Emergency Assistance - ECDSS | Erie County Works Center - ECDSS

Assists eligible individuals in a crisis by issuing one-time, non-recurring payments to meet emergency situations. The unit may assist with security agreements to landlords, utility arrears payments to avoid shut-offs or to restore service, extermination fees, and moving or storage expenses. Financial assistance is made in the form of a loan for utility shut-off, evictions, moving/storage expenses, property repair, rental assistance, mortgage assistance, and foreclosure. A security agreement is provided to landlords instead of a security deposit. Emergency and immediate needs assisted include: - Shelter Arrears - Utility Arrears - Security Agreements - Moving Assistance / Storage Assistance - Water Arrears - Stoves/Fridges/Household Establishments of Furniture (for Households not receiving Temporary Assistance) - Essential Property Repair for Homeowners (pending a health evaluation/inspection to confirm that the issue in need of repair poses a hazard to the residents' health) - Extermination - Grants of Assistance for Guide Dogs - Enhanced Shelter Allowance Determination for Temporary Assistance Recipients - SSI Check Replacement

Physical Address

158 Pearl St, Buffalo, NY 14202

Voice

(716) 858-8000

Main Phone

Voice

(716) 858-6265

Emergency Services Voicemail

Voice

(716) 858-8000

Main Phone

Fax

(716) 858-6852

Fax

Fax

(716) 858-2101

Fax

Application process

Applications for Emergency Assistance may be: - Faxed to 716-858-2628 - Mailed to Erie County Department of Social Services, Unit FA6/75000, P.O. Box 120, Buffalo NY 14201-0120 OR - Dropped off at the Rath Building, 158 Pearl Street, 1st Floor, Buffalo, NY 14202 Must provide a reliable phone number on the application. DSS will attempt to contact each client the same day for an interview.

Fee

Free.

Eligibility

Residents of Erie County.

Agency info

Erie County - Department of Social Services (ECDSS)