Informational Resources
Pre-Retirement Planning
Create Your Personal my Social Security Account
A free and secure my Social Security account provides personalized tools for everyone, whether you receive benefits or not. You can use your account to request a replacement Social Security card, check the status of an application, estimate future benefits, or manage the benefits you already receive.
You can create a my Social Security account if you’re age 18 or older, have a Social Security number, valid email, and a US mailing address. To create an account, go to: https://www.ssa.gov/myaccount/. You will need to provide some personal information to confirm your identity, and then choose a username and password.
For Pre-Retirement Planning information, go to: Pre-Retirement Planning.
Network Child Care Centers
What Parents Should Look for in a Child Care Program
Work-Life Services understands the importance of evaluating and choosing a quality caregiving situation for your child. We recommend the following publications produced by the New York State Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS). OCFS offers brochures containing tips, resources, and checklists of important information to look for during your visit to the centers. To download the brochures, click on the OCFS links below:
- For infant and toddler care: https://ocfs.ny.gov/publications/Pub1115/OCFS-Pub1115B.pdf
- For 3-5 year old care: https://ocfs.ny.gov/publications/Pub1115/OCFS-Pub1115C.pdf
- For school-age care: https://ocfs.ny.gov/publications/Pub1115/OCFS-Pub1115D.pdf
- For other OCFS publications: www.ocfs.state.ny.us/main/publications
For information on the Network Child Care Centers, go to: Network Child Care Centers.
Employee Assistance Program
NY Project Hope assists New Yorkers with the emotional impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. They provide the Emotional Support Helpline that is staffed by trained counselors who are available every day from 8 AM to 10 PM. In addition, their website offers useful online information on coping with the challenges of COVID-19. nyprojecthope.org
NY Project HOPE
Coping with COVID
Emotional Support Helpline
1-844-863-9314
Confidential, Anonymous and Free
For more information about dealing with the stress and emotional issues related to COVID-19 and the holiday season, as well as other issues, you can contact your agency’s EAP coordinator found at this coordinator listing or call 1-800-822-0244.
Welcome to the Family Packet
Work-Life Services offers a Welcome to the Family Packet. Raising a child is an exciting and challenging experience. Today’s families often face unique circumstances trying to balance their work and family responsibilities. As a New York State Executive Branch employee, you are entitled to several negotiated benefits designed to assist you with balancing work and life. The Welcome to the Family Packet will outline these benefit programs as well as provide informative resources to support you through the rewarding experience of raising a child. We invite you to request a Welcome to the Family Packet for yourself or a family member who has recently welcomed a child into their family. Email your request along with your name and home mailing address to: [email protected].
For more information on the Network Child Care Centers, go to: Network Child Care Centers.
Elder Care Resources
Are You Caring for an Elderly Family Member or Close Friend?
Today’s families face unique circumstances trying to balance the responsibilities of caring for an elderly loved one while managing other demands. Work-Life Services now offers Caring for Your Elderly Loved One, an educational resource packet for employees who are caring for an elderly person. The packet includes a comprehensive guide to resources for older New Yorkers as well as information about memory loss, legal and financial planning for people with Alzheimer’s disease, older drivers, Medicare, long-distance caregiving, advanced care planning, end of life decisions, and much more.
To request a Caring for Your Elderly Loved One educational resource packet, click on the email link under Contact Us on the left side of the Work-Life Services homepage or email [email protected] to request the educational resource packet. You will need to provide your name and home mailing address.