Updated on November 13, 2023
This page is for asylum seekers in the U.S. state of New York. The Asylum Seeker Advocacy Project (ASAP) created this page to answer some of the common questions we receive from asylum seekers in New York. We hope you find the information useful!
Please note: This page includes links to both nonprofit organizations and government resources. The New York State and New York City governments have stated that they will not share any private information with U.S. immigration officials. Receiving assistance from the government does not affect your asylum case or your ability to apply for a green card based on asylum in the future.
Continue reading or click on the links below:
- General help
- Driver’s licenses, IDs, and transportation
- Food and supplies
- School and child care
- Cash assistance
- Other topics
General help
For general help and information, you can:
- Call the New Americans Hotline (1-800-566-7636). This hotline is for immigrants anywhere in New York State and is managed by the state government and a nonprofit organization called Catholic Charities. The people who answer the phone speak many languages and can give information about the services available in your community.
- Go to a New York City Asylum Seeker Resource Navigation Center. These city centers were created to support asylum seekers who have recently arrived in New York City (the Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Staten Island, or Queens). At the centers, you can find help with health care, enrolling children in school, and more. Their website also has general information for asylum seekers in New York City.
- Visit FindHelp.org and enter your zip code to find free or low-cost services near you, including food assistance, financial help, baby supplies, and more.
- Visit ASAP’s Find Help Page for lists of immigration attorneys and many other resources.
- Call 311 or 211. Call 311 in New York City or 211 anywhere else in New York State for other help finding services near you.
Driver’s licenses, IDs, and transportation
Driver’s licenses
If you live anywhere in the state of New York, you can apply for a driver’s license regardless of your immigration status. Even if you do not have a work permit, a social security number, or any immigration status, you can still apply for a driver’s license! Click the links below to learn about the steps and requirements.
Learn more:
- Visit the New York Department of Motor Vehicles website.
- Read this flyer.
- Call the New Americans Hotline, 1-800-566-7636.
New York State identification (ID) cards
If you are an asylum seeker with a valid work permit and social security card and you live in the state of New York, you may also be able to apply for an ID card that is not a driver’s license. To apply for a state ID, you will need to show proof of your immigration status. Click the link below to learn more about the requirements and steps.
Learn more:
New York City identification (ID) cards
If you live in New York City (the Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Staten Island, or Queens), you can apply for a New York City ID card. You can apply for a New York City ID card regardless of your immigration status. You cannot use a New York City ID to drive or to show to U.S federal government officials, but it can be useful to show your identity in New York City.
Learn more:
New York City buses and subways
If you live in New York City (the Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Staten Island, or Queens), you can apply for a MetroCard to ride the bus and subway for half price. This card is through a program called “Fair Fares,” and you can apply regardless of your immigration status. To qualify, you also have to show that the money you earn is below a certain amount.
Many children can also ride the subway for free. An adult can bring up to 3 children with them for free, if the children are under 44 inches (111 centimeters) tall.
Learn more:
- Learn about the Fair Fares MetroCard and how to apply.
- Check if you qualify for the Fair Fares MetroCard.
Food and supplies
General help with food, diapers, and other supplies
In many locations across New York, you can find help getting food, diapers, and other supplies. These programs are sometimes called food banks, food pantries, or soup kitchens. They are generally not managed by the government.
Usually, food pantries and similar services are available to anyone in need and do not require you to show any information about immigration status.
Learn more:
- Find locations with free food near you.
- Find community organizations near you to help with food, diapers, and supplies.
- Find locations with free food in New York City (the Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Staten Island, or Queens).
- Apply to receive free cloth diapers.
- Visit this web page for other information about food assistance.
Food and baby formula for mothers, babies, and children under 5
The U.S. government has a national program called the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (“WIC”). This program helps pregnant women, breastfeeding women, babies, and children under age 5 access food and baby formula. You can apply for WIC regardless of your immigration status. To qualify, you also have to show that the money you earn is below a certain amount.
Learn more:
- Get help applying for WIC at an office near you.
- Learn how to apply for WIC.
- Read general information about WIC in New York.
Food for children in school
Many public schools offer free or low-cost breakfast and lunch to children during the school year. You can apply for these free or low-cost school meals regardless of your family’s immigration status. To qualify, you also have to show that the money you earn is below a certain amount.
During the summer, many parks, libraries, and community centers also offer free meals for children.
Learn more:
- Learn how to apply for school breakfast and lunch.
- Find free meals for children during the summer (check the website during summer months).
Food for people age 60 or older in New York City and Long Island
Some people who are 60 years old or older can apply to receive free boxes of food each month through a New York program called “CSFP.” The program is only available to people who live in Long Island and New York City (the Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Staten Island, or Queens). You can apply for CSFP regardless of your immigration status. To qualify, you also have to show that the money you earn is below a certain amount.
Learn more:
Food stamps (“SNAP”)
The U.S. government has a national program called the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (“SNAP”), which is also known as “EBT,” or “food stamps.” This program helps people buy food if they cannot afford it.
Unfortunately, asylum seekers in New York and most other states are not eligible for food stamps through SNAP, unless they also have a different immigration status. However, if you have U.S. citizen children, you may be able to receive benefits on their behalf.
Learn more:
School and child care
Free public school for children ages 5 to 18
Every child in the United States has the right to receive free public education, regardless of their immigration status. Free public school starts around age 5 or 6, and ends around age 18. All children in the United States are required to attend some form of school until they reach a certain age, usually age 18.
You and your child should NOT need to show proof of immigration status to enroll in public school. However, you may need to show other information, such as proof of where you live or information about your child’s medical or school history. The school may also ask if you or your child have a Social Security number, but you do not need to show one.
Many public schools also offer free or low-cost breakfast and lunch to children. You can apply for these free or low-cost school meals regardless of your family’s immigration status.
Learn more:
- Enter your address on this website to find your local public school, anywhere in the United States. You can call the school for information about how to enroll your child.
- Go to a New York City Asylum Seeker Resource Navigation Center or a Family Welcome Center to get help enrolling your child in school if you live in New York City (the Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Staten Island, or Queens).
- Learn how to apply for school breakfast and lunch.
- Read about the U.S. education system.
Free or low-cost child care and preschool for children ages 0 to 5
In some places, children ages 0 to 5 may also be able to access free or low-cost child care and preschool.
Across the United States, the most well known programs for younger children are called “Head Start” (for children ages 3-5) and “Early Head Start” (for children ages 0-3). Children can apply for Head Start and Early Head Start regardless of their immigration status.
In New York City (the Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Staten Island, or Queens), there are also other programs for children, starting as young as 6 weeks old. Some of these programs may ask the child to show their immigration status, for example a U.S. birth certificate. However, even if a program asks for information about the child’s immigration status, they should not ask about the immigration status of parents or anyone else in the child’s household.
Learn more:
- Enter your address on this website to learn if there is a local Head Start or Early Head Start center near you, anywhere in the United States.
- Visit the New York City Asylum Seeker Resource website to learn about child care programs in New York City (the Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Staten Island, or Queens) and find a center where you can get help enrolling your child. You can also visit these websites for more information about New York City programs:
Cash assistance
New York State Safety Net Assistance (“SNA”)
If you live in the state of New York and you have submitted an asylum application, you may be able to receive monthly financial assistance through a government program called Safety Net Assistance (“SNA”).
To apply for SNA, you will need to show evidence about your immigration status or immigration application. For example:
- If you have applied for asylum, you can submit a copy of your asylum application receipt notice (see examples here and here). You can also submit a copy of your work permit based on seeking asylum, if you have one.
- If you have applied for Temporary Protected Status (TPS), you can submit a copy of your TPS receipt notice.
- If you have a different immigration status or pending immigration application, you can check this government page to see if you are eligible.
- Unfortunately, if you do not have any U.S. immigration status and you do not have a pending immigration application, you cannot apply for SNA.
You will also need to show other information, including that the money you earn is below a certain amount.
Learn more:
- Learn more about SNA.
- Find a center for help applying for SNA in New York City (the Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Staten Island, or Queens).
- Find a center for help applying for SNA in other parts of New York State.
New York City emergency help with expenses
If you live in New York City (the Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Staten Island, or Queens), you may also be able to apply for one-time financial help if you are in a specific emergency situation.
Learn more:
- Visit this New York City website (scroll down to “Emergency Help with Expenses”).
- Call (718) 557-1399 for more information.
Can receiving cash assistance affect your immigration case?
Receiving cash assistance does not affect your asylum case or your ability to apply for a green card based on asylum in the future. However, if you are applying for a different immigration status, such as a family-based green card, it is possible that receiving cash assistance could affect your case.
Learn more:
Other Topics
Visit these other pages to learn about:
- How to apply for a work permit
- The asylum process
- Health care for asylum seekers (You can also view this flyer for information about health care in New York City.)
Note: This information is not a substitute for advice from an attorney.
