As a federally-funded program, young adults must meet certain eligibility requirements to participate in OSY. To accurately determine eligibility, prospective participants must meet with OSY intake staff at the program of their choice. The general eligibility requirements are outlined below. An individual must be: 

• between the ages of 16-21;
• a New York City resident;
• out of school
• have a barrier to completing an educational program or to obtaining and keeping employment; and
• a low-income individual as defined by the Workforce Investment Act. This is determined by looking at the family’s income. However, some individuals are automatically considered low-income. This includes any youth who:
  • receives, or is a member of a family that receives cash payments through an income-based public assistance program [such as Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), Safety Net, Refugee Assistance, Supplemental Security Income];
  • is a member of a household that receives food stamps;
  • is homeless;
  • is a foster child;
  • is a young adult with a disability whose own income meets the income eligibility requirements even if their family’s income does not.