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Rockland County, New York Assistance Programs — Emergency Help for Spring Valley, Haverstraw, Nanuet, and Surrounding Communities
Rockland County residents who need help with utility bills, rent, groceries, or accessing health coverage can reach a range of free programs - and this page will help residents find options. Government benefits flow through Rockland County DSS — the entry point for SNAP food stamps, Medicaid, HEAP energy assistance, and cash aid. Community action, food pantries, emergency financial aid from faith-based nonprofits, free legal help for tenants and homeowners, and specialized programs for seniors round out what’s available here. Most services are free; most are open to all county residents regardless of immigration status or religion.
Rockland County DSS handles SNAP, Medicaid, HEAP, and emergency housing programs — call (845) 364-3100 or visit the Pomona office. WestCOP’s community action offices in Spring Valley and Haverstraw provide food, emergency financial aid, and case management. Catholic Community Services of Rockland is the county’s primary faith-based emergency assistance provider. People to People — Feeding Rockland runs the county’s largest food pantry out of Nanuet. When you’re not sure where to start, dial 2-1-1 for a live referral to the right program in your community.
Quick Reference — Start Here
- Rockland County DSS (SNAP, Medicaid, HEAP energy assistance, cash aid, emergency housing): (845) 364-3100 — 50 Sanatorium Road, Building L, Pomona, NY 10970
- WestCOP Community Action (emergency food, financial aid, case management — two locations): Spring Valley (845) 262-1987 • Haverstraw (845) 728-0688
- Catholic Community Services of Rockland (emergency meals, financial assistance, job readiness): (845) 942-5791
- People to People — Feeding Rockland (Rockland’s largest food pantry): (845) 623-4900
- Salvation Army Spring Valley (food, clothing, emergency rent, holiday programs): (845) 352-9577
- Legal Services of the Hudson Valley (free legal aid — eviction, foreclosure, benefits): 1-877-574-8529
- Rockland County Office for the Aging (HEAP, Meals on Wheels, senior services): (845) 364-2110
- 2-1-1: Dial 2-1-1 for free, live referrals to programs anywhere in Rockland County — available around the clock. Always a good first call when you don’t know where to turn.
More resources beyond this page:
Government Benefits — SNAP, Medicaid, HEAP, and Cash Assistance
Rockland County Department of Social Services (DSS)
Rockland County DSS is the county’s gateway to federal and state benefit programs. If you need food assistance, health insurance, help with heating bills, or short-term cash, this is the right starting point. Programs include:
- SNAP (food stamps): Monthly EBT benefits for food purchases for income-qualifying households. Apply online at mybenefits.ny.gov or call (845) 364-3100, Option 1. A drop box is available outside the building for document submission during non-business hours.
- HEAP (Home Energy Assistance Program): New York’s energy assistance program helps with heating costs. The regular benefit opens each November and is distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. An emergency HEAP benefit is available when your fuel source is critically low or a shutoff is imminent; ask specifically for this when you call. There is also a furnace and boiler repair or replacement program for low-income homeowners whose primary heating equipment has failed.
- Medicaid: Free or low-cost health coverage for eligible adults, children, pregnant women, and people with disabilities. Most people apply through NY State of Health at nystateofhealth.ny.gov or by calling 1-855-355-5777. DSS can also assist with Medicaid enrollment and case questions at (845) 364-3040.
- Temporary Assistance (TANF and Safety Net): Short-term cash assistance for families with children and single adults meeting eligibility criteria. Comes with employment and job training support.
- Emergency housing: DSS provides services to families and individuals facing homelessness, including emergency placements and referrals. Call (845) 364-3032 for emergencies outside regular hours.
- Child care subsidies: Assistance with child care costs for working parents with income-qualifying households.
Burial/cremation expense assistance: Help for low-income families who cannot afford the cost of burial for a deceased family member.
- Apply online at mybenefits.ny.gov for SNAP, Medicaid, and HEAP without visiting in person. To submit documents by app, use NYDocSubmit (free download). Sub-page: Rockland County public assistance programs.
Contact: Main: (845) 364-3100 | Emergency: (845) 364-3032 | SNAP unit: Option 1, then Option 1. 50 Sanatorium Road, Building L, Pomona, NY 10970. Website: https://www.rocklandcountyny.gov/departments/social-services
Community Action — WestCOP / Rockland Community Action Program
Rockland Community Action Program (RCAP) / WestCOP
The Rockland Community Action Program is the federally designated community action agency for Rockland County, now operating under the WestCOP umbrella (website: westcop.org). RCAP maintains two offices — one in Spring Valley and one in Haverstraw — making it accessible to residents across the county. Registration is required to access services. Programs include:
- Emergency financial assistance for rent and housing: Short-term help with back rent to prevent eviction. The agency may also issue limited loans for some expenses and can direct very low-income families toward Section 8 and other housing resources.
- Neighbor Fund energy assistance: Emergency help with electric, gas, and heating bills for households that have exhausted other options or need a bridge between HEAP cycles.
- Food pantry: Both the Spring Valley and Haverstraw sites maintain food pantries for Rockland County residents who meet income criteria. Registration required. Food is sourced through the Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York.
- LIHEAP / HEAP referrals: Case workers help clients access state energy programs and weatherization assistance, which can improve home energy efficiency at no cost to eligible homeowners and renters.
- Emergency clothing: Clothing for adults and children in crisis situations.
- Holiday assistance: Seasonal programs including Thanksgiving and Christmas food distributions and holiday gifts for children.
- Case management and referrals: RCAP case workers can help connect residents to Section 8, Medicaid, SNAP, employment resources, and other county and state programs. This coordination role is often as valuable as the direct services.
Contact: Spring Valley: (845) 262-1987 | 94 N. Main Street, Spring Valley, NY 10977. Haverstraw: (845) 728-0688) | 17 West Broad Street, West Haverstraw, NY 10927. https://westcop.org/
Emergency Financial Assistance
Catholic Community Services of Rockland, Inc.
Catholic Community Services of Rockland (CCS Rockland) is one of the county’s most substantial emergency assistance nonprofits, serving residents of all backgrounds and faith traditions. Programs include:
- Emergency financial assistance: Help with rent, utility bills, and other pressing household expenses for people in a financial crisis. This may include one-time payments to prevent an eviction or utility shutoff.
- Emergency meals: Food assistance and meal programs for households that need immediate food support.
- Job readiness and placement: Employment support services including job preparation, skills development, and placement assistance for people working toward self-sufficiency.
- Debt and credit counseling: Free counseling to help residents manage debt, understand their options, and work toward financial stability. Can also refer clients to foreclosure prevention programs.
Contact: (845) 942-5791 | 78 Hudson Avenue, Haverstraw, NY 10927. https://www.ccsrockland.org/
Community Outreach Center — Neighbor Fund
The Community Outreach Center in Monsey accepts and processes applications for the Rockland County Neighbor Fund, a program that provides emergency financial assistance to low-income and working-poor households in the county. The Neighbor Fund is also administered through several other organizations including the Salvation Army and WestCOP. Call ahead to confirm current intake procedures and what documentation to bring. Contact: (845) 356-9600 | 50 Melnick Drive, Monsey, NY 10952
Lend a Hand
Lend a Hand is a last-resort emergency grant program for Rockland County residents in a life-threatening medical or financial crisis who have already exhausted other assistance options. It is not a first-call resource — it is specifically for situations where all other avenues have been tried and the need remains acute. Assistance may include help with prescription costs, rent or utility payments to keep medical equipment running, or a security deposit for someone who is ill and needs safer housing. The program is run in partnership with local nonprofits. Call to inquire about current eligibility and what documentation is required. Contact: (845) 358-8929
The Salvation Army — Spring Valley Corps
The Salvation Army Spring Valley Corps serves all of Rockland County and is one of the more versatile emergency assistance providers in the region. The corps also participates in administering the Neighbor Fund emergency financial assistance program. Services include:
- Neighbor Fund: Emergency financial assistance for rent, utility bills, and other basic needs for low-income and working-poor households in crisis.
- Food pantry: Free food for households in need; call to ask about current distribution schedule and what to bring.
- Clothing closet: Free clothing for adults and children.
- Emergency rent assistance: Limited funds for households at risk of eviction who have tried other resources first.
- Employment assistance: Guidance on applying for public assistance and connecting to job resources and training programs.
- Angel Tree holiday program: Christmas gifts for children of low-income families. Applications typically open in the fall; call ahead for enrollment details.
- Back to school: Backpacks and supplies for students from kindergarten through college.
- Holiday meals: Thanksgiving and Christmas meal distributions for community members.
Contact: (845) 352-9577 | 179 N. Main Street, Spring Valley, NY 10977
The Salvation Army Family Care Center — Suffern
A second Salvation Army location serving southern Rockland County and the Suffern and Ramapo area. Offers social services and family assistance programs; call to confirm current program availability at this site, as services can vary by location. Contact: (845) 368-7249 | 201 Lafayette Avenue, Suffern, NY 10901
Food Assistance — Pantries, Food Banks, and Meal Programs
For a searchable directory of all food pantries and meal programs in Rockland County, visit rocklandhunger.org/find-food/ — run by Rockland County Against Hunger, it is updated regularly and searchable by town and zip code.
People to People — Feeding Rockland
People to People is Rockland County’s largest food pantry and serves households from every town, village, and hamlet in the county. The pantry distributes packages that include nonperishable staples (pasta, rice, canned goods, peanut butter), perishable items (yogurt, eggs, milk, cheese, produce, bread), and frozen proteins. Beyond the pantry, People to People runs a back-to-school program called Back to School with Dignity and a Project Joy! store providing free items to families in need year-round. The pantry is generally open on weekdays; call ahead to confirm current hours and whether an appointment or registration is needed before your first visit. Contact: (845) 623-4900 | 121 West Nyack Road, Nanuet, NY 10954. https://www.peopletopeopleinc.org/
Regional Food Bank of Northeastern
The Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York is the Feeding America member food bank that supplies food to pantries and programs throughout Rockland County (among 23 counties in total). The food bank maintains a distribution center in Orange County serving the Hudson Valley region. It does not distribute food directly to households — food reaches residents through partner pantries and programs like WestCOP, People to People, and others. To find a partner pantry near you in Rockland County, use the pantry locator at regionalfoodbank.net or call. The food bank also operates a mobile pantry that reaches rural and underserved areas of its service region. Contact: https://www.regionalfoodbank.net/
Housing Counseling, Rent Help, and Eviction Prevention
Rockland Housing Action Coalition (RHAC) Est. 1987
RHAC is a HUD-approved nonprofit housing counseling agency that has been helping Rockland County residents navigate housing challenges since 1987. All counseling is free for income-qualifying residents. Programs include:
- Foreclosure prevention counseling: Free guidance for homeowners who are behind on mortgage payments or at risk of foreclosure, including help understanding options, working with lenders, and navigating the legal process.
- First-time homebuyer education: Classes and individual counseling to prepare renters for homeownership, covering credit, mortgage readiness, the buying process, and available down-payment assistance programs.
- Rental counseling: Guidance for renters on tenant rights, lease issues, housing searches, and understanding the difference between renting and owning.
- Pre-purchase counseling: One-on-one sessions for people preparing to buy, helping them understand what they can afford, how to strengthen their application, and what to expect from the process.
Contact: https://rhachomes.org/
Senior Services — Office for the Aging
Rockland County Office for the Aging
The Rockland County Office for the Aging serves seniors, people with disabilities, and homebound residents throughout the county. It is the primary office for HEAP applications for seniors and a hub for a broad range of supportive services. Programs include:
- Regular HEAP: Energy assistance with the primary home heating fuel source. Seniors and households with young children receive priority in the annual distribution. Apply early in the season — benefits are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis.
- Emergency HEAP: Available when a household has critically low fuel or faces imminent disconnection. Can be accessed even after the regular HEAP cycle has ended.
- Furnace and boiler repair or replacement: Income-qualified homeowners may be able to get repair or replacement of a failed primary heating system at no cost under HEAP-funded equipment programs.
- Meals on Wheels: Home-delivered meals for homebound seniors and disabled adults who cannot prepare their own food.
- Medical and health referrals: Connections to health care resources, prescription assistance programs, and in-home services that help seniors remain independent.
- Companionship and outreach: Volunteer programs that provide check-in calls and friendly visits to isolated seniors.
Contact: (845) 364-2110 | 50 Sanatorium Road, Yeager Health Center, Building B, Pomona, NY 10970. https://www.rocklandcountyny.gov/departments/office-for-the-aging
Health and Dental Care
Rockland County Department of Health
The Rockland County Department of Health operates public health programs and community clinics throughout the county, offering access to medical and dental care for residents who need lower-cost or publicly funded health services. Programs include immunizations, communicable disease services, maternal and child health programs, and referrals to community health centers. Call for information on current clinic locations and services available to uninsured or underinsured residents. Call (845) 364-2512. Website: https://www.rocklandcountyny.gov/departments/health
Free Legal Aid
Legal Services of the Hudson Valley — Rockland County
Legal Services of the Hudson Valley (LSHV) provides free civil legal representation to low-income residents of Rockland and six other Hudson Valley counties. LSHV has been operating for more than 100 years and maintains a Nanuet office specifically for Rockland County residents, as well as a Spring Valley location. Central intake handles screening for all offices. Cases handled include:
- Eviction defense: Representing tenants facing eviction in housing court, including helping tenants exercise their legal rights when conditions are substandard or the eviction is improper.
- Elder law: Legal help for seniors on issues including benefits, housing, and elder abuse.
- Foreclosure prevention: Representing homeowners in foreclosure proceedings and helping navigate loan modification options.
- Domestic violence: Legal assistance for survivors of domestic violence on housing, orders of protection, and related matters.
- Public benefits: Help appealing denials of SNAP, Medicaid, SSI, and other government benefit programs.
- HIV/AIDS housing: Legal help for people with HIV/AIDS facing housing instability or discrimination.
- Special education advocacy (Rockland only): Legal support for families of children with disabilities navigating IEPs and special education rights.
Contact: Central intake: 1-877-574-8529; Nanuet office: 502 Airport Executive Park, Nanuet, NY 10954; Spring Valley office: 7A Perlman Drive, 2nd Floor, Spring Valley, NY 10977 — (845) 476-3831. https://lshv.org/
Legal Aid of Rockland
Legal Aid of Rockland is a separate legal aid organization specifically serving Rockland County residents. Located in New City, it provides free civil legal assistance for low-income individuals and families. Call for current intake information and to find out what types of cases they are currently accepting.
Contact: (845) 635-3627 | Toll-free: 1-800-454-3627. 2 Congers Road, New City, NY 10956
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