New York State Department of Family Assistance

The New York State Department of Family Assistance (DFA), also known as the Department of Family Services, is a department of the New York state government. Its regulations are compiled in title 18 of the New York Codes, Rules and Regulations.

It is composed of two autonomous offices:


 * the New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA)
 * the Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS)

Welfare Management System
The New York (state) Welfare Management System receives, maintains and processes information relating to persons who apply for benefits, or who are determined to be eligible for benefits under any program administered by the department.

Fair hearings
Administrative reviews ("Fair Hearings") of decisions by a local social services agency are handled by the OTDA Office of Administrative Hearings.

A Rivera request, also known as an evidence packet request, is the document (labeled W-186A) used for requesting evidence relating to a NYC Human Resources Administration fair hearing pursuant to the stipulation and settlement in Rivera v. Bane.

History
In 1867 a Board of State Commissioners of Public Charities was created to visit and examine into the affairs of all charitable institutions. In 1875 the Children's Law removed children from poorhouses. In 1894 a constitutional convention enacted a provision requiring the Legislature to establish a State Board of Charities to visit and inspect all institutions. In 1909 the Poor Law was consolidated in chapter 42, and the State Charities Law in chapter 55, of the Consolidated Laws of New York. The Public Welfare Law superseded the Poor Law in 1929. In 1931 they were renamed as the Department of Social Welfare and the State Board of Social Welfare. In 1940 the State Charities Law and the Public Welfare Law were consolidated and clarified in one Social Welfare Law. In 1967 it was renamed as the Department of Social Services.

On August 20, 1997, Governor Pataki signed the Welfare Reform Act of 1997 that, in relevant part, renamed it as the Department of Family Assistance, and also divided the department into Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA) and the State Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS). These two offices assumed many of DSS' functions. Other functions of the former DSS were transferred to the Department of Labor and the Department of Health. In addition, as part of the reorganization of State government, OCFS assumed all of the functions of the Division for Youth (DFY).