Disability (UI/SSI/SSD) benefits. Our advocates help clients whose financial instability stems from job loss or disability, and we represent clients seeking federal disability benefits from the Social Security Administration and unemployment insurance benefits after a job loss. We also appeal cases to state and federal courts and work with community partners throughout NYC to advocate for fairness in the administration of the government benefits system. To ensure access to justice for our clients, our advocates engage in broad-based advocacy and work on city and state-wide initiatives.

Unemployment Insurance Project

Through aggressive individual representation, LSNYC’s Unemployment Insurance Project works to ensure that unemployed workers obtain Unemployment Insurance (UI), a critical income support for people who have lost their jobs through no fault of their own or have had to resign due to domestic violence, a health condition or some other good cause. Our expert advocates provide both legal advice and direct representation at UI hearings and appeals and, in collaboration with elected officials, other advocates and community-based organizations, help educate the public and decision-makers about the impact of various UI policies on the low-wage workers we serve. We have helped thousands of additional workers to file claims through our collaboration with the Department of Labor to make their application forms easier to use.

RESOURCES

Government Benefits: 

• Know Your Rights: NYS Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) (Fact Sheet, 2021)
  English, Español (Spanish), 简化字 (Simplfied Chinese)
• For Advocates: Is Your Client Eligible for the ERAP? (Fact Sheet, 2021)
  English
• Know Your Rights: Pandemic-EBT (Fact Sheet, 2020)
  English, Español (Spanish)
• Know Your Rights: Public Benefits Fair Hearing (Video Series, 2021)
  English, Español (Spanish)

Our Legal Assistance Hotline is open Monday through Friday from 9:30am to 4pm. Call 917-661-4500 to speak to an intake officer in any language.