Public Assistance for Immigrants With TPS

New Yorkers with Temporary Protected Status (TPS) may be eligible for New York safety net benefits in the form of direct cash payments. Under Karamalla v. Devine, a 2018 class-action case, New Yorkers with TPS who were denied public assistance on the basis of their immigration status between June 17, 2012, and October 14, 2016, may also be eligible for retroactive benefits.

Potential members of this class action suit should have received a notice in August 2019 or May 2021 that they may be eligible for retroactive benefits. If you work with someone you believe was eligible, but did not receive a notice they can still apply to their county Department of Social Services for retroactive benefits. To be eligible for retroactive safety net benefits under Karamalla, a person must:

•Live in New York State and have TPS;

•Be currently receiving cash assistance payments; and

•Have applied for and were denied cash assistance payments between June 17, 2012, and October 14, 2016, because of their immigration status.

If you are an advocate with a client who may meet these eligibility criteria, you can contact the Empire Justice Center with any questions at 518-935-2695 or PublicAssistanceTPS@empirejustice.org.