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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