New York Consolidated Laws, Social Services Law - SOS § 131-w. Limitations in the payment of rent arrears

Districts shall not provide assistance to pay rent arrears, property taxes or mortgage arrears for persons not eligible for home relief, aid to dependent children, emergency assistance to needy families with children or emergency assistance for aged, blind and disabled persons, except to persons who are without income or resources immediately available to meet the emergency need, whose gross household income does not exceed one hundred twenty-five percent of the federal income official poverty line and who sign a repayment agreement agreeing to repay the assistance in a period not to exceed twelve months.  The districts shall enforce the repayment agreements by any legal method available to a creditor, in addition to any rights it has pursuant to this chapter.  The department shall promulgate regulations to implement this section which shall, among other things, establish standards for the contents of repayment agreements and establish standards to ensure that assistance is provided only in emergency circumstances.