Social Services

Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT) food benefits 

New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA) has begun to issue Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT) food benefits for the 2021-2022 school year and summer 2022 period to eligible children. To be eligible, students must have attended a school that participates in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP), been certified as eligible to receive Free/Reduced Price Lunch (FRPL) and had a reduction in in-person attendance during the 2021-2022 school year due to COVID-19. 

The application portal is scheduled to open on May 15.  Applications will be accepted through August 15, 2023. All approved benefits will be issued by the end of September 2023. Specific instructions to use the portal will be available when the portal website opens.  Applications will be available on the P-EBT FAQ webpage by May 15th. 2023 or applicants can receive assistance with submitting an application by calling the P-EBT Helpline at 1-833-452-0096.  Questions can be directed to the P-EBT Helpline at 1-833-452-0096 or submitted through the P-EBT information form at https://otda.ny.gov/PEBT-Info.  To apply or to review the P-EBT Frequently Asked Questions please go to https://otda.ny.gov/SNAP-COVID-19/Frequently-Asked-Questions-Pandemic-EBT.asp

_______________________________________________________________________________________

new image

New Child Support Debit Card Coming by March 31, 2023

Child support debit cards from Bank of America will be replaced soon! New debit cards will be mailed in a few weeks.  Please make sure your address is correct to receive your new debit card.  To make changes, call the New York Child Support Helpline at 1-888-208-4485.  Continue to use your Bank of America debit card until the balance is $0. The balance cannot be transferred to the new card.

Click here to read more about the Child Support Debit Card change.

_______________________________________________________________________________________

SNAP Emergency Allotments are Ending  - The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Emergency Allotment benefits that have been provided throughout the pandemic are ending in February, due to federal rules. These temporary benefits have provided an extra payment each month to ensure all SNAP households received at least the maximum monthly benefit.  The New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA) and your local social services district do not have control over this change. These benefits were issued directly from NYS OTDA. OTDA will also be alerting all SNAP recipients via 3 text messages of the change. 

In light of possible types of scamming, be aware that OTDA will never ask for a SNAP card number or PIN.  Clients should never give their card number or PIN to anyone who attempts to solicit it.

For more information, visit https://otda.ny.gov/SNAP-COVID-19/Frequently-Asked-Questions.asp or https://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/changes-2023-benefit-amounts. 

For information on pop up food pantries, visit https://foodlinkny.org/program/pop-up-pantries/.

________________________________________________________________________________________

Low Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP) - 

On October 1, 2022, households that received LIHWAP benefits may be eligible for additional benefits and are encouraged to re-apply if they continue to struggle with water and/or sewer arrears. Also effective October 1, 2022 new income guidelines go into effect for the 2022-2023 fiscal year. This represents an increase from 2021. On average, the income guidelines increased by 5 percent. Guidelines are set at 60% of State Median Income (SMI) or 150% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL), whichever is greater. Updated income guidelines and instructions for applications can be viewed on the program’s website at https://otda.ny.gov/programs/water-assistance/.

_________________________________________________________________________________

ATTENTION NEW YORK STATE ESSENTIAL WORKERS:  

The Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) is administering $25 million in funds for the Essential Worker Scholarship (EWS) to provide child care support for children of essential workers. If you make less than 300% of the federal poverty level ($79,500 for a family of 4) and are considered an essential worker you may be eligible. More information on the Essential Worker Scholarship can be found here.

________________________________________________________________________________________

The Department of Social Services assists all Livingston County residents with a myriad of family supports, both financial as well as social. Some of our assistance solutions have income eligibility requirements.   You can apply for many benefits on-line. 

 SNAP (previously called Food Stamps) is an income based program and is intended to supplement the food budget of eligible households. Applications for SNAP can be made online at www.mybenefits.ny.gov or at our office on the computers located in our lobby.  

Public Assistance (PA) is an income based program that covers families and single adults with ongoing and/or emergency assistance.  Applications for PA can be made online at www.mybenefits.ny.gov or at our office on the computers located in our lobby.  
 
Medicaid is the umbrella that supplies the financial source for many variations in medical assistance. Community Medicaid is provided mainly through Managed Care plans. Applications for Medicaid can be made online at nystateofhealth.ny.gov or at our office on the computers located in our lobby
 
Day Care provides for reimbursement of Day Care expenses to Day Care Centers, Registered Providers, and approved Legally-Exempt Day Care Providers on behalf of those determined eligible for this subsidy.  Applications for Day Care can be made online at www.mybenefits.ny.gov or at our office on the computers located in our lobby.  
 
HEAP can help you with heating and utility costs, and certain essential heating equipment repairs.  Traditional HEAP opened on November 1, 2022 and closes on March 31, 2023. Emergency HEAP opens on January 3, 2023 and closes April 28, 2023.


Applications for HEAP can be made online at www.mybenefits.ny.gov or at our office on the computers located in our lobby. 
 
Documents can be submitted using NYDocSubmit (more information below), dropped off in our outdoor Drop Box (located to the left of our front door), faxed to (585) 243-7344 or mailed.
 

DSS participates in NYDocSubmit, a Mobile Document Upload Application that allows you to take pictures of required documents for Temporary Assistance (TA), Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) and Medicaid (MA) and submit them directly to our office.


Documents that may not be submitted using NYDocSubmit are:
  • Applications
  • Documents that contain HIV information.
  • Domestic Violence information.
  • Address that must remain confidential to safeguard any member of an applicant's or recipient's household.





    Many questions can be answered or needs met over the phone or online.  Some benefits have income eligibility requirements and you will receive guidance on applying.