Social Services
The Department of Social Services provides an array of services to Westchester residents in need of help. This includes the areas of child support, food, housing, medical services and home energy costs. The department also provides protective and preventive services for vulnerable children and adults.
Temporary Assistance and Food Stamps Employment Plan
The Temporary Assistance and Food Stamps Employment plan has been published for public review and comment. The deadline for comments is April 27, 2012. Read more about and download the plan.
Informational Forum Presentation
If you missed our Informational Form Wednesday, March 28, then download and read the feature presentation of the event. It highlights the roll Social Services plays in the community.
Online Scammers offer phony SNAP application Assistance
It has been reported that Internet ads, located alongside legitimate articles, are offering SNAP application assistance. Do not fall victim to these ads. SNAP employees or service providers will never ask for credit card or other personal information not already on your state agency application. Read more about this scam in the USDA scam alert notice.
In an effort to remove barriers to independence, we offer temporary assistance to customers and applicants so they may gain self-sufficiency through employment and securing support and care for children.
Our child welfare units conduct investigations and family assessments, provide in-home case management, and administer foster care and adoption services. We recognize that some segments of our population, adult and children, are vulnerable and require services to assist and protect them.
To apply for services or inquire about your benefits, call or visit the district office serving your area. My Benefits is a quick and easy way for people in New York State to find answers to questions about New York State's programs and services.
In the event of a specific emergency, you can call:
- Child Abuse Hotline (800) 342-3720
- Abandoned Infant Information (866) 505-SAFE (7233)
- Adult Protective Intake (914) 995-2259
- Emergency Services (914) 995-2099
- Or, you can always call 911 in any emergency
Homeless Services
The county's Housing Office locates temporary shelter for homeless families, singles and childless couples. Learn more
Adoption
Being an adoptive parent means making a lifetime commitment to a child. For those children who can't return to their birth family, adoption provides a new home and family to call their own. View profiles of adoptable children in Westchester. To receive information on foster care, call (800) 4KIDS-27. Learn more
Foster Parents
Being a foster parent means providing a caring, nurturing home to a child or sibling group. It also means working with the birth parents as part of a team to help bring the family back together. And, it may mean providing a permanent home through adoption for a child who has been with you as a foster child. Learn more
Child Support
New York State law requires both parents to financially support their children to age 21. This responsibility exists even if a parent leaves the home or has never lived with the child. Learn more
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