Youth accepted into the program will work and participate in mandatory educational activities for 20 hours per week at an assigned worksite. Youth will earn at least the New York State minimum wage. The 2026 program is slated to run from June 28 through August 28.
Qualifications
- Applicants must be an Erie County resident.
- Applicants must be between the ages of 14 and 20 years old.
- Household must meet income eligibility requirements.
The following documents were required to determine program eligibility: Completed TANF Youth Services Application, complete Pre-Employment Interest Questionnaire and completed and signed Consent for Release of Information Form. The deadline for applying for the 2026 SYEP was June 5, 2026.
Youth between the ages of 14 and 17 were required to bring their original Working Papers to the interview.
Family member's income must be less than 200% of the Federal Poverty Level. Below is the FPL Guidelines Chart for June 1, 2026 through May 31, 2027 --
| Household Size | Monthly Income | Annual Income |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $2,660 | $31,920 |
| 2 | $3,607 | $43,280 |
| 3 | $4,553 | $54,640 |
| 4 | $5,500 | $66,000 |
| 5 | $6,447 | $77,360 |
| 6 | $7,393 | $88,720 |
| 7 | $8,340 | $100,080 |
| 8 | $9,287 | $111,440 |