FAQ

The State Fiscal Year 2023-24 New York State Enacted Budget appropriates Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) funds to support the 2023 New York State Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP).

Since 2005, OTDA has administered the SYEP and has allocated funds to each district to provide summer employment opportunities for youth throughout the State.

Employers interested in providing opportunities for youth placements through the SYEP must complete a Worksite Application form and enter into a worksite agreement with Buffalo Urban League.

The worksite must adopt sexual harassment prevention policy incompliance with NYS requirements.

The worksite must maintain a minimum ratio of 1 supervisor to 10 youth workers.

Youth workers must not displace any current employees.

Youth participants receive $15.20 per hour paid directly to them by the SYEP community agency and will be covered under the SYEP community agency's Workers’ Compensation.

Worksites will be notified by community agency when all required documentation has been completed.

Worksite representative must also attend a mandatory orientation to participate.

Efforts will be made to match a youth with sites that are accepted into the program.

• Erie County Resident
• Age 14-20 years old
• Meet income eligibility guidelines-200% Federal Poverty Level or the youth applicant receives Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
• Original Working Papers are required for all youth ages 14-17 years old, and they must be submitted at the SYEP interview. Working Paper applications can be obtained at school through the school Guidance Counselor.

Program slots are limited. Placement will be based on youth circumstances and household income.

Income earned from the Summer Youth Employment Program affects benefits as follows:

Temporary Assistance (TA)

• SYEP participant is a TA household member -the SYEP income is not budgeted.
• SYEP participant is a TA head of household -the SYEP income must be reported timely and would be budgeted.

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

• SYEP participant is a SNAP household member -for youth ages of 18-20, the SYEP income must be disclosed at the next case re-certification. The SYEP income is exempt until the month after the individual turns 18 years old.
• SYEP participant is a SNAP head of household -the SYEP income must be reported timely and would be budgeted.

Medicaid

• SYEP participant is a MA household member -the SYEP income is not budgeted.
• SYEP participant is a MA head of household -the SYEP income would not be budgeted under Medicaid MAGI rules.

Child Care Assistance

• SYEP participant is a household member but not included in the Child Care Service Unit Case - the SYEP income is not budgeted.
• The SYEP participant is 17 years of age and under and included in the Child Care Services Unit case. The SYEP income is not budgeted. 
• SYEP participant is an applicant and a parent of a child in the Child Care Service Unit - the SYEP income must be reported timely and would be budgeted.
• SYEP participant is a recipient and is a parent of a child in the Child Care Services Unit - the SYEP income must be reported timely and the participant will continue to receive Child Care Assistance for the remainder of the 12-month Child Care Eligibility Period unless the family income exceeds 85 percent of the State Median Income.