“The Temporary Assistance Unit works closely with individuals to achieve the goal of increasing self-sufficiency. Examiners determine and monitor eligibility for Temporary Assistance (Family Assistance and Safety Net Assistance) and such programs as Food Stamps, Medicaid, Emergency Aid, and Home Energy Assistance Program. Assistance in obtaining such benefits as child support, daycare, and safe affordable housing can make the difference that overcomes barriers to employment and family stability.

Emergency Assistance is available to assist those households in a crisis situation even though they may be ineligible for ongoing assistance. These applicants seek help when their income is not sufficient to pay their rent, heat/utility bills, for food or if there is a need to replace clothing or furniture lost in a fire or other disaster.

This division is also responsible for the ongoing operation and monitoring of numerous programs and policies and are working closely with other divisions and agencies toward the goal of self-sufficiency. There is a Landlord Liaison in our Undercare Unit to assist landlords with questions or problems. A Domestic Violence Liaison is available to see each client who signs a screening instrument and indicates a desire to meet with her. A drug/ alcohol team can help with substance abuse issues and treatment. There is also a team to help those unable to work due to physical or mental disabilities.

You can apply for assistance on the state website at www.otda.state.ny.us. You can download an application from the DSS website and submit it via email. You can also apply by going to your local DSS building. You will be required to provide supporting documentation. The following is a partial list of possible required information:

• ID

• birth certificates

• marriage certificate

• social security cards

• shelter expenses

• proof of income -last 4 weeks, 2 if biweekly

• proof of resources such as: bank accounts, cars, stocks, bonds etc.

Report any changes within 10 days of the change or receipt of any income.”

The Representative Payee is an organization designated by Social Security to receive SSD or SSI benefits on a beneficiary’s behalf. RCAL has a contract with Ulster County and is the Representative Payee for Ulster County. The Representative Payee is responsible for helping the beneficiary to budget money and to disburse the beneficiary’s funds to pay for current needs including housing and utilities, food, medical expenses, and personal needs items.

Retirement Planning

A program for families on rental assistance through Belmont Housing Resources of WNY. The program assists family gain financial independence through credit counseling, help with budgeting, job search assistance, financial education classes, homeownership counseling, and referral services.

“Modest Needs' hallmark grant is our Self-Sufficiency Grant. We make Self-Sufficiency Grants in an effort to assist individuals and families who, because they are working and live just above the poverty level, are ineligible for most types of conventional social assistance but who, all the same, are living one or two lost paychecks away from the kind of financial catastrophe that eventually leads to homelessness.

We have designed our programs to help those who work hard and have nowhere else to go for assistance, as well as those who give back to our communities and country such as public school teachers, first responders, veterans returning from service abroad and active duty military members. Our aim is to support those who don't generally qualify to receive assistance from conventional agencies so that they don't find themselves losing everything because of a short-term crisis.

Generally, Modest Needs offers Self-Sufficiency Grants to qualified individuals / households who need help to afford two specific types of expenses:

• Unexpected or emergency expenses that an individual or family living paycheck-to-paycheck could not possibly afford without a short-term hand-up.

Examples of expenses of this type with which Modest Needs has helped in the past include everything from the cost of medical care not covered by insurance to the cost of repairing or replacing a major appliance to the cost of required work tools or uniforms to the cost of legal fees to complete an adoption to - tragically - the cost of burying a family member that has unexpectedly passed away; and

• Monthly bills that an individual or family living paycheck-to-paycheck cannot afford to pay at the time of their application because of a documentable extenuating circumstance that occurred within the past year.

For example, if you were required to take unpaid leave from work because your child was ill and now cannot afford the cost of your auto insurance, or if you were in an auto accident and cannot afford this month's rent or mortgage payment because you had to pay a deductible to repair your car - under these kinds of documentable emergency situations, Modest Needs would consider paying a regular monthly bill on behalf of your household on a one-time basis.”

Go to the website to read more about the limitations and requirements of the grant.

Exploring Credit & Debt Management Issues

Making Ends Meet

One-to-One Financial Coaching

Contact:

Linda Law-Saunders

Family and Consumer Science Educator

lsl64@cornell.edu

(518) 746-2560

The Financial Assistance Division is responsible for the delivery of temporary assistance, Medicaid, food stamps and day care and for ensuring that only persons eligible for public assistance services are provided such aid. This division also includes employment, domestic violence and managed health care services., Financial Assistance services are provided in the form of cash, rent, utilities, transportation, food/nutrition, housing, health insurance, child care, job search support, and job skills training to those who meet eligibility requirements

Only CCCS of Rochester combines in-depth financial services expertise, innovative service delivery infrastructure with a committment to a personalized approach creating affordable financial solutions that improve the lives of seniors, caregivers and people with disabilities.

•Free four-part classes to increase financial literacy and money management.

•Please call for the latest schedule.

aka (CCCS) Provides budget and credit counseling, bankruptcy counseling, housing programs and debt management programs. Call and talk to a representative. Offers counseling over the phone, through the website or at a office location.