Adult Protective Services is a New York state mandated program, New York state social services law section four seventy three that helps New Yorkers eighteen years of age and older regardless of income and assets who one, are mentally and or physically impaired and due to these impairments are unable to manage their own resources, carry out the activities of daily living or protect themselves from abuse, neglect, exploitation or other hazardous situations without assistance from others and have no one available who is willing and able to assist them responsibly.

Criteria mandates criteria mandates and timeframes, the rules and regulations that govern how APS operates are dictated by the New York State.

The state sets forth the criteria to abide by.

The New York State Office of Children and Family Services, OCFS, provides oversight and their guidance governs the APS referral process, eligibility criteria, and how APS works.