211 New York State
- General help
- Free
- Online or statewide
Free, confidential referral line and search for local help with food, housing, health and more.
Who it's for: Anyone.
New York
49 resources in New York, plus programs open to everyone.
In New York
Start here: benefits and programs
New York SNAP food benefits
- Food
- Free
- Online or statewide
Apply for or learn about Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), the state's food benefits program (SNAP), which helps pay for groceries.
Who it's for: Income limits apply.
New York State WIC
- Food
- Free
- Online or statewide
Healthy foods, nutrition education and breastfeeding support for pregnant women, infants and young children.
Who it's for: Income limits apply.
New York Medicaid
- Health care
- Free
- Online or statewide
Apply for or check your eligibility for New York's Medicaid program, which provides free health coverage to eligible residents.
Who it's for: Income limits apply.
myBenefits (New York State)
- Benefits
- Free
- Online or statewide
Check your eligibility and apply for state benefits such as SNAP food benefits and heating assistance.
Who it's for: Income limits apply.
Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP)
- Utilities
- Free
- Online or statewide
Helps eligible households pay heating and cooling costs. HEAP is seasonal, so check the site for current application dates.
Who it's for: Income limits apply.
Local help and services
City Harvest
- Food
- Free
- Online or statewide
Feeding America member food bank. Use the site to find food pantries and meal programs near you.
Feeding New York State
- Food
- Free
- Online or statewide
Statewide network of regional food banks. Find the one that serves your county.
Feeding Westchester
- Food
- Free
- Online or statewide
Feeding America member food bank. Use the site to find food pantries and meal programs near you.
FeedMore Western New York, Inc.
- Food
- Free
- Online or statewide
Feeding America member food bank. Use the site to find food pantries and meal programs near you.
Food Bank For New York City
- Food
- Free
- Online or statewide
Supplies food pantries and soup kitchens across the five boroughs. Use the site to find food near you.
Food Bank of Central New York
- Food
- Free
- Online or statewide
Feeding America member food bank. Use the site to find food pantries and meal programs near you.
Food Bank of the Southern Tier
- Food
- Free
- Online or statewide
Feeding America member food bank. Use the site to find food pantries and meal programs near you.
Foodlink, Inc.
- Food
- Free
- Online or statewide
Feeding America member food bank. Use the site to find food pantries and meal programs near you.
Island Harvest
- Food
- Free
- Online or statewide
Feeding America member food bank. Use the site to find food pantries and meal programs near you.
Long Island Cares, Inc.
- Food
- Free
- Online or statewide
Feeding America member food bank. Use the site to find food pantries and meal programs near you.
Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York
- Food
- Free
- Online or statewide
Feeding America member food bank. Use the site to find food pantries and meal programs near you.
Community Health Care Association of New York State
- Health care
- Sliding scale
- Online or statewide
Association of New York's community health centers, which charge based on income. Find a center near you.
Who it's for: Open to everyone; fees adjust to income.
NYC Care
- Health care
- Sliding scale
- Online or statewide
Health care through NYC Health + Hospitals for New Yorkers who don't have or can't afford insurance, with fees based on income.
Who it's for: NYC residents without insurance.
NYC Human Resources Administration (HRA)
- Benefits
- Free
- Online or statewide
NYC agency for food assistance, cash assistance and other help for low-income residents.
Who it's for: Income limits apply.
LawHelp.org: New York
- Legal help
- Free
- Online or statewide
Free legal information, self-help guides and links to free legal aid providers in New York.
Who it's for: Anyone can read the guides; legal aid providers set their own income limits.
Legal Aid Society of Mid-New York, Inc.
- Legal help
- Free
- Online or statewide
Free civil legal help for low-income residents, funded by the Legal Services Corporation. Check the website for the counties it serves.
Who it's for: Income-eligible residents of its service area.
Legal Aid Society of Northeastern New York, Inc.
- Legal help
- Free
- Online or statewide
Free civil legal help for low-income residents, funded by the Legal Services Corporation. Check the website for the counties it serves.
Who it's for: Income-eligible residents of its service area.
Legal Assistance of Western New York, Inc.
- Legal help
- Free
- Online or statewide
Free civil legal help for low-income residents, funded by the Legal Services Corporation. Check the website for the counties it serves.
Who it's for: Income-eligible residents of its service area.
Legal Services NYC
- Legal help
- Free
Free civil legal help for low-income New Yorkers on housing, benefits, family and consumer issues.
Who it's for: Income-eligible NYC residents.
- Brooklyn: Court Street office, 4th floor 105 Court St, Brooklyn, NY 11201 Directions
- Brooklyn: Court Street office, Suite 900 44 Court St, Brooklyn, NY 11201 Directions
- Brooklyn: Tenant Rights Coalition 1709 St Marks Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11233 Directions
- Brooklyn: Brighton Beach office 3049 Brighton 6th St, Brooklyn, NY 11235 Directions
- Brooklyn: Albany Avenue office, 2nd floor 29 Albany Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11216 Directions
- Bronx: East 149th Street office, 10th floor 349 E 149th St, Bronx, NY 10451 Directions
- Bronx: East 148th Street office, Suite A 369 E 148th St, Bronx, NY 10455 Directions
- Manhattan: Harlem office, 5th floor 2090 Adam Clayton Powell Jr Blvd, New York, NY 10027 Directions
- Manhattan: Worth Street office, Suite 704 40 Worth St, New York, NY 10013 Directions
- Queens office, 5th floor 89-00 Sutphin Blvd, Jamaica, NY 11435 Directions
- Staten Island office, Suite 900 60 Bay St, Staten Island, NY 10301 Directions
Legal Services of Long Island
- Legal help
- Free
- Online or statewide
Free civil legal help for low-income residents, funded by the Legal Services Corporation. Check the website for the counties it serves.
Who it's for: Income-eligible residents of its service area.
Legal Services of the Hudson Valley
- Legal help
- Free
- Online or statewide
Free civil legal help for low-income residents, funded by the Legal Services Corporation. Check the website for the counties it serves.
Who it's for: Income-eligible residents of its service area.
Neighborhood Legal Services, Inc.
- Legal help
- Free
- Online or statewide
Free civil legal help for low-income residents, funded by the Legal Services Corporation. Check the website for the counties it serves.
Who it's for: Income-eligible residents of its service area.
The Legal Aid Society
- Legal help
- Free
Free legal help for low-income New Yorkers in New York City, including housing and benefits problems.
Who it's for: Income-eligible NYC residents.
- Bronx Neighborhood Office 260 E 161st St, Bronx, NY 10451 Directions
- Brooklyn Neighborhood Office, 7th floor 111 Livingston St, Brooklyn, NY 11201 Directions
- Harlem Community Law Office 2090 Adam Clayton Powell Jr Blvd, New York, NY 10027 Directions
- Queens Neighborhood Office (Jamaica), 2nd floor 153-01 Jamaica Ave, Jamaica, NY 11432 Directions
- Queens Neighborhood Office (Kew Gardens) 120-46 Queens Blvd, Kew Gardens, NY 11415 Directions
- Staten Island Neighborhood Office, 3rd floor 60 Bay St, Staten Island, NY 10301 Directions
Libraries, parks and things to do
New York Public Library
- Education
- Free
Free books, programs, computers and exhibitions across the city, including the landmark Stephen A. Schwarzman Building on Fifth Avenue.
Who it's for: Free library card for New York residents; the building is open to all.
- Stephen A. Schwarzman Building 476 5th Ave, New York, NY 10018 Directions
Brooklyn Bridge Park
- Things to do
- Free
Free waterfront park along the East River with playgrounds, lawns, skyline views and many free events.
Who it's for: Open to everyone.
- Southern entrance 360 Furman St, Brooklyn, NY 11201 Directions
Central Park
- Things to do
- Free
Free, 843 acres of lawns, trails, playgrounds and lakes in the middle of Manhattan. The Central Park Conservancy site lists events and places to see.
Who it's for: Open to everyone.
- Central Park (Arsenal, East 64th Street entrance) 830 5th Ave, New York, NY 10065 Directions
Niagara Falls State Park
- Things to do
- Free
It is always free to walk in and see the falls. Parking costs extra, but the Whirlpool area offers free parking and a free shuttle.
Who it's for: Open to everyone.
- Welcome Center 332 Prospect St, Niagara Falls, NY 14303 Directions
Staten Island Ferry
- Things to do
- Free
A free ferry ride between Manhattan and Staten Island that takes about 25 minutes and runs every day of the year, with views of the harbor.
Who it's for: Open to everyone.
- Whitehall Terminal (Manhattan) 4 South St, New York, NY 10004 Directions
- St. George Terminal (Staten Island) 1 Bay St, Staten Island, NY 10301 Directions
The High Line
- Things to do
- Free
A free elevated park built on an old rail line on Manhattan's West Side, with gardens, art and free guided tours on some days.
Who it's for: Open to everyone.
- Gansevoort Street entrance Gansevoort St and Washington St, New York, NY 10014 Directions
The Metropolitan Museum of Art
- Things to do
- Low cost
New York State residents can pay what they wish for admission, with a one-cent minimum. Bring proof of residency, such as a state ID or library card.
Who it's for: New York State residents pay what they wish.
- The Met Fifth Avenue 1000 5th Ave, New York, NY 10028 Directions
Walkway Over the Hudson
- Things to do
- Free
A free, 1.28-mile pedestrian bridge 212 feet above the Hudson River. Free year-round except for a few special events.
Who it's for: Open to everyone.
- Poughkeepsie entrance 61 Parker Ave, Poughkeepsie, NY 12601 Directions
Ways to give back
New York State Commission for National and Community Service
- Volunteer
- Free
- Online or statewide
The state office that supports volunteering and national service (AmeriCorps) in New York. Use the site to find programs and opportunities.
Who it's for: Open to everyone. Sign-up steps and age limits vary.
Habitat for Humanity in New York
- Volunteer
- Free
- Online or statewide
Find a local Habitat for Humanity in New York to volunteer on home builds and repairs or in a ReStore.
Who it's for: Open to everyone. Sign-up steps and age limits vary.
Volunteer at City Harvest
- Volunteer
- Free
- Online or statewide
Help sort and pack food and support hunger relief in your community. Sign up on City Harvest's website.
Who it's for: Open to everyone. Sign-up steps and age limits vary.
Volunteer at Feeding Westchester
- Volunteer
- Free
- Online or statewide
Help sort and pack food and support hunger relief in your community. Sign up on Feeding Westchester's website.
Who it's for: Open to everyone. Sign-up steps and age limits vary.
Volunteer at FeedMore Western New York, Inc.
- Volunteer
- Free
- Online or statewide
Help sort and pack food and support hunger relief in your community. Sign up on FeedMore Western New York, Inc.'s website.
Who it's for: Open to everyone. Sign-up steps and age limits vary.
Volunteer at Food Bank For New York City
- Volunteer
- Free
- Online or statewide
Help sort and pack food and support hunger relief in your community. Sign up on Food Bank For New York City's website.
Who it's for: Open to everyone. Sign-up steps and age limits vary.
Volunteer at Food Bank of Central New York
- Volunteer
- Free
- Online or statewide
Help sort and pack food and support hunger relief in your community. Sign up on Food Bank of Central New York's website.
Who it's for: Open to everyone. Sign-up steps and age limits vary.
Volunteer at Food Bank of the Southern Tier
- Volunteer
- Free
- Online or statewide
Help sort and pack food and support hunger relief in your community. Sign up on Food Bank of the Southern Tier's website.
Who it's for: Open to everyone. Sign-up steps and age limits vary.
Volunteer at Foodlink, Inc.
- Volunteer
- Free
- Online or statewide
Help sort and pack food and support hunger relief in your community. Sign up on Foodlink, Inc.'s website.
Who it's for: Open to everyone. Sign-up steps and age limits vary.
Volunteer at Island Harvest
- Volunteer
- Free
- Online or statewide
Help sort and pack food and support hunger relief in your community. Sign up on Island Harvest's website.
Who it's for: Open to everyone. Sign-up steps and age limits vary.
Volunteer at Long Island Cares, Inc.
- Volunteer
- Free
- Online or statewide
Help sort and pack food and support hunger relief in your community. Sign up on Long Island Cares, Inc.'s website.
Who it's for: Open to everyone. Sign-up steps and age limits vary.
Volunteer at Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York
- Volunteer
- Free
- Online or statewide
Help sort and pack food and support hunger relief in your community. Sign up on Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York's website.
Who it's for: Open to everyone. Sign-up steps and age limits vary.
Available everywhere
Start here: benefits and programs
211 Helpline
- General help
- Free
- Online or statewide
Free, confidential referral line connecting you to local help with food, housing, utilities and more. Dial 211 or search online.
Who it's for: Anyone.
SNAP (Food Stamps)
- Food
- Free
- Online or statewide
Monthly benefits for groceries. Applications are handled by your state; the USDA page links to each state's office.
Who it's for: Income and household-size rules apply.
WIC
- Food
- Free
- Online or statewide
Food, nutrition counseling and health referrals for pregnant and postpartum women, infants and children under five.
Who it's for: Income-based; apply through your state or local WIC agency.
Medicaid and CHIP
- Health care
- Free
- Online or statewide
Free or low-cost health coverage for people with limited income, and for children through CHIP. Apply through your state.
Who it's for: Income and household rules vary by state.
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
- Mental health
- Free
- Online or statewide
24/7 free, confidential crisis support by call, text or chat.
Who it's for: Anyone.
Benefits.gov Benefit Finder
- Benefits
- Free
- Online or statewide
Federal questionnaire that shows which government benefits you may qualify for.
Who it's for: Anyone; answers are used only to match programs.
Free Tax Help (VITA)
- Benefits
- Free
- Online or statewide
IRS-certified volunteers prepare tax returns for free and help claim credits such as the EITC.
Who it's for: Generally households earning about $67,000 or less.
HUD Find Shelter and Housing Help
- Housing
- Free
- Online or statewide
Links to emergency shelter, housing counseling and rental assistance offices near you.
Lifeline Phone and Internet Discount
- Utilities
- Low cost
- Online or statewide
Monthly discount on phone or internet service for qualifying households.
Who it's for: Income-based, or enrollment in SNAP, Medicaid and other programs.
LIHEAP Energy Assistance
- Utilities
- Free
- Online or statewide
Federal program that helps with heating and cooling bills. Apply through your state or local agency.
Who it's for: Income-based.
Local help and services
Feeding America Food Bank Locator
- Food
- Free
- Online or statewide
Find the food bank that serves your ZIP code.
HRSA Find a Health Center
- Health care
- Sliding scale
- Online or statewide
Locator for federally funded community health centers that charge based on income and never turn people away for inability to pay.
Who it's for: Open to everyone.
SAMHSA National Helpline
- Mental health
- Free
- Online or statewide
Free, confidential treatment referrals for mental health and substance use, in English and Spanish, 24/7.
Who it's for: Anyone, including people without insurance.
National Domestic Violence Hotline
- Safety
- Free
- Online or statewide
24/7 confidential support, safety planning and referrals for people experiencing domestic violence.
Who it's for: Anyone.
Legal Services Corporation: Find Legal Aid
- Legal help
- Free
- Online or statewide
Directory of LSC-funded legal aid organizations offering free civil legal help.
Who it's for: Income-eligible individuals.
National Diaper Bank Network
- Family
- Free
- Online or statewide
Find a local diaper bank for free diapers and baby supplies.
Head Start
- Education
- Free
- Online or statewide
Free early learning and family services for children from birth to age five in low-income families.
Who it's for: Income-based.
Libraries, parks and things to do
Every Kid Outdoors
- Things to do
- Free
- Online or statewide
A free pass for fourth graders and their families to visit national parks, lands and waters for a year.
Who it's for: Fourth graders and their families.
Museums for All
- Things to do
- Low cost
- Online or statewide
Free or reduced admission to participating museums across the country for people receiving SNAP benefits. Bring your EBT card and a photo ID.
Who it's for: People receiving SNAP benefits.
National Park Service Entrance Passes and Free Days
- Things to do
- Free
- Online or statewide
Free entrance days at national parks, plus discounted or free passes for eligible groups.
Who it's for: Open to everyone on free days; passes have their own rules.
Ways to give back
American Red Cross: Volunteer
- Volunteer
- Free
- Online or statewide
Volunteer with disaster relief, blood drives and services for military families.
Who it's for: Open to everyone. Sign-up steps and age limits vary.
AmeriCorps
- Volunteer
- Free
- Online or statewide
Service programs across the country where members tackle local needs full or part time, some with a living allowance and help paying for school.
Who it's for: Open to everyone. Sign-up steps and age limits vary.
AmeriCorps Seniors RSVP
- Volunteer
- Free
- Online or statewide
Volunteer opportunities for adults 55 and older through RSVP, one of the country's largest senior volunteer networks. You choose how, where and when to serve.
Who it's for: Open to everyone. Sign-up steps and age limits vary.
Big Brothers Big Sisters: Become a Big
- Volunteer
- Free
- Online or statewide
Mentor a young person. It takes about an hour a week, and your local agency will guide you through the process.
Who it's for: Open to everyone. Sign-up steps and age limits vary.
Boys & Girls Clubs: Volunteer
- Volunteer
- Free
- Online or statewide
Volunteer at a local club as a mentor, tutor or activity leader for kids and teens.
Who it's for: Open to everyone. Sign-up steps and age limits vary.
CASA and GAL Volunteers
- Volunteer
- Free
- Online or statewide
Become a trained volunteer who speaks up for a child in the foster care system.
Who it's for: Open to everyone. Sign-up steps and age limits vary.
Catchafire
- Volunteer
- Free
- Online or statewide
Use your professional skills, such as design, marketing or tech, to help a nonprofit for a few hours.
Who it's for: Open to everyone. Sign-up steps and age limits vary.
Feeding America: Volunteer at a Food Bank
- Volunteer
- Free
- Online or statewide
Find a food bank near you and sign up to sort, pack and hand out food.
Who it's for: Open to everyone. Sign-up steps and age limits vary.
Habitat for Humanity: Volunteer
- Volunteer
- Free
- Online or statewide
Help build or repair affordable homes, or work in a local Habitat ReStore. No experience needed.
Who it's for: Open to everyone. Sign-up steps and age limits vary.
Idealist and VolunteerMatch
- Volunteer
- Free
- Online or statewide
Search thousands of in-person and virtual volunteer opportunities by cause and location. VolunteerMatch is now part of Idealist.
Who it's for: Open to everyone. Sign-up steps and age limits vary.
IRS Tax Volunteers (VITA and TCE)
- Volunteer
- Free
- Online or statewide
Get free training to help people in your community prepare their taxes at no cost.
Who it's for: Open to everyone. Sign-up steps and age limits vary.
Meals on Wheels: Volunteer
- Volunteer
- Free
- Online or statewide
Deliver meals and a friendly visit to older neighbors, on a schedule that fits yours.
Who it's for: Open to everyone. Sign-up steps and age limits vary.
Medical Reserve Corps
- Volunteer
- Free
- Online or statewide
Community volunteers, medical and non-medical, who help their neighborhoods prepare for and respond to emergencies.
Who it's for: Open to everyone. Sign-up steps and age limits vary.
Points of Light Engage
- Volunteer
- Free
- Online or statewide
Search volunteer projects and events near you, or start a project of your own.
Who it's for: Open to everyone. Sign-up steps and age limits vary.
United Way: Volunteer
- Volunteer
- Free
- Online or statewide
Find your local United Way to volunteer on community projects and food drives, or to help families get on solid financial footing.
Who it's for: Open to everyone. Sign-up steps and age limits vary.
Volunteer.gov
- Volunteer
- Free
- Online or statewide
Volunteer on public lands, such as national parks, forests and wildlife refuges.
Who it's for: Open to everyone. Sign-up steps and age limits vary.