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Resources

NYC Free Tax Prep

If you earned $72,000 or less in 2021, use NYC Free Tax Prep to file for free and keep your whole refund. Learn more about NYC Free Tax Prep.


The State of Workers' Rights in New York City

Public hearings and research are part of our initiative to build a new generation of workplace protections for New York City. Learn more about the state of workers' rights including video testimonials from workers.


Know Your Rights Virtual Town Hall for Workers

On April 14, 2020, DCA participated in the Know Your Rights Virtual Town Hall for Workers to discuss resources and information on workplace laws available to workers in New York City during COVID-19. Watch the full town hall here.


Demanding Rights in an On-Demand Economy

The Freelance Isn’t Free Act, the first law of its kind in the country, took effect on May 15, 2017 – giving freelance workers the legal right to written contracts, timely payment, and freedom from retaliation. In its first year, DCA received 299 inquiries about the law and 264 complaints from freelancers. The most common allegations were for payment violations (98 percent), including late payment and non-payment for services. To date, DCA has assisted freelancers in recovering $254,866 in lost wages. DCA will use the report’s findings to strengthen outreach and education of this critical workplace law to workers and hiring parties alike.


Reports on Paid Care Workers in New York City

DCA’s Office of Labor Policy & Standards (OLPS) houses the Paid Care Division, the only governmental office in the United States charged with raising job standards in care industries. On March 27, 2018, DCA released a report titled, “Lifting up Paid Care Work: Year One of New York City’s Paid Care Division,” which provides an analysis of what the City’s Paid Care Division has learned, model standards for paid care jobs, an overview of its accomplishments, and a roadmap for action it plans to take in the years to come as the Paid Care Division concludes its first year. In partnership with Ruth Milkman of The City University of New York, DCA also released the “Making Paid Care Work Visible” report, which, using focus group and survey results, details the concerns of New York City’s home-based paid care workers whose voices are too often unheard or disregarded by policymakers or by the wider public. Home-based paid care work is a rapidly growing field of employment in New York City and across the nation; paid care workers provide essential care to children, the elderly and disabled, as well as basic services like house cleaning. Yet this type of work is notorious for low pay and status, leaving workers economically insecure, vulnerable, and disrespected. Together, the reports provide critical insight into the growing need for OLPS’ role in the development of innovative policies that raise job standards, and for the Paid Care Division to expand its outreach and educational resources to workers and employers alike in its second year.


Low-Cost Health Insurance

The NYC Human Resources Administration can help you find health insurance and care that meets your needs and budget. Call 311, text CoveredNYC (or SeguroNYC) to 877877, visit nyc.gov/health to find a Health Department Certified Application Counselor for free in-person help.


NYC Financial Empowerment Centers

NYC Financial Empowerment Centers offer free one-on-one professional financial counseling. The service is confidential, and our professional counselors speak multiple languages. Learn more about NYC Financial Empowerment Centers.


NYS Department of Labor

The NYS Department of Labor enforces the State Labor Law for minimum wage, hours of work, child labor, payment of wages and wage supplements, migrant farm labor, and conditions in the garment industry. The agency protect workers, assist the unemployed and connect job seekers to jobs. Learn more about the NYS Department of Labor.


NYS Workers' Compensation Board

Workers' compensation is insurance that provides cash benefits and/or medical care for workers who are injured or become ill as a direct result of their job. Disability benefits are temporary cash benefits paid to eligible wage earners, when workers are disabled by an off the job injury or illness. Learn more about the NYS Workers' Compensation Board.