Your Guide to Fair Hearings and Public Benefits
If you disagree with a decision about your public benefits, you have the right to a Fair Hearing. This website helps New Yorkers understand and prepare for the fair hearing process with clear, practical information.
About Fair Hearings
This website mostly covers public assistance (cash or temporary assistance), temporary housing assistance, and SNAP. Fair Hearings on these issues are run by the New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA). OTDA conducts fair hearings on public benefit decisions and ensures people have a chance to appeal decisions about programs like SNAP, temporary housing assistance, Medicaid, and cash assistance.
Today, many hearings are conducted over the phone. Some might be held in person. A phone hearing can make participating easier for some people, but it can also feel confusing if you are representing yourself.
This website provides guidance to help people understand the process, know what to expect, and participate as fully as possible.
About This Website
This website was created by the Lawyering in the Digital Age Clinic at Columbia Law School, Empire Justice Center, The Legal Aid Society, and NYLAG. It is now maintained jointly by Legal Services NYC-Bronx, Empire Justice Center, The Legal Aid Society, and NYLAG. These organizations work together to help New Yorkers understand the Fair Hearing process and access the information they need to participate fully, including information about different public benefits programs.
