Employment services providers will work closely with you to find opportunities that match your needs, skills, and career goals. You can get help with:

• Exploring career options
• Education and free training programs
• Internships
• Community Service opportunities
• Connecting to childcare services
• Skill based trainings
• Apprenticeships
• Subsidized Job Placement Programs

Employment services are provided through the following programs:

• CareerCompass
• CareerAdvance
• YouthPathways
• Business Link
• Job Plus Programs
• Work Progress Program

Online

Visit HRA's Career Services page.

Learn more about Business Link.

Register to receive job opening alerts through TXT-2-Work or by email.

By Phone

Public Assistance clients who can work are scheduled for an employment services appointment. Clients will get their appointment information in one of two ways:

• a notice in the mail, or
• a referral from their Benefits Access Center (formerly known as Job Center)

Clients are required to keep their appointments and fulfill program requirements for up to 35 hours each week. If you do not, your Cash Assistance benefits or SNAP (Food Stamps) benefits may be lowered or stopped.

If you cannot make an upcoming appointment, call the telephone number on your appointment notice before the appointment date. Your employment service provider can reschedule, if possible.

All Public Assistance applicants and participants must participate in employment activities unless they are exempted. 

Clients who claim a physical, or mental health barrier to employment are referred to the WeCARE (Wellness, Comprehensive Assessment, Rehabilitation, and Employment) program for assessment. WeCARE providers offer services to help clients reach self-sufficiency.

If you miss a work related appointment or assignment without good reason, your case may be sanctioned. A sanction means your benefits may be lowered or stopped.

HRA will mail you a notice about the ability to have a conciliation or re-engagement appointment to help stop your case from being sanctioned. If you get this notice, do not ignore it.

You can contact HRA by email, phone, or by going in person to request a conciliation or re-engagement appointment. You should make this request before the date that is listed on your notice under the question "What do you need to do."

Learn more about conciliation or re-engagement appointments.

By Email

Send an email to the email address listed on your notice. Be sure to include your full name, case number, or Client Identification Number (CIN), and a phone number where you can be reached.

In Person

Report to the address listed on your notice.

By Phone

A Career Services provider can help you explore and connect to many free training and education opportunities.

Educational opportunities include:

• High School Equivalency Programs
• Certificate Programs
• Two- and Four-Year College
• Training Programs

HRA works closely with the City University of New York (CUNY) to provide opportunities to HRA clients.

CUNY Educate Develop Graduate Empower (EDGE) is a joint program designed to help HRA clients enrolled at CUNY schools with academic counseling, support, and employment services so they can succeed in their studies and graduate in a timely manner.

If you are signing up for training or education programs on your own, be sure to check the program details. Pay close attention to program costs, especially if the program is asking you to take out a loan, and graduation rates.

HRA cannot pay for tuition or fees for the programs you sign up for on your own.

HRA can help you fulfill your requirements, so you can continue to receive benefits. You can get help with transportation and childcare expenses.

If you sign up on your own, be sure to let HRA or your provider know, and an HRA staff member will contact you.

Learn more about HRA's Career Training/Education programs.