The Suffolk County Department of Social Services (DSS) works together with the State of New York and the federal government to offer publicly funded welfare programs to people in need.
The DSS programs are designed to meet the basic needs of eligible residents, at the same time encouraging their independence and self-sufficiency.
Some of the services provided by Suffolk County Department of Social Services are:
Medicaid is a government medical assistance program that provides health coverage for low-income and uninsured individuals and families.
Medicaid offers free or low-cost medical care for:
Suffolk County Department of Social Services provides free transportation for eligible Medicaid beneficiaries. If you need health care but have no means of transportation, you can apply for assistance to get to the hospital or to your doctor’s appointment.
Medicaid qualifications are based on income, family size, disability, and several other factors. Because the state of New York has expanded Medicaid coverage, you can also qualify based on your income alone.
The annual income limit to qualify for Medicaid in 2020 is $17,609 for individuals and
$23,792 for couples.
For people who are blind, disabled, or over 65 years old, the income limit is $10,500 for individuals and $15,400 for families.
Some people who have medical bills may be eligible if their income is higher than the Medicaid level. This applies to:
Social Security benefits don’t count as a household income when evaluating eligibility for Medicaid benefits. If you live in the state of New York and receive Social Security or Supplemental Security Income (SSI), you automatically qualify for Medicaid.
In the state of New York, a single applicant can have $15,750 and couples $22,200 in liquid assets and still get Medicaid. Liquid assets include cash, stocks, bonds, and certificates of deposit.
There are some exemptions from the asset limit such as a primary residence, a car that meets certain criteria, household items, marital jewelry, and burial funds.
By phone
Suffolk County DSS Medicaid: (631) 853-8714
Medicaid Transportation: (844) 678-1103
In person
Smithtown Center
Suffolk County DSS
200 Wireless Boulevard
Hauppauge, NY 11788
Online
Medicaid application form for Suffolk County residents
More information
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is a federal nutrition program formerly known as the Food Stamps Program.
SNAP provides people in need with money to purchase food at grocery stores, convenience stores, some farmers’ markets, and Co-op food programs.
You can use SNAP to buy:
You can’t use SNAP to buy:
The maximum SNAP allowance in New York is $194 for an individual and $355 for a couple.
Each month, you will receive your SNAP benefits on a plastic card called an electronic benefits transfer (EBT) card. An EBT card looks and works just like any debit card. It is more discreet than paper coupons that are no longer used.
In the state of New York, the EBT is known as the Common Benefit Identification Card (CBIC).
You will normally receive your benefits within 30 days after applying for SNAP.
If you have an emergency, you can apply for Expedited Food Stamps. In this case, you will receive the money within 7 days. However, you will still have to complete the application and provide all the required documentation at a later date.
Whether you are eligible for SNAP depends on your income and family size.
The income limit for a single person is $1,354 and for a couple $1,832 in monthly gross income. This is everything you earn in one month, before taxes and deductions. This income limit includes cash assistance, Social Security, unemployment insurance, child support, and other benefits.
Assets such as stocks, savings, and retirement accounts are not taken into consideration when determining eligibility for SNAP.
The federal government has suspended the three-month time limit on receiving SNAP benefits for unemployed adults without dependent children. Currently, you may qualify for SNAP to help cover the cost of food for yourself and your family if you are unemployed.
By phone
Suffolk County DSS: (631) 854-9935
In person
Smithtown Center
Suffolk County DSS
200 Wireless Boulevard
Hauppauge, NY 11788
Online
SNAP application form for Suffolk County residents
SNAP common application form when applying for other benefits such as Medicaid or temporary assistance along with SNAP
More information
Suffolk County Department of Social Services supports low-income families by covering parts or all of their child care costs.
In most cases, if you are receiving a child care subsidy, you are free to choose any legal child care provider. A case manager can also help you select a high-quality, affordable child care provider in your area.
Child care assistance is available for children between 6 weeks and 12 years old. Children with special needs can receive care until the age of 18.
To apply for child care assistance, your family’s income must be below 200% of the income standard for a family of your size in New York State. The income standard for 2020 is $4,040 per month for a family of four.
You also need to show that you have a valid need for child care. This may be employment, an approved educational or training program, or being a teen parent who is attending high school. You are guaranteed child care assistance if you are on cash assistance and need child care in order to meet work participation requirements.
By phone
Division of Child Care Services Long Island Regional Office: (631) 240-2560
Suffolk County Child Care Council: (631) 462-0303 for help with selecting and locating child care services
In person
FCSA – Child Care Unit
Suffolk County DSS
Smithtown Center
200 Wireless Boulevard
Hauppauge, NY 11788
Online
Child care assistance application form for Suffolk County residents
More information
Suffolk County Department of Social Services – Child Services
Fostering offers a safe family to children who are unable to live with their biological families due to abuse, neglect, mental health issues, or family breakdown.
Unlike adoption, fostering is a temporary arrangement. A child may stay in foster care only a few days or as long as it takes to find a permanent solution.
As a foster parent, you will receive an allowance to cover the cost of caring for a child. Licensed foster parents in Suffolk County receive anywhere between $625 and $855 per month depending on the age of the child.
To be eligible to foster a child in Suffolk County, you need to meet the following requirements:
Past financial problems should not prevent you from fostering a child. However, you will need to show that you are financially secure enough to take care of a child and that you are able to manage fostering allowances.
Applicants whose criminal records check reveals a felony conviction for child abuse, spousal abuse, domestic battery, drug-related offense, or violent crime are automatically disqualified as foster parents.
In all other cases, factors such as the type of felony, how long ago it occurred, and the applicant’s age at the time of the crime are considered in a decision on whether someone is allowed to foster a child.
By phone
Suffolk County DSS Child Care Unit: (631) 854-3349
Suffolk County Child Placement Bureau: (631) 853 – KIDS
More information
Suffolk County DSS – Foster Care
New York State Office of Children and Family Services
Temporary assistance is cash assistance for people who are not able to work or find a job and individuals who don’t earn enough to pay for their basic needs. This is short-term help available while you are looking for work, participating in training, or receiving disability benefits.
Temporary assistance consists of two programs: Family Assistance and Safety Net Assistance.
The family assistance program provides cash assistance to families with children and pregnant women. You can use the family cash assistance to pay for food, shelter, and utilities. However, you are not allowed to use this money for medical expenses.
Family assistance benefits are limited for a total of 60 months (5 years) which don’t need to be consecutive. Once you’ve reached this limit, your case will be transferred to the safety net assistance program. Your benefits will stay the same.
Safety net assistance is cash assistance for individuals and families who are not eligible for family assistance. This group includes:
You can receive SNA for a maximum of two years. After that, your benefits will be provided in a non-cash form. This means that payments will be made directly to your landlord or utility company.
The maximum cash assistance benefit is $735 per month for an individual and $1,103 for couples.
Eligibility for temporary cash assistance is based on income and family size. In most cases, you must be working or participating in approved work activities in order to be eligible for this benefit.
If you are receiving temporary cash assistance, you can also apply for other benefits like Medicaid or SNAP.
Emergency assistance is intended to meet urgent needs like homelessness, overdue rent, pending eviction, and having little or no food. To receive emergency assistance, you don’t have to be eligible for temporary assistance.
If you are applying for emergency assistance, you will have an interview and receive a reply the same day.
By phone
New York State Temporary Assistance hotline: (800) 342-3009
In person
South West Center
Suffolk County DSS
2 South 2nd Street
Deer Park, NY 11729
Smithtown Center
Suffolk County DSS
200 Wireless Blvd
Hauppauge, NY 11788
Online
Temporary Assistance application form
Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) is a government program that helps low-income families to cover heating costs for their homes. If needed, the program can also assist with heating equipment repairs and the provision of cooling equipment.
Emergency HEAP benefits are available if you are in danger of running out of fuel or having your utility service shut off.
HEAP benefits can only be obtained during the period defined as “HEAP season”. You can receive one regular HEAP benefit per year.
Eligibility for HEAP depends on your income, household size, primary heating source, and whether any of your household members are under the age of 6,over the age of 60, or permanently disabled.
Your maximum gross monthly income should not exceed $2,391 for an individual and $3,127 for a couple. You can qualify for HEAP if you receive SNAP, cash assistance, or Code A Supplemental Security Income.
By fax
(631) 853-8969 or 853-8822 for submitting the completed application
In person
Coram Center
Suffolk county DSS
80 Middle Country Road
Coram, NY 11727
South West Center
Suffolk county DSS
2 South 2nd Street
Deer Park, NY 11729
Smithtown Center
Suffolk county DSS
200 Wireless Blvd
Hauppauge, NY 11788
Riverhead Center
Suffolk county DSS
893 East Main Street
Riverhead, NY 11901
Online
New York State myBenefits application form
More information
New York State HEAP information
Suffolk County Department of Social Services offers emergency housing to people who are homeless or in danger of becoming homeless. An emergency services unit worker assesses the individual’s needs and provides a referral for an emergency housing placement.
Suffolk County DSS has emergency shelters in Coram, Riverhead, Smithtown, and Southwest centers.
By phone
Suffolk County DSS: (631) 854-9517
Emergency Services Unit: (631) 845-9100 (evenings, weekends, and holidays)
In person
Smithtown Center
200 Wireless Boulevard
Hauppauge, NY 11788
Coram Center
80 Middle Country Road
Coram, NY 11727
Riverhead Center
893 East Main Street
Riverhead, NY 11901
Southwest Center
2 South Second Street
Deer Park, NY 11729
In the evenings, during weekends and holidays, people who need a shelter can go directly to their nearest hospital emergency room to seek refuge.
Smithtown Center
200 Wireless Boulevard
Hauppauge, NY 11788
Phone: (631) 853-8825
Coram Center
80 Middle Country Road
Coram, NY 11727
Phone: (631) 854-2300
Riverhead Center
893 East Main Street
Riverhead, NY 11901
Phone: (631) 852-3500
Southwest Center
2 South Second Street
Deer Park, NY 11729
Phone: (631) 854-6600
MacArthur Center
MacArthur Building
3085 Veterans Memorial Highway
Ronkonkoma, NY 11779
Phone: (631) 854-9930
