Our Mission
The Department of Social Services enriches the quality of life for Suffolk County citizens who find themselves in need of assistance and services by providing child support enforcement services, food stamps, temporary financial, housing, medical and home energy assistance as well as protective and preventive services for vulnerable children and adults.Our goal is to provide clients and applicants with the ability to gain self-sufficiency, to strengthen and preserve families, encourage personal responsibility and offering other services that will ultimately foster independence.
General information and telephone numbers can be found in the Directory for Public Access. Para el directorio en español, haga clic aquí. To apply for services, call or visit the local center serving your area. In addition, the New York State website My Benefits is a quick and easy way to find answers to questions about New York State's programs and services.
Emergency Information
In the event of specific emergencies, please call:
- Child Abuse Hotline 1 (800) 342-3720
- Abandoned Infant Information 1 (866) TLC-BABY or 1 (866) 852-2229
- Adult Protective Intake (631) 854-3195, (631) 854-3196, (631) 854-3197
- Emergency Services (After 4:30 PM & Weekends) (631) 854-9100
Or, you can always call 911 in any emergency.
Latest Updates
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Non Temporary Assistance Child Care Notice Effective April 1, 2013, the eligibility guideline for Non Temporary Assistance (NTA) families will be increased from 100% to 125% of the State Income Standard; therefore, to the extent New York State Child Care Block Grant funds are available, the following measures will be implemented: Click for more information or para el documento en Espanol, haga clic aqui.
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NOTICE
NEW STATE LAW INCREASING THE CRIMINAL PENALTY FOR ASSAULTING ANY SOCIAL SERVICES EMPLOYEE
THIS NEW LAW INCREASES THE PENALTIES FOR ASSAULTS OF WORKERS WHO ARE DIRECTLY INVOLVED IN AN INTERVIEW, INVESTIGATION, OR IN PROVIDING PUBLIC ASSISTANCE. THE LAW WOULD APPLY TO ANYONE COMMITTING A CRIME TO PREVENT A SOCIAL SERVICES EMPLOYEE FROM COMPLETING HIS OR HER JOB DUTIES, INCLUDING INSTANCES WHERE AN INJURY IS CAUSED BY A PERSON RELEASING OR FAILING TO CONTROL AN ANIMAL.
THE CURRENT PENALTY HAS BEEN RAISED FROM ASSAULT IN THE THIRD DEGREE, A CLASS A MISDEMEANOR,WHICH IS PUNISHABLE BY UP TO BUT NO MORE THAN 1 YEAR IN JAIL, TO ASSAULT IN THE SECOND DEGREE, WHICH IS A CLASS D FELONY, IF THE ASSAULT CAUSES PHYSICAL INJURY. THE CLASS D FELONY CARRIES A $500. - $5,000. FINE, AND FROM 2 TO 7 YEARS JAIL TIME.
SOCIAL SERVICES WORKERS PROVIDE A VALUABLE SERVICE TO OUR COMMUNITY AND REQUIRE AND DESERVE THE LEVEL OF PROTECTION PROVIDED BY THIS ENHANCED PENALTY.
THIS NEW LAW TAKES EFFECT ON November 1, 2012
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AVISO
Nueva ley del estado aumentando la penalización por agresión a cualquier empleado de servicios sociales.
Esta nueva ley aumenta las penas para asaltos de los trabajadores que están directamente involucrados en una entrevista, INVESTIGACIÓN, o en la prestación de asistencia pública. La ley se aplicará a cualquier persona cometiendo UN CRIMEN PARA EVITAR UN EMPLEADO DE SERVICIOS SOCIALES DE COMPLETAR Sus obligaciones del TRABAJO, incluyendo casos DONDE UNA LESIÓN ES CAUSADO POR UNA PERSONA que solto o falló a controlar un animal.
LA penalización CORRIENTE SE HA aumentado DE ASALTO EN EL TERCER GRADO, un delito clase a, Que es punible con hasta, pero no más de 1 año de cárcel, A un asalto en el segundo grado, Lo cual es un delito clase D, SI EL ASALTO causa una lesión física. EL delito clase D LLEVA una multa de $500. - $5.000. Y CÁRCEL DE 2 A 7 AÑOS.
Trabajadores de los servicios sociales proporcionan un servicio valioso a nuestra comunidad y requieren y merecen el nivel de protección con esta pena realzado.
Esta nueva ley toma efecto en el 01 de noviembre 2012
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Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
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 SNAP is the new name for the Food Stamp Program
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is the new name for the Food Stamp Program (effective August 29, 2012). SNAP issues monthly electronic benefits that can be used like cash to purchase food at authorized retail food stores. Eligibility and benefit levels are based on household size, income, assets and other factors.
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2011 Department of Social Services Annual Report |
 Click here to view the 2011 DSS Annual Report |
Child Care Providers
 Suffolk County encourages Child Care providers to participate in an online interactive checklist quiz to assess what quality improvements can be made related to these goals. Providers can create action plans to incorporate into their own programs, and earn a certificate of recognition after completion of the action plan. Click here for more information
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Effective February 1, 2012 |
 We will be centralizing all active Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP) and Medicaid cases for SSI recipients to the Smithtown Center, located at:
200 Wireless Blvd.Hauppauge, NY 11788
Click here for more information
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Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) |
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 HEAP is a federally funded program that provides heating benefits to supplement a household's annual energy cost. HEAP also provides emergency assistance for households in a heat or heat related energy emergency. Additionally, HEAP assists with furnace repairs and/or replacements for households with inoperable heating equipment. If you are in receipt of SNAP benefits (formerly known as Food Stamps), you may be eligible for a HEAP benefit.
Click here for more information.
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Daniel D. White Fund |
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 In 1939, Daniel D. White, a local Sayville resident, made provisions in his will for a fifty thousand dollar fund of money to assist the poor and needy in Sayville, West Sayville and Bayport.Click here for more information
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