NYC Benefits Platform: Dataset and Screening API

The Mayor's Office for Economic Opportunity

The Mayor's Office for Economic Opportunity


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ACCESS NYC
EquityNYC
Growing Up NYC
My File NYC
NYC Benefits Platform
Social Service Location Data
Worker Connect
Workforce Data Portal
Jobs NYC

ACCESS NYC

EquityNYC

Growing Up NYC

My File NYC

NYC Benefits Platform

Social Service Location Data

Worker Connect

Workforce Data Portal

Jobs NYC


NYC Benefits Platform: Dataset and Screening API

The NYC Benefits Platform supports organizations that make it easier for NYC residents to find a variety of benefits they may be eligible for through two open resources:

NYC Benefits and Programs Dataset: plain language, standardized public information for 100+ programs that power ACCESS NYC and other websites our office maintains

NYC Benefits Screening API: machine-readable logic and eligibility criteria for benefits screening that power the ACCESS NYC screening questionnaire

These two resources support and accelerate the development of new public benefits-related web applications and services.

The NYC Benefits and Programs Dataset

Standardized, plain language, and routinely updated information about social safety net related benefits and services.

Example Use Cases

Develop new websites or directory resources

Reduce the time and costs invested in developing and maintaining content

Key Features

Distinct data fields for information including:

Service or benefit offerings

How to apply for and/or receive services

Enrollment timelines

Customer service points of contact

Available in Access NYC's 11 designated languages

Updated and maintained regularly by NYC Opportunity and participating government agencies

As new social safety net benefits are available to NYC residents and added to NYC Opportunity's products, they will be available through the dataset

API access through NYC Open Data (via Socrata Open Data API)

Dataset content downloadable for offline use as CSV, RSS, and XML

Project Website

Visit the Benefits and Programs Dataset project website

The NYC Benefits Screening API

Enables the creation of new screening tools or integrations for public benefits screening using information available about residents. The Benefits Screening API:

Provides a holistic view of clients' potential eligibility based on existing information or through the development of new screening tools

Can help to inform and better target outreach initiatives (ex: direct marketing mailers or email, case worker outreach)

Reduces the time and costs invested in developing and maintaining eligibility criteria

Through the API, household data (i.e. information about a household's income, expenses, housing situation, etc.) can be compared against eligibility criteria for 40+ Federal, State, and Municipal benefits, programs and services. A screening result will then be produced, containing the potentially eligible benefit and program names and codes.

Key Features

Screening for 40+ Federal, State, and City programs (including SNAP, Cash Assistance, WIC, HEAP, and more)

Updated quarterly; eligibility criteria maintained by NYC Opportunity and participating government agencies

To mitigate potential privacy concerns, the API does not take in personally identifiable information (PII) like name, address, or date of birth

As new public benefits are added to ACCESS NYC's screener, they will be documented and available through the API

Option to submit data for screening in bulk by formatted CSV files.

Returns a list of program names and codes that can be used to reference data from the NYC Benefits and Programs Dataset

Project Website

Visit the NYC Benefits Screening API project website

Target Audience

Organizations that serve benefits-seeking NYC residents, including government agencies and community-based organizations

Civic Technology organizations delivering tools in this area

Watch Data in Action: Bridging the Public Benefits Enrollment Gap (NYC Open Data Week 2024)
Download the Bridging the Public Benefits Enrollment Gap Overview Slides

Project Partners

50+ units across City, State, and Federal Agencies

Technology Powering Benefits Screening API

The API is hosted on Amazon Web Services through the NYC Office of Technology and Innovation and is implemented with AWS Lambda for serverless architecture. This builds on the technology underlying ACCESS NYC, including the rules engine, which is built on the Drools Business Rules Management System.

Read More about the NYC Benefits Screening API

New York City releases API to clear up social service eligibility
Article | Smart Cities Dive | 4/17/2019

NYC Opportunity Launches the NYC Benefits Screening API
Blog | Mayor's Office for Economic Opportunity | 4/16/2019

Mayor's Office for Economic Opportunity Releases New York City's First-Ever Benefits Screening API
Press Release | Mayor's Office | 4/16/2019

New York City unveils benefits screening API
Article | State Scoop | 4/16/2019

New York City Demystifies Social Service Benefits Screening
Article | Government Technology | 4/15/2019

Three Takeaways from Open Data 2019
Blog Post | Code for America | 3/12/2019

Request Access and Learn About How It Works

Get Started with the Benefits Platform Screening API

Benefits and Programs Dataset