Temporary Assistance Suffolk County New York

Sullivan County Manager Joshua Potosek said, "I thank Governor Hochul for living up to her promise to bring New Yorkers the resources they need to recover. This hurricane was one for the history books, and communities across our county and this state depend on compassionate leadership as they try to put their lives back together."

Governor Hochul and the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services continue to work with federal, state, and local partners to ensure New Yorkers are provided with the resources and assistance to fully recover from the devastating effects of Hurricane Ida. Preliminary Damage Assessments continue to take place in additional counties that were impacted by Ida and the State will request additional counties receive assistance, if eligible.

A Major Disaster Declaration, requested by the Governor and signed by the U.S. President, allows for financial assistance from the federal government to provide disaster relief and allow communities to recover through either Public Assistance or a combination of Public and Individual Assistance. Public Assistance provides emergency assistance to save lives and protect property as well as funding debris removal and repairs to public buildings and infrastructure, including roads, bridges, schools, parks, hospitals, police stations, fire houses, water and waste watertreatment facilities and other publicly-owned facilities.

Individual Assistance provides direct support for individuals and homeowners. New Yorkers may also be able to receive funds for other uninsured or under-insured disaster-caused expenses and serious needs, such as repair or replacement of personal property or funds for moving and storage, or medical, dental, and child care. Homeowners and renters should make every effort to document their losses. In counties that qualify for Individual Assistance, eligible homeowners will work directly with FEMA to obtain funding. Assistance can include funds for temporary housing units, housing and driveway repairs, crisis counseling, unemployment assistance and legal services.

Governor Hochul previously announced the launch of the new online resource hub for impacted New Yorkers, available at ny.gov/Ida. The hub provides information on available assistance programs and where to find services such as shelter and access to food. Information on the site will be updated as more resources for New Yorkers become available. Additionally, the State is partnering with New York City to support Recovery Service Centers, which enlist the support of elected officials who represent impacted communities and provide information on available resources and assistance.

Governor Hochul also directed that $378 million in previously awarded hazard mitigation funding from FEMA be devoted to bolstering New York State's infrastructure against extreme weather.

Governor Hochul encourages local officials in the impacted counties to continue working with county emergency managers to submit any resource needs directly into NY Responds, the state's web-based system that enables both local governments and state agencies to submit and share vital emergency-related information and resource requests.

Temporary Assistance Suffolk County New York

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What is Emergency Assistance to Adults (EAA)?

Emergency Assistance to Adults (EAA) is available to Supplemental Security Income (SSI) recipients who face emergency situations which endanger their health, safety or welfare.

What are the Available Resources under EAA?

These emergency needs would include financial help to prevent evictions and homelessness, the provision of emergency housing and payment for moving expenses, among other items of need.

An EAA funded emergency shelter allowance is also available to persons who have AIDS or persons who have tested positive for HIV and have an HIV-related illness provided that certain eligibility criteria are met.

What is Emergency Assistance to Families (EAF)?

Emergency Assistance to Families (EAF) is a federally participating program which helps to meet the needs of persons dealing with crises and emergency situations beyond their control. Such needs could include financial help with eviction, homelessness, heating fuel, utility disconnects, domestic violence, and child care (day care or temporary foster care).

Who is eligible for EAF?

To be eligible for EAF, either as part of an ongoing public assistance case or for one-time only assistance, certain criteria must be met:

Households may receive regular benefits in one of the ways listed below:

Click Here for HEAP Application

Those applicants aged 60 or older, in receipt of temporary assistance (TA), Food Stamps (FS), or SSI or those under age 60 who received a benefit in the prior year are permitted mail in access. Outreach is performed to groups with vulnerable individuals. Applicants over the age of 60 should contact the Schenectady County DSS at 797 Broadway.

The table below shows the coverage area by county for each of the eight regional food banks in New York State. If you need emergency food assistance, please call the food bank in your county. The food bank will assist you in finding the nearest food pantry.

Town residents are provided guidance and advocacy in applying for financial assistance available from county, state, and federal programs, such as Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF), Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP), and Social Security Disability. Residents in need of emergency assistance such as food, help with utility cut-offs, those who are at risk of eviction are also served. Residents are interviewed by the community advocate who will identify client needs and help complete the appropriate applications. HEAP applications can be processed by the advocate, eliminating a trip to the county office.

This snapshot captures major cash assistance, food assistance, and tax credits provided in the most recent year for which data are available for each program, but is not comprehensive; there are additional supports provided to low-income families, such as housing subsidies and other tax credit programs not included here. It also does not capture temporary relief programs, such as the Emergency Rental Assistance Program, that were instrumental in alleviating burdens for low- income residents during the pandemic.

Several analyses by the Census Bureau and research institutes find that a comprehensive response from the federal government during the pandemic resulted in an unprecedented drop in the poverty rate.38 SPM estimates for these two years capture income from temporary assistance in the form of expanded unemployment benefits, stimulus payments, expanded tax credits, sustained or expanded Medicaid coverage, emergency meal replacements and rental assistance. Such support drove historic drops in the national SPM rates from 11.8 percent in 2019 to 9.2 percent in 2020 and 7.8 percent in 2021, the lowest rates since the Census Bureau started reporting SPM rates.39

If your loved one was on temporary assistance when he or she passed away, the Suffolk County Department of Social Services might pay for the burial. The department also pays for the burial of stillborn infants. You can undergo a pre screening online to see if the department will pay for a basic burial.

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