Suffolk New York emergency financial assistance.
Suffolk County New York residents can get emergency assistance from the Department of Social Services and other government agencies. A number of services are provided to qualified low income families, people facing a crisis, the elderly, disabled, and others. Some examples of the resources offered include food stamps, temporary financial assistance for bills, rent help, home energy assistance, health care, and child care programs. Get more information below.
The primary goal of the programs available across Suffolk County is to provide qualified applicants and clients with longer term self-sufficiency. It is key that people are able to pay their own bills and provide for their basic needs in the future. Case workers and other specialists will work with clients to encourage personal responsibility, help strengthen and preserve families, and social services will also offer other short term resources and financial aid that will ultimately foster self-sufficiency.
Apply for emergency rental assistance from the Homelessness Prevention and Rapid Re-housing Program. Several agencies run this program, including the Town of Babylon Community Development Department and the Suffolk County Department of Social Services. Funds, free advice, grants and more can be provided to families facing an eviction from their home or apartment and people who are at risk of homelessness. Some families may also be able to qualify for security deposit assistance, first month’s rent, and other housing support.
In addition, emergency low income housing can be provided at your local social services office. The county works with both private and public apartment owners and communities to provide affordable housing units. Or the government also offers resources in partnership with the county. For example, get help with rent and deposits from the Section 8 voucher program.
Suffolk County social services also administers the federal government funded Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP). This program provides heating and utility bill assistance to supplement a household's annual energy cost and help them with paying their utility and electric bills. HEAP also provides emergency financial assistance for households who are faced with a heat, air conditioning or heat related energy emergency. Not only can HEAP help if you pay bills, but it can also assist with paying for furnace repairs and/or replacement of furnaces for households with inoperable heating equipment. Or ask about saving money on your energy bills from the free weatherization program.
Food Stamps and Temporary Assistance can help families with a limited income. This is another federal government and state of New York temporary cash assistance program that can help qualified individuals on a recurring monthly basis. There is also an emergency component. Free food, meals, groceries and food stamps can help persons with limited income buy food for themselves and their families.
Low-income persons and Suffolk County residents who are currently receiving Public Assistance may be able to get free health care from Medicaid Services, which is also known as MEDICAID. The federal government program provides essential medical services, prescription drugs, and free health care for the less fortunate. Some of the services covered and that are available to patients in Suffolk County NY include outpatient and inpatient hospital care, laboratory work, physician services, X-ray services, early and periodic screening of children, skilled nursing care, transportation services, and even home health care services. Those are just a sampling of what can be provided.
The Suffolk County Department of Social Services can be reached at (631) 854-9935. Call them for information on these or other emergency assistance programs.
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