You can also meet the requirement by doing volunteer work. You can volunteer at a Community Based Organization registered with New York City’s HRA for 20 hours per week or 80 hours per month. The organization will report your hours and you will maintain your eligibility. SOMOS is a registered Community Based Organization so you can meet your volunteer requirements through SOMOS. 

Persons between ages of 18 and 64 must meet the requirements. 

Persons with dependents 16 years old or older must meet the work requirement. 

Persons with dependents 14 years old or under do not have to meet the work/volunteer requirements. 

These are changes from the previous exemptions so please be sure to check if you meet these. 

No, not everybody needs to meet these requirements. Some people under certain conditions will maintain their benefits and do not need to do anything. If you meet any of the conditions below, you do not need to do anything to maintain your benefits: 

• Students or person in a training program for more than 20 hours per week.  

• Have a physical or mental health condition – You will need to submit a doctor’s statement certifying this disability. 

• Are pregnant 

• Have a dependent under under 14 years old 

• Are working 30+ hours/week 

• Are in school or training (half-time or more) 

• Are in substance use treatment 

• Are caring for a child under 6 or an incapacitated person 

• Receive SSI, SSD, VA disability, or similar benefits 

You may reapply, but you have to show that you have met the work requirement for 30 days. You will need to continue the work/volunteer requirement in order to maintain the benefits.