• LaGuardia CARES

    LaGuardia CARES (College Access for Retention and Economic Success) connects students with resources, referrals and local community services to overcome financial barriers, stay in school and graduate. LaGuardia CARES provides resources for daily living expenses, including food, healthcare, rent, utilities, childcare, emergency transportation and more! All of our services are free for LaGuardia students and their immediate family members.

    SNAP update: LaGuardia students enrolled at least part-time may be eligible. Email us for details.
    SNAP eligibility in New York State has been expanded so that more community college students now qualify.





  • Do I qualify for benefits?


    If you answer “yes” to any of the questions below, you may qualify for financial services and/or benefits.

    • Do you need help paying for college?
    • Do you have difficulty with basic living expenses, such as housing, food, rent and clothing?
    • Do you receive limited or no financial support from your family?
    • Are you financially responsible for children under the age of 24?
    • Are you a veteran?
    • Are you in need of financial assistance?
    • Are you undocumented?

  • Student getting food from the Food Pantry




  • Benefits

    Make life easier. Visit us to get the help you need to make it to graduation.


  • Food Pantry and Clothing Closet


    Receive clothing, nonperishable and perishable food items. No appointment is needed, and everyone is eligible.


    Healthcare


    We can help with new applications and recertifications for:

    • Medicaid
    • Child Health Plus
    • Emergency Medicaid for undocumented immigrants

    We can also help you find healthcare in a variety of situations:

    • Loss of essential health coverage or loss of job
    • Change in marital status or gain of a dependent
    • No longer incarcerated
    • Became a U.S. Citizen, U.S. National or legal permanent resident
    • Permanent move from out of state


  • Public Benefits


    Email laguardiacare@lagcc.cuny.edu to apply virtually for for SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program), also known as food stamps, if you’re eligible, Cash Assistance, Child Care, Housing, Unemployment and other services.

    If you qualify, we will assist you with completing applications, give you all the information you will need about necessary documents and make sure you are as prepared as possible for a successful outcome.


    Legal Services


    We offer free virtual consultation and representation: Civil, Juvenile, Civil and Immigration.

    • Self-petitions to adjust legal status for undocumented victims of domestic abuse via the Violence Against Women’s Act (VAWA)
    • Naturalization applications and appeals
    • Green card and work permit renewals
    • Family-based immigration petitions




  • Community Resources



  • Resources are available for New Yorkers of all ages, across the five boroughs:
    • Food pantries and soup kitchens
      • Food Bank for New York City has a searchable map where you can find a nearby food pantry, soup kitchen or SNAP enrollment site
      • Plentiful can help you make an appointment to visit a food pantry. Text "FOOD" to PANTRY (726-879) to get started. Or for Android users, download the app.
      • The CUNY Urban Food Policy Institute is an academic research and action center at the CUNY Graduate School of Public Health and Health Policy located in Harlem, NYC.
    • Free meals for ALL New Yorkers
    • For people age 60 and older
      • The NYC Department for the Aging provides access to home-delivered meals for people age 60 and older. In-home care, such as assistance with household chores, personal care, and referrals to additional resources, is available.


    Healthy or sick, all New Yorkers need to stay home as much as possible. To stay up to date with the latest information, visit the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.
    • Information is available in over 20 languages
    • For real-time updates in English, text COVID to 692-692
    • Text COVIDESP 692-692 for updates in Spanish
    • Important guidance for immigrant New Yorkers:
      • Seeking or using medical treatment or preventive healthcare services related to COVID-19 will NOT be considered under the public charge rule, even if the services are Medicaid-funded
      • Seek care without fear and if you need help getting medical care, call 311 and get connected to a doctor today
    • How to safely help your fellow New Yorkers during the emergency

    Urgent health care needs (other than testing for coronavirus)
    What to do if you feel overwhelmed or need help coping?
    • Contact NYC Well 24/7 at 888-NYC-WELL or (888)-692-9355
    • Texting “WELL” to 65173
    • Chat online at nyc.gov/nycwell



    The New York Immigrant Coalition has released a resource guide for immigrants who are concerned about COVID-19 and how it might impact their immigration case.

    • The New York City Mayor’s Office wants workers to know that they have the right to use safe and sick leave to care for themselves or anyone they consider family.
    • For more information, visit the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection for information available in over 20 languages
    • Workers in NYC are covered by many labor and employment laws, regardless of immigration status

    • If an employer closes due to a reason related to COVID-19 or receives a mandatory order from a government entity, there will be no waiting period for the employee to file a claim for unemployment insurance
    • Visit the New York State Department of Labor to file a claim
    • Click here for step-by-step instructions on how to file a claim

    • Hate and discrimination against anyone based on their race, national origin, or other status is not tolerated. The New York City Commission on Human Rights, Mayor's Office for the Prevention of Hate Crimes, and NYPD are monitoring and responding to reported hate and bias incidents resulting from fear and stigma related to COVID-19
    • Call 311 to report harassment or discrimination
    • Call 911 if you are the victim of a hate crime or witness what you believe to be a hate crime. NYPD officers will not ask about the immigration status of anyone seeking help and language assistance is available


    NYC’s Office of Emergency Management provides additional resources about


  • Group of students walking in the Lobby




  • Studnets Learning

  • Support for Parenting Students


    You’re juggling your education while pregnant or parenting, and we honor that you’re pursuing a degree and attempting to change the course in history for your family. We provide support to help you meet your educational goals and become a self-sufficient, nurturing parent.



    We can help ensure you get all the city and state benefits you are eligible for, and we also provide emergency baby supplies (diapers, wipes and formula), emergency child care assistance, educational workshops, emergency MetroCards and more.