Economic Security

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Source: New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance

What does this measure?

The percentage of all public assistance applications that are approved. County governments (except in New York City) approve or deny applications for public assistance.

Why is this important?

This measure represents the numbers of individuals who were seeking, and ultimately received, government support for their basic needs.

How is our region performing?

In 2021, 22% of all public assistance applications were approved in our region, lower than the statewide rate of 34% (excluding NYC). Approval rates varied widely in our region, as high as 53% in Yates and as low as 17% in Monroe in 2021. Monroe has consistently had the lowest approval rate in the region, averaging 22% since 2000. Generally, approval rates have declined since 2000, falling by 12 percentage points in the region and 14 points in the state (excluding NYC). Orleans experienced the largest drop in its approved application rate, falling 31 points from 77% in 2000 to 46% in 2021. Wyoming and Yates were exceptions, with increases over the same period.

Notes about the data

National data were not available in comparable form. Data do not necessarily reflect the actual number of people eligible for this benefit, only those who receive it. New York State figures exclude New York City. Data for this indicator are expected to be released in the third quarter.

Approval Rate for Public Assistance Applications
2000200120022003200420052006200720082009201020112012201320142015201620172018201920202021
NYS (excluding NYC)48%46%44%42%43%42%42%41%41%41%41%41%40%39%39%40%40%40%39%38%36%34%
Region34%29%26%24%24%24%24%24%26%26%28%30%30%29%27%26%26%26%25%24%24%22%
Monroe31%24%21%19%18%19%20%19%21%21%25%26%26%25%24%23%22%22%21%19%19%17%
Surrounding Counties49%50%49%46%46%45%43%42%45%43%44%45%45%43%40%39%41%42%41%41%41%38%
Genesee35%36%31%30%29%30%29%29%24%21%29%36%39%36%36%41%40%40%40%35%37%29%
Livingston43%52%57%58%59%56%52%63%67%71%73%72%64%51%42%42%42%44%34%34%33%30%
Ontario49%50%55%50%53%47%43%46%45%40%42%39%40%40%38%38%43%44%45%47%47%42%
Orleans77%76%72%59%60%62%62%63%70%70%67%65%65%64%63%58%50%58%60%57%59%46%
Seneca47%27%25%23%19%18%17%17%47%46%24%25%32%32%30%29%26%26%23%22%17%33%
Wayne57%60%50%49%46%46%43%33%33%32%37%41%35%34%31%33%42%40%38%39%38%35%
Wyoming42%35%25%26%29%31%39%42%41%42%42%40%39%38%34%40%51%44%55%45%51%45%
Yates33%41%47%44%48%43%37%30%24%18%22%31%46%44%43%29%28%15%38%35%53%53%

Source: New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance
Notes: National data were not available in comparable form. Figures calculated as total approved applications out of total applications submitted.




Number of Approved Public Assistance Applications
2000200120022003200420052006200720082009201020112012201320142015201620172018201920202021
NYS (excluding NYC)99,66697,77297,43099,352100,73698,72897,60596,599100,876109,885111,626114,671112,655111,807112,730105,78299,54993,95588,86081,18857,90454,939
Region14,57813,29712,66012,10611,87212,38512,01911,46314,09314,33414,03714,46314,95815,42014,53913,50712,71711,84811,1799,9727,5936,658
Monroe10,8159,3308,2637,7067,2947,9637,8567,7778,9759,1119,7289,98410,52110,71010,0569,3668,6077,8497,2366,2494,6783,904
Surrounding Counties3,7633,9674,3974,4004,5784,4224,1633,6865,1185,2234,3094,4794,4374,7104,4834,1414,1103,9993,9433,7232,9152,754
Genesee351381336357382372356358325306393465528502427416365380404323257212
Livingston7709151,0281,0561,018974815505706818819864815880805693685705543526423328
Ontario7749291,0631,0481,1931,1771,1541,1121,2341,1301,2341,1931,2211,2831,3371,1971,2751,3091,2921,3201,017939
Orleans697689834757796752723729735830849825719764779727640672625551409368
Seneca207137153144162127102911,3181,341137139196263264260209211213179120253
Wayne638545613667606618561469490454510575469518454485598507549521393370
Wyoming23523719021422121327028019723922021519921215316417612214612610494
Yates9113418015720018918214211310514720329028826419916293171177192190

Source: New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance
Notes: National data were not available in comparable form. Data do not necessarily reflect the actual number of people eligible for this benefit, only those who receive it.











Worse than NYS by 10% or more
Up to 10% worse than NYS
Equal to or better than NYS


INDICATORS - Grouped by Topic REGIONAL VALUE YEAR NYS COMPARISON TREND | REGION
*No or multiple regional values for this indicator


Worse than NYS by 10% or more
Up to 10% worse than NYS
Equal to or better than NYS





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