Social Services

Please note we will be moving. Beginning August 8th our temporary address will be 5960 Main St., Glenfield, NY while our current building is remodeled. 

Our Mission is to Focus on the Well Being and Safety of Children, Adults 

and Families through a Variety of Economic Supports and Services

COMMISSIONER - Jennifer Jones

Services We Offer: 

Adult Protective Services (APS)

Child Care Subsidy

Child Protective Services (CPS)

Child Support Enforcement

Employment & Training

Foster / Adoptive Parent

Foster Care / Preventive Services

Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP)

Medicaid 

Preventive Services

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) 

Social Services Welfare Investigations

Temporary Assistance (TA)

Key Information for the Public in the need of or in receipt of Public Benefits during the Covid-19 Pandemic:

To help stop the spread of COVID-19 Lewis County DSS is asking applicants to do everything they can through myBenefits.ny.gov.  Please call the agency at 315-376-5400 with any questions prior to coming into the office. Currently All SNAP, Temporary Assistance and HEAP application interviews may be done by phone.

To Apply for SNAP or HEAP you can do so online at:  www.mybenefits.ny.gov

OR

To Apply for SNAP, Temporary Assistance or HEAP, you can also go to www.otda.ny.gov  and print off an application.

Or

Call 315-376-5400 and an application can be mailed to you.

You can submit the application and/or supporting documentation by:

• Fax:  315-376-4112
• Mail: PO Box 193 Lowville, NY 13367
• Drop box:  Located at the main entrance of the Social Services Building

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) issues electronic benefits that can be used like cash to purchase food. SNAP helps low-income working people, senior citizens, the disabled and others feed their families. Eligibility and benefit levels are based on household size, income and other factors.

It is possible to get SNAP right away, or within a few days of applying.   If you have little or no money and need help right away, you may qualify for "expedited" SNAP. If you do, you must receive your initial SNAP benefit within five days. You will still have to complete the eligibility process and supply all the required documentation at a later date. 

Any Stimulus rebate payments from the Federal Government’s CARE Act will be excluded as income.