Economic Security
Public Assistance Recipients

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Source: New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance

What does this measure?

The average percentage of people of all ages receiving public assistance each month. This includes both major welfare programs: Family Assistance and Safety Net. Safety Net covers single adults, children living without their parents, and others not eligible for Family Assistance.

Why is this important?

This measure represents the numbers of individuals dependent upon government support for their basic needs.

How is our region performing?

In 2021, 1.2% of residents in the region received public assistance on average each month, compared to 2.3% in the state. Rates in the region have been declining since 2014 and the number of people receiving assistance has dropped by almost a third to just over 15,000 in 2021. Among counties, Monroe and Orleans had the highest rates of assistance, at 1.5% and 1.7% respectively. In Monroe County, this was a decline from 4.5% in 2014.

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.

People Receiving Temporary Assistance
200120022003200420052006200720082009201020112012201320142015201620172018201920202021
NYS3.6%3.2%3.2%3.3%3.2%3.0%2.8%2.7%2.7%2.8%2.9%2.9%2.9%2.9%2.9%2.9%2.8%2.7%2.5%2.4%2.3%
NYS (excluding NYC)1.8%1.7%1.7%1.8%1.7%1.6%1.5%1.5%1.6%1.8%2.0%2.0%2.0%2.1%2.0%1.8%1.7%1.5%1.4%1.2%0.9%
Region3.1%3.0%3.0%3.2%3.1%3.0%2.9%2.8%2.8%3.0%3.2%3.2%3.3%3.4%3.1%2.8%2.6%2.3%1.9%1.7%1.2%
Monroe4.3%4.1%4.1%4.5%4.3%4.1%4.0%3.9%3.9%4.1%4.3%4.4%4.5%4.5%4.1%3.7%3.4%2.9%2.4%2.1%1.5%
Surrounding Counties1.2%1.2%1.2%1.3%1.3%1.2%1.1%1.0%1.1%1.2%1.3%1.3%1.5%1.6%1.5%1.4%1.4%1.3%1.1%1.0%0.8%
Genesee1.0%0.9%1.0%1.1%1.1%1.2%1.0%1.0%1.0%0.9%1.0%1.0%1.1%1.1%1.0%1.0%1.1%1.0%0.9%0.7%0.6%
Livingston1.6%1.7%1.8%1.8%1.6%1.4%0.9%1.1%1.4%1.6%1.8%1.9%2.4%2.5%2.3%2.2%2.1%1.8%1.5%1.2%0.9%
Ontario1.1%1.2%1.2%1.3%1.3%1.3%1.2%1.1%1.1%1.3%1.3%1.3%1.3%1.4%1.4%1.3%1.2%1.3%1.1%1.0%0.9%
Orleans2.4%2.3%2.0%2.1%2.0%2.1%2.1%2.0%2.2%2.5%2.7%2.7%2.9%3.2%2.9%2.8%2.6%2.5%2.4%2.2%1.7%
Seneca1.0%0.9%1.0%0.9%0.8%0.7%0.6%0.6%0.7%0.7%0.7%0.9%1.2%1.5%1.5%1.3%1.2%1.1%1.1%0.9%0.8%
Wayne0.9%1.0%1.1%1.1%1.2%1.1%1.0%0.9%1.0%1.1%1.1%1.1%1.2%1.2%1.2%1.1%1.1%1.0%0.9%0.9%0.7%
Wyoming0.8%0.6%0.7%0.6%0.7%0.8%0.8%0.7%0.8%0.8%0.8%0.8%0.8%0.8%0.8%0.9%0.7%0.7%0.6%0.5%0.5%
Yates0.6%0.7%0.8%1.1%1.1%0.9%0.7%0.7%0.7%0.6%0.6%0.9%0.9%1.0%1.0%1.0%0.9%0.7%0.7%0.9%0.9%

Source: New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance
Notes: Comparable national data were not available.




Number of People Receiving Temporary Assistance
200120022003200420052006200720082009201020112012201320142015201620172018201920202021
NYS688,547620,518612,422629,063604,922572,151530,916510,160529,404547,600565,224570,095578,482565,859573,563564,208546,013520,339476,864486,038464,233
NYS (excluding NYC)196,270187,773188,478195,129188,913180,227171,503170,024184,174202,886219,044222,079228,511230,154220,633202,597187,203170,903151,448131,836102,558
Region37,33235,81036,41039,05637,64236,01534,52933,90934,62935,97938,56838,91940,58940,83937,67834,22331,32827,44623,35520,40915,085
Monroe31,89430,26430,59333,00931,73830,27729,47029,04029,31030,19432,39632,60433,64933,44830,73627,58625,07721,56218,10515,70711,202
Surrounding Counties5,4385,5465,8176,0475,9045,7385,0594,8695,3195,7856,1726,3156,9407,3916,9426,6376,2515,8845,2504,7023,883
Genesee590552616673667694611582576549598620634622569596610593504402339
Livingston1,0381,1071,1571,1741,0489206156909121,0191,1481,2371,5281,6451,4981,3801,3091,109913764573
Ontario1,0751,1861,2801,3801,3621,3541,2621,1491,2171,3671,4661,4311,4601,5471,4841,4271,3501,3811,2121,119964
Orleans1,0549948779198619029058619411,0791,1641,1241,2341,3511,2071,1591,0731,030968890689
Seneca331301340323283253212220247261243322434527533438414371382291286
Wayne8449571,0681,0381,1001,0289198909321,0191,0681,0261,0761,1051,0731,042985946849784599
Wyoming359266282264312352352304318340338327344334315354297275247217201
Yates147183197276271235183173176151147228230260263241213179175235232

Source: New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance
Notes: Comparable national data were not available.











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
Prenatal Care 78% 2019 3 1
Increasing
Prenatal Care, by Race/Ethnicity 0 10 Not Applicable*
Babies Born with Low Birth Weights 8.4% 2019 2 1
Increasing
Babies Born with Low Birth Weights, Race/Ethnicity 0 10 Not Applicable*
Infant Mortality Rate 6.9 2017-19 2 0
Maintaining
Infant Mortality Rate, Race/Ethnicity 0 10 Not Applicable*
Children with Elevated Blood Lead Levels 0.8% 2019 2 -1
Decreasing
Children in Poverty 18% 2017-21 3 1
Increasing
Children in Poverty, Race/Ethnicity 2017-21 0 10 Not Applicable*
Single-Parent Families 39% 2017-21 2 1
Increasing
Single-Parent Families, by Race/Ethnicity 2017-21 0 10 Not Applicable*
Rate of Child Abuse and Neglect 20 2020 2 1
Increasing
Rate of Foster Care Admissions 1.8 2020 2 -1
Decreasing
Rate of Teen Pregnancy 1.3% 2019 3 -1
Decreasing
Rate of Teen Births 12 2019 2 -1
Decreasing
Tourism Spending $1,399 2021 1 0
Maintaining
Recreation Spending $83 2021 1 -1
Decreasing
Voter Registration Rate 84% 2021 2 1
Increasing
Voter Participation Rate 64% 2020 3 1
Increasing
Registered Library Borrowers 55% 2020 3 -1
Decreasing
Library Visits 2.5 2020 3 -1
Decreasing
Charitable Contributions as a Percentage of Income 0.8% 2020 2 -1
Decreasing
Households Without Vehicles 10% 2017-21 3 0
Maintaining
Total Population 1.4% 2021 2 1
Increasing
Means of Transportation to Work 2017-21 0 10 Not Applicable*
Population by Age 2017-21 0 10 Not Applicable*
Workers’ Commute Time, by Means of Transportation to Work 2017-21 0 10 Not Applicable*
Population by Race/Ethnicity 2017-21 0 10 Not Applicable*
Crashes Involving Pedestrians 2.6 2022 3 0
Maintaining
Population by Age and Race/Ethnicity 2017-21 0 10 Not Applicable*
Crashes Involving Cyclists 1.4 2022 3 -1
Decreasing
Disengaged Youth, Ages 16 to 19 6% 2017-21 3 -1
Decreasing
Vehicle Crashes Resulting in Injuries and Fatalities 60 2022 3 -1
Decreasing
Median Household Income $64,995 2017-21 1 -1
Decreasing
Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) 24 2022 2 -1
Decreasing
Median Household Income, by Race/Ethnicity 2017-21 0 10 Not Applicable*
Miles of Dedicated Bike Infrastructure 2023 0 10 Not Applicable*
People Living in Poverty 13% 2017-21 3 1
Increasing
RTS Ridership 8 2022 0 -1
Decreasing
People Living in Poverty, by Race/Ethnicity 2017-21 0 10 Not Applicable*
People Living in Poverty, by Sex 2017-21 0 10 Not Applicable*
RTS On-time Performance 0 10 Not Applicable*
Greenhouse Gas Emissions 23.7 2018 0 10 Not Applicable*
Public Assistance Recipients 1.2% 2021 3 -1
Decreasing
Energy Burden of Households 0 10 Not Applicable*
Approval Rate for Public Assistance Applications 22% 2021 0 -1
Decreasing
Females Living in Poverty, by Race/Ethnicity 2017-21 0 10 Not Applicable*
Solar Energy Capacity 122.8 2022 3 1
Increasing
Seniors Living in Poverty, by Sex 2017-21 0 10 Not Applicable*
Households Receiving SNAP 13% 2017-21 3 -1
Decreasing
Households Receiving SNAP by Race/Ethnicity 2017-21 0 10 Not Applicable*
Female Seniors Living in Poverty, by Race/Ethnicity 2017-21 0 10 Not Applicable*
Gas Usage for Household Heating 74% 2017-21 1 -1
Decreasing
Clean Energy Workforce 4.7% 2021 3 1
Increasing
Tax Filers Receiving Earned Income Tax Credit 14% 2020 3 -1
Decreasing
Clean Energy Communities 2023 0 10 Not Applicable*
EITC Dollars $153 2020 2 -1
Decreasing
Electric Vehicles (EV) Charging Ports 165 2023 0 -1
Decreasing
Change in Total Jobs 2.3% 2021 2 1
Increasing
Asthma Hospitalizations 0 10 Not Applicable*
Change in Number of Business Establishments by Sector 2021 0 10 Not Applicable*
Food Deserts 35% 2019 1 10 Not Applicable*
Change in Jobs by Sector 2021 0 10 Not Applicable*
Food Deserts in Low-Income Areas 20% 2019 1 10 Not Applicable*
Sector Shares of Regional Total Employment 2021 0 10 Not Applicable*
Unemployment Rate 4.9% 2021 3 1
Increasing
Unemployment Rate by Race/Ethnicity 2017-21 0 10 Not Applicable*
Average Salary by Sector 2021 0 10 Not Applicable*
Change in Average Salary Since 2000 12% 2021 3 1
Increasing
Change in Average Salary Since 2000 by Sector 2021 0 10 Not Applicable*
Employment-to-Population Ratio 59% 2017-21 3 -1
Decreasing
Prekindergarten Participation 41% 2021 2 1
Increasing
School Spending Per Student $23,561 2020 1 1
Increasing
Instructional Spending Per Student $16,983 2020 1 1
Increasing
Students Receiving Special Education Services 2021 0 -1
Decreasing
Grade 3 English 37% 2022 2 1
Increasing
Grade 3 English by Student Subgroup 2022 0 10 Not Applicable*
Grade 3 English by Race/Ethnicity 2022 0 10 Not Applicable*
Grade 3 Math 40% 2022 2 1
Increasing
Grade 3 Math by Student Subgroup 2022 0 10 Not Applicable*
Grade 3 Math by Race/Ethnicity 2022 0 10 Not Applicable*
Grade 8 English 39% 2019 2 1
Increasing
Grade 8 English by Student Subgroup 2019 0 10 Not Applicable*
Grade 8 English by Race/Ethnicity 2019 0 10 Not Applicable*
Grade 8 Math 49% 2019 2 1
Increasing
Regents Algebra 1 73% 2019 3 1
Increasing
Regents English 83% 2019 2 1
Increasing
Four-Year Cohort Graduation Rate 88% 2022 3 1
Increasing
Cohort Graduation Rate, Beyond Four Years 90% 2022 3 1
Increasing
Four-Year Cohort Graduation Rate by Race/Ethnicity 2022 0 10 Not Applicable*
Education Levels of Adults 2017-21 0 10 Not Applicable*
Education Levels of Adults by Race/Ethnicity 2017-21 0 10 Not Applicable*
People Without Health Insurance 5% 2020 3 -1
Decreasing
Supply of Doctors 35.3 2019 1 1
Increasing
Mortality Rate 693 2019 1 -1
Decreasing
Chlamydia Rate 53 2020 2 1
Increasing
Chlamydia Rates, Race/Ethnicity, Monroe County 0 10 Not Applicable*
Gonorrhea Rate 37 2020 1 1
Increasing
Maternal Health, by Race/Ethnicity 2018-20 0 10 Not Applicable*
Gonorrhea Rates, Race/Ethnicity, Monroe County 0 10 Not Applicable*
Early Syphilis Rates 2.8 2020 3 1
Increasing
Early Syphilis Rates within Monroe County, by Race/Ethnicity 0 10 Not Applicable*
People Living with HIV 105 2021 0 1
Increasing
People Living with HIV by Race/Ethnicity 2021 0 10 Not Applicable*
People Living with AIDS 124 2021 0 1
Increasing
People Living with AIDS by Race/Ethnicity 2021 0 10 Not Applicable*
Percent of Days with Good Air Quality 0 10 Not Applicable*
Alcohol-related Crashes 2.7 2021 2 -1
Decreasing
Admissions to Substance Abuse Treatment by Primary Substance 2021 0 10 Not Applicable*
Median Home Value $151,405 2017-21 1 1
Increasing
Median Rental Prices $936 2017-21 3 -1
Decreasing
Housing Affordability for Homeowners 2.3 2017-21 3 0
Maintaining
Housing Affordability for Homeowners by Race/Ethnicity 2017-21 0 10 Not Applicable*
Overall Housing Cost Burden 28% 2017-21 3 -1
Decreasing
Housing Affordability for Renters 32% 2017-21 3 10 Not Applicable*
Rent Burdened Households 48% 2017-21 3 -1
Decreasing
Housing Affordability for Renters by Race/Ethnicity 2017-21 0 10 Not Applicable*
Homeownership Rate 68% 2017-21 3 -1
Decreasing
Homeownership Rate by Race/Ethnicity 2017-21 0 10 Not Applicable*
Vacant Housing Units 9% 2017-21 3 1
Increasing
Homeless Persons 0 10 Not Applicable*
Serious Crimes 165 2021 3 -1
Decreasing
Violent Crimes 25 2021 3 1
Increasing
Victims of Domestic Violence 59 2021 0 -1
Decreasing
Incarceration Rates 10.0 2021 0 -1
Decreasing
Incarceration Rates, by Race/Ethnicity 2018 0 10 Not Applicable*
Arrest Rates 125.2 2021 3 -1
Decreasing
Arrest Rates, by Race/Ethnicity 2021 0 10 Not Applicable*
Per-Capita Spending for Local Government $3,731 2019 0 1
Increasing
Female to Male Earnings Ratio 0.70 2017-21 3 0
Maintaining
*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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