NYC Administrative Job Opportunity Specialist (AJOS) exam
COMPLETE QUESTIONS AND DETAILED SOLUTIONS LATEST
UPDATE THIS YEAR-JUST RELEASED
Summarized Exam Coverage – NYC AJOS
The exam tests eligibility determination for public assistance (Cash Assistance, SNAP, Medicaid), client
interviewing, case management, referral to employment/social services, computer system data entry
(WMS, POS), regulations (NY Social Services Law, federal rules), fraud detection, fair hearings, domestic
violence indicators, disability accommodations, and professional boundaries.
1. A client says she lost her job yesterday and needs emergency food stamps today. What is your first
step?
A) Issue benefits immediately
B) Ask for proof of job loss within 5 days
C) Tell her to apply online only
D) Deny because she still has savings
Answer: B – Expedited SNAP may be issued based on declaration, but verification is required.
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2. An applicant brings no ID but knows his Social Security number by heart. What should you do?
A) Accept application but allow 30 days to verify identity
B) Reject application immediately
C) Issue benefits without ID
D) Call police for suspicious behavior
Answer: A – Identity must be verified, but a delay for documentation is allowed.
3. A client receiving Cash Assistance reports she started a part-time job last week but hasn’t received her
first paycheck yet. What is your action?
A) Stop all benefits immediately
B) Advise her to report income next month
C) Update the case with anticipated income and adjust benefits after first check
D) Ignore until she gets paid
Answer: C – Timely reporting of changes is required; benefits adjust prospectively.
4. A father says he is unemployed but his children live with their grandmother. Can he receive Cash
Assistance for them?
A) Yes, if he has legal custody
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B) No, unless the children live with him
C) Yes, if they visit on weekends
D) No, never for non-custodial parents
Answer: B – Cash Assistance requires children to reside with the applicant.
5. During a SNAP recertification interview, the client becomes aggressive and starts shouting. What is
your best response?
A) Shout back to establish control
B) Terminate his benefits immediately
C) Calmly state the behavior is unacceptable and offer to reschedule
D) Call security and have him arrested
Answer: C – De-escalation and offering a new appointment maintains professionalism.
6. A client admits she is afraid to apply for Cash Assistance because her boyfriend will get angry. What
should you ask next?
A) “Why are you dating him then?”
B) “Do you feel safe at home?” and offer domestic violence resources
C) “Can you bring him to the interview?”
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D) “That’s not my problem”
Answer: B – Domestic violence indicators require screening and confidential referral.
7. An applicant provides a pay stub showing $800 for two weeks of work. What is your next action
regarding SNAP?
A) Use the gross income to determine eligibility
B) Use net income after taxes
C) Ignore the pay stub as incomplete
D) Require six months of pay stubs
Answer: A – SNAP uses gross income before deductions.
8. A client says he cannot work due to back pain but has no medical documentation yet. How do you
proceed?
A) Approve disability status immediately
B) Require a Disability Determination form and refer for evaluation
C) Tell him to come back when he has a doctor’s note
D) Deny assistance permanently
Answer: B – Disability must be verified through proper medical channels.