Community Resources

Resources

Dear Children’s Aid community members,

We understand that navigating an ever-changing landscape can be challenging, and we are committed to sharing reliable information and essential resources to support you.

While New York City and State laws offer protections, it’s important to stay informed about policies and rights at the local and national levels. This page provides up-to-date guidance on immigration, knowing your rights, updates on benefits access, and accessing critical support from trusted organizations including the Mayor's Office of Immigrant Affairs, New York Immigration Coalition, New York Lawyers for Public Interest, Lawyers Alliance for New York, and others.

At Children's Aid, we are dedicated to fostering a welcoming, safe, and inclusive environment for all. We stand firmly against discrimination in any form and believe every family – regardless of race, ethnicity, or nationality – deserves the opportunity to build a stable and fulfilling life.

Policies and leadership decisions continue to evolve rapidly, and we remain committed to providing vetted, reliable resources to help families stay informed and supported. We are here with you, working together to keep our communities safe and informed.

With gratitude,
The Children’s Aid Team

To view this page in another language, scroll to the top right section of the page and look for the Google Icon that says, “Select Language.”

Know Your Rights

Legal Information and Other Resources for Asylum Seekers - MOIA
- The NYC Mayor's Office of Immigrant Affairs provides important information for asylum seekers entering New York City as they navigate the immigration and asylum process.
- The following informational videos cover topics like updating your address, meetings with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), legal documents, court dates, and more. This video series contains information, not legal advice. Anyone needing legal advice should consult with a licensed attorney.
Know Your Rights Resources for Immigrant New Yorkers
- Includes downloadable booklets, contact information, and more resources.
Know Your Rights with ICE Booklet
- Frequently asked questions on your rights if an agent approaches you.
- Available in multiple languages including English, Arabic, Bengali, Chinese, French, Haitian Creole, Korean, Polish, Russian, and Spanish.
What to do after a friend of family member is detained by ICE/Immigration
- If ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) agents detain a friend or family member, there may be resources available to them. This booklet only gives general information and is not intended to be used as legal advice. Consult an attorney for legal advice.
- Available in multiple languages including English, Arabic, Bengali, Chinese, French, Haitian Creole, Korean, Polish, Russian, and Spanish.
Sanctuary City Laws in NYC
- New York City’s sanctuary laws prioritize public safety, due process, and trust over immigration enforcement.
- Available in multiple languages including English, Arabic, Bengali, Chinese, French, Haitian Creole, Korean, Polish, Russian, and Spanish.
Do You Know Your Rights as a Parent of an English Language Learner?
- Do you Know Your Rights videos are provided in the following languages: Arabic | Bengali | Chinese | English | French | Haitian Creole | Korean | Spanish | Urdu
- These videos only give general information and are not intended to be used as legal advice. Consult an attorney for legal advice.

Legal Support

MOIA Immigration Legal Support Hotline
- You can call the city-funded, free, and safe MOIA Immigration Legal Support Hotline at 800-354-0365 or call 311 and say, “Immigration Legal,” between 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Monday to Friday.
- The MOIA Immigration Legal Support Hotline helps eligible New York City residents find trusted immigration legal help in the five boroughs. The hotline does not provide legal services directly, and they do not schedule appointments but can connect you to available resources.
Immigration Legal Support Centers
- The Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs has multiple Legal Support Centers across the City that offers New Yorkers free, safe immigration legal help. These centers are housed in community sites, public health facilities, public schools, and libraries. Services are provided in your language and immigration status does not matter. However, this program is intended to serve individuals who are NYC residents & are income eligible (200% of the Federal Poverty Level).
- The MOIA Immigration Legal Support Centers provide:
  - Free legal screenings to find out if you qualify for any immigration benefit
  - Free legal help from an experienced attorney or accredited representative for a range of cases including:
    - Citizenship
    - Green card applications and renewals
    - Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA)
    - Temporary Protected Status (TPS)
  - Referrals to City-funded and community-based resources and support services
- To learn more, you can call the City-funded, free & safe MOIA Immigration Legal Support Hotline at 1-800-354-0365, or call 311 and say "immigration Legal", between 9:00AM to 6:00PM, Monday - Friday. Interpretation is available.
- You can also visit this site in several languages: MOIA Legal Support Centers – MOIA.
- Borough-specific flyers detailing available legal support centers in Arabic, Bengali, Chinese, French, Haitian Creole, Korean, Polish, Russian, Spanish, and Urdu are available here: Brooklyn | Bronx | Manhattan | Queens | Staten Island.
Directory of Free to Low Cost Legal Service Providers
- Below you will find access to a national, statewide, and upstate NY directory of free to low cost legal service providers. Due to high demand, it is not guaranteed that there will be available appointments for screenings at either of the following providers.
  - NYS Directory of Legal Service Providers: Free Legal Help in New York State | LawHelpNY
  - Legal Provider Map for Upstate NY: Map | Service Provider Map by IMMIGRANT ARC
  - National Directory of Immigration Legal Service Providers: National Immigration Legal Services Directory - Immigration Advocates Network

Immigrant Caregivers and Standby Guardianship

MOIA Recommendations: If you are an immigrant caregiver (including a parent, a legal guardian, a legal custodian, or other relative) who is worried that you may be separated from your child because of immigration enforcement, get help to plan for the future by:
- Contacting a free and trusted legal services provider by calling MOIA’s Legal Hotline at 1-800-854-0365.
- Choosing an emergency contact and memorizing their phone number. This should be someone that you trust and can include your lawyer.
- Updating emergency contact information at your child’s school by updating a Blue Card in their school.
- Appointing someone to take care of your child and make important decisions in case you are unable to do so.
There are several ways to appoint someone to take care of your child:
1. Designate a person in a parental relationship by filling out a form called the OCFS-4940 with the NYS Office of Children and Family Services. For more information on this process, review page 6 of the form. This can be done immediately and does not require you to go to court.
2. Standby Guardianship, which requires filing with a court.
 For free, safe immigration legal help, including help designating a standby guardian, you can call MOIA’s Immigration Legal Support Hotline at 1-800-354-0365 between 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Monday to Friday. Interpretation is available.
For more information about standby guardianship, please visit the Immigrant Caregivers page.
Resources and Contact Information
- For free, safe immigration legal help, including help in understanding and designating a standby guardian, you can call the MOIA Immigration Legal Support Hotline at 800-354-0365 between 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Monday to Friday or call 311 and say, "Immigration Legal."
- Appoint a Standby Guardian for a Child (NYcourts.gov)
- Form to designate a person in parental relationship (OCFS) - This link will download a form for you to designate a person in a parental relationship. Review page 6 for more information on this option.
- Family Justice Centers (NYC.gov/fjc)
- Family Legal Care: 212-343-1122 Monday to Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. EST
- Register Emergency Contact Information with your child's NYC public school
- If you are facing deportation and need a lawyer, call the State Office of New Americans Hotline for a referral at 800-566-7636.

Guidance from External Partners

Statewide Community Toolkit
- A resource guide for immigrant New Yorkers from July/August 2025
Guidance to Nonprofits Regarding Immigration Enforcement
- New York Lawyers for Public Interest and Lawyers Alliance for New York updated guidance outlining best practices in supporting immigrant clients.

SNAP Access

The New York Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance issued full Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits to all eligible households. All eligible New York households should have received their full benefits by November 15, 2025.

If you need immediate food assistance:

Food Help NYC maintains a list of food pantries and soup kitchens in an interactive map: Food Pantries & Soup Kitchens.
Food Bank for NYC and City Harvest also have maps that include mobile markets and community fridges, in addition to pantries and meal service.
Visit Access HRA to see if you are eligible for other benefits programs.
The NYC Mayor’s Office of Food Policy have also created a comprehensive resource list for impacted SNAP recipients, with information for Medicaid participants and older adults.

Upcoming SNAP Work Requirement Changes

Beginning March 1, 2026, New York State will implement new federal SNAP rules that expand work requirements for Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents (ABAWDs). Adults aged 18 to 64, formerly 54, will need to work, volunteer, or participate in an approved training program for at least 80 hours per month to receive benefits for more than three months within a three-year period. The update removes prior exemptions for veterans, people experiencing homelessness, and former foster youth, and narrows the exemption for parents to those with children under age 14. March will serve as the first "countable month" under the three-month time limit, meaning SNAP benefits cannot be reduced due to ABAWD non-compliance until June 2026 at the earliest.

Download the flyer:

If you are subject to new work requirements:

You will receive, or have already received, a notice from NYC’s Human Resources Administration (HRA).

If you do not currently meet these new work requirements, you will be sent a separate notice to schedule an appointment with HRA's PACE provider for help in finding qualifying work activities.

If you do not meet the work requirement, you will only be able to receive SNAP benefits for 3 months within a 36-month period.

What Should You Do Right Now?

Track Your Hours:
1. Start keeping track of your work hours (whether you’re employed, volunteering, or participating in a training program).
2. If you’re already working or volunteering, inform your SNAP caseworker and submit proof of your activities via ACCESS HRA.
Get Assistance:
1. HRA or a contracted provider can help you find and enroll in programs that meet the requirements.
2. Find work, volunteer, or training programs that meet the requirements.
If You Have a Disability:
1. Fill out the ABAWD Medical Statement Form (available on the HRA website in multiple languages).
2. Ask your clinician or therapist to complete it, and submit it through ACCESS HRA, by mail, fax, or in person.

Resources

Access HRA: Use the ACCESS HRA app or website to submit documents, track your case, and get more information.
For more help: Contact the SNAP Helpline at 718-762-7669 (718-SNAP-NOW) to ask questions about your work requirements and how to meet them.
SNAP Program Info: Visit HRA’s ABAWD Page and NYC’s SNAP Program Page for more details

Additionally, NYC’s Department of Social Services will host several webinars providing an overview of the ABAWD SNAP work requirements and recent policy changes. Sign up for one here.

For any questions, reach out to Abigail Leonard, Policy and Communications Analyst, at aleonard@childrensaidnyc.org.

Events

In the coming weeks, a series of vital trainings and webinars will provide educators, advocates, and community members with the tools to support immigrant youth, navigate legal challenges, and prepare for encounters with immigration enforcement. From creating safe spaces for immigrant youth to understanding expedited removal and Know Your Rights trainings, these events offer essential insights and resources. Explore the opportunities below and register to learn more about how you can support children, youth, and families.

Project Open Arms: Know Your Right

Wednesday, May 20 | 12:00 p.m. | Spanish & French - Full schedule
Audience: Students and Families