A few initial tips:
1. If nothing else, remember to reach out with questions to me at Douglas.cox@law.cuny.edu or the law library's email at legal.research@law.cuny.edu.
2. It is very easy to get lost and confused between relevant statutory provisions and regulations especially when working in a digital environment and clicking through hyperlinks. It is useful to try to be intentional about moving from one type of source to another and reminding ourselves where we are - is this a statute or is this a regulation?
3. Remember the importance of using annotated versions of statutes and regulations, where available. Utilize work others have done in identifying relevant cases in Notes to Decisions, utilize the functionality of Citing References (or Shepard's) that essentially create customized, searchable databases of (1) cases, (2) secondary sources, and (3) administrative materials within the Westlaw and Lexis systems that are citing to the statutory provision (or case) that you are researching.
4. Also mine the websites of relevant state agencies and outside organizations that might have additional relevant materials (such as agency manual or memoranda) that might help define additional practices and standards that inform your research.
NY STATUTORY RESEARCH
N.Y. Social Services Law (link to Westlaw annotated version)
N.Y. Social Services Law (Lexis link)
NY Legislative History research (in case you need it)
NY REGULATORY RESEARCH
NYCRR, Title 18, Department of Social Services (Westlaw)
NYCRR, Title 18, Department of Social Services (Lexis)
NYC RESEARCH
Background Guide on Doing NYC City Legal Research
NYC Municipal Materials (Westlaw)
WEBSITES
NYC HRA and HRA Access
Empire Justice Center and EJC Online Resource Center