New York Kinship Navigator — How to Use the Free Helpline and Resources
What the Kinship Navigator Does
The New York State Kinship Navigator is a statewide information and referral service funded by the Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS). It connects relative caregivers — grandparents, aunts, uncles, siblings, fictive kin — with legal fact sheets, county-specific resource directories, and phone consultations.
Phone: 1-877-454-6463 (toll-free, statewide) Website: nysnavigator.org
The Navigator covers all 62 counties. Whether you are in Manhattan or rural St. Lawrence County, the same helpline serves you.
What the Navigator Cannot Do
The Navigator is an information service, not a benefits agency. It does not:
- Issue benefit payments or make eligibility determinations
- Fill out applications on your behalf
- Provide legal representation in court proceedings
- Serve as your caseworker or case manager
It points you in the right direction, but you still file the applications and attend the interviews yourself.
How to Get the Most from a Call
Helpline consultations run within a limited window. Calling with organized information gets you better answers faster.
Before you call, write down:
- Your county (determines which DSS office and which programs apply)
- The child's age (affects eligibility for specific programs)
- Your care arrangement — informal (no court order), Article 6 custody, Article 10 placement, or certified foster care
- What benefits you already receive (child-only grant, SNAP, Medicaid)
- Your specific question — "Can I get CCAP childcare without working?" is better than "What help is available?"
The Navigator can then match you to the right county office, tell you which applications to file, and flag programs you may have missed.
Free Download
Get the New York Kinship Benefits Checklist
Everything in this article as a printable checklist — plus action plans and reference guides you can start using today.
Other Key Resources
The Kinship Navigator is the front door, but New York has a deeper network:
Legal Aid Society (NYC): Legal services and resources for low-income New Yorkers. Call 212-577-3300 to learn which services may be available for your issue.
LawHelpNY: Statewide directory of free legal aid providers and self-help court forms. lawhelpny.org.
Empire Justice Center: Fair Hearing technical assistance and public benefit advocacy. Offices across upstate New York.
AFFCNY (Adoptive and Foster Family Coalition of New York): Specialized kinship care support, KinGAP guidance, and helpline services. affcny.org.
Grandparent Resource Center: DFTA Community Advocates provide one-on-one case assistance, support groups, trainings, and workshops through all 15 Mayor's Action Plan developments. For referrals and other city aging resources, call NYC Aging Connect at 212-244-6469.
211: Dial 2-1-1 from any phone for general human services referrals, including emergency food, shelter, and utility assistance.
When the Navigator Is Most Useful
The Navigator shines in three situations:
You just started caring for a child and do not know where to begin. The Navigator can map the programs available in your county and tell you which applications to file first.
You have been denied a benefit and are not sure why. The Navigator can explain the eligibility rules and point you to legal aid for a Fair Hearing.
You need a county-specific referral. Support groups, respite care, emergency assistance — the Navigator maintains local directories that are difficult to find through general web searches.
For a comprehensive map of every financial program — cash, food, health, childcare, tax credits, heating assistance, and appeals — with step-by-step application instructions, see the complete New York kinship benefits guide.
Get Your Free New York Kinship Benefits Checklist
Download the New York Kinship Benefits Checklist — a printable guide with checklists, scripts, and action plans you can start using today.