N.Y. Laws » CHAPTER Social Services / ARTICLE Assistance and Care / TITLE Public Assistance Employment Programs
New York Consolidated Laws

N.Y. Social Services Law § 331 (2026)

Policies and purposes

✓ text as retrieved May 2026 (this copy records no edition or section history)
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§ 331. Policies and purposes. 1. It is hereby declared to be the
policy of the state that there be programs under which individuals
receiving public assistance will be furnished work activities and
employment opportunities, and necessary services in order to secure
unsubsidized employment that will assist participants to achieve
economic independence. Such programs shall be established and operated
in accordance with the provisions of this title and in compliance with
federal and state law and regulations.
  2.  A social services district may contract or establish agreements
with entities which comply with the standards to be established in
regulations by the commissioner to provide work activities, including
but not limited to, job training partnership act agencies, state
agencies, school districts, boards of cooperative educational services,
not-for-profit community based organizations, licensed trade schools or
registered business schools, libraries, post-secondary educational
institutions consistent with this title, and educational opportunity
centers and local employers.  A district shall, to the extent
practicable and permitted under federal requirements, develop
performance based contracts or agreements with such entities.  Such
standards shall include an evaluation procedure to ensure that services
offered by a provider are sufficient to enhance substantially a
participant's opportunity to secure unsubsidized employment or, when
coupled with or provided in conjunction with other activities, represent
part of a comprehensive approach to enabling a participant to secure
unsubsidized employment.  Notwithstanding the provisions of section one
hundred fifty-three of this article, expenditures pursuant to contracts
or agreements with providers who do not meet the standards for approval
of providers as defined in regulations will not be eligible for
reimbursement by the department.
  3.  No social services district shall, in the exercising of the powers
and duties established in this title, permit discrimination on the basis
of race, color, national origin, sex, religion or handicap, in the
selection of participants, their assignment or reassignment to work
activities and duties, and the separate use of facilities or other
treatment of participants.
Notes of Decisions
Cited in 6 cases (1 in the last 5 years), 2000–2024 · leading case: Benjamin v. McGowan, 275 A.D.2d 290 (N.Y. App. Div. 1st Dep't 2000).
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Benjamin v. McGowan, 275 A.D.2d 290 (N.Y. App. Div. 1st Dep't 2000). “However, an exception is made where the recipient is a “single custodial parent caring for a child who has not attained 6 years of age, and the individual proves that [he or she] has a demonstrated inability (as determined by the State) to obtain needed child care” ( 42 USC §…”
Care v. Wing, 297 A.D.2d 809 (N.Y. App. Div. 2d Dep't 2002). “Social Services Law § 331). It is uncontroverted, however, that for the three years preceding the instant determination, the petitioner was exempt from otherwise applicable work requirements because she was the caretaker of her “invalid mother” (Social Services Law § 332 [1]…”
Cruz v. Doar, 46 Misc. 3d 499 (N.Y. Sup. Ct. 2013). · cites it 4× “Petitioner maintains that respondent’s requirement that petitioner appear for mandatory appointments that conflict with his known unsubsidized work schedule contravenes the aim of Social Services Law § 331 to assist petitioner to achieve economic independence and is both in…”
Matter of Covert v. Niagara Cnty., 172 A.D.3d 1686 (N.Y. App. Div. 3d Dep't 2019). “A recipient of public assistance may be required to participate in work activities, including work experience in the public sector ( see Social Services Law §§ 331, 336 [1] [d]) [FN1] .”
Matter of Andersen v. Hein, 230 A.D.3d 880 (N.Y. App. Div. 3d Dep't 2024). “New York expends state and local dollars to afford safety net assistance to certain financially needy individuals ( see Social Services Law §§ 157 [1]; 158 [1], [8]), but generally requires recipients to engage in work activities ( see Social Services Law §§ 331, 332, 336).…”
Hargrove v. Wing, 305 A.D.2d 412 (N.Y. App. Div. 2d Dep't 2003). “At all pertinent times, the petitioner was a recipient of safety net assistance benefits and food stamps from the Suffolk County Department of Social Services.”
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