Determines eligibility for and administers financial assistance in the form of Medicaid, Food Stamps/SNAP, Public Assistance, Emergency Assistance, and assistance with burials; see separate listing for HEAP. Provides Welfare Fraud Hotline and places great emphasis on identifying fraudulent applications both prior to and during case opening. Also assigns activities to clients that will assist them in locating employment to end or decrease their need for assistance.

Provides food benefits to low-income families to supplement their grocery budget so they can afford the nutritious food essential to health and well-being. Handles SNAP appeals/complaints and SNAP fraud reporting.Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents (ABAWDs) are SNAP recipients aged 18-64 who are able to work and don't have a dependent child in their household. They can only receive SNAP benefits for a limited time (3 months in a 36-month period) unless they meet certain work requirements or have an exemption. These work requirements generally involve working or participating in a work program for at least 20 hours per week (80 hours per month). These requirements will not go into effect until FebruaryThere have been a lot of "skimming" problems with EBT cards - it is recommended that people lock their cards if they are not using them and unlock when they go to use them.Below is the link to the EBT Skimming Scam - there is a way to lock EBT cards and this link lets clients know how to do it.EBT Scam Alert | OTDA

Offers information about patient rights when hospitalized, medical records review for quality of care and other information regarding health care through Medicare and Medicaid programs, including Medicaid fraud.

SNAP, formerly food stamps, issues monthly electronic benefits that can be used like cash for authorized retail food stores. Eligibility based on household size, income, and other factors.Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents (ABAWDs) are SNAP recipients aged 18-64 who are able to work and don't have a dependent child in their household. They can only receive SNAP benefits for a limited time (3 months in a 36-month period) unless they meet certain work requirements or have an exemption. These work requirements generally involve working or participating in a work program for at least 20 hours per week (80 hours per month). These requirements will not go into effect until FebruaryThere have been a lot of "skimming" problems with EBT cards - it is recommended that people lock their cards if they are not using them and unlock when they go to use them.Below is the link to the EBT Skimming Scam - there is a way to lock EBT cards and this link lets clients know how to do it.EBT Scam Alert | OTDA

Investigates all reported allegations of fraud in the Temporary Assistance, SNAP, Medicaid, HEAP, and Day Care programs. Also investigates day care providers being paid by Social Services who do not really provide care and cases involving food stamp trafficking. Does not investigate Social Security, Disability, Workman's Comp, Unemployment, or Section 8.

Investigates all reported allegations of fraud in the Temporary Assistance, SNAP, Medicaid, HEAP, and Day Care programs. Also investigates day care providers being paid by Social Services who do not really provide care and cases involving food stamp trafficking. Does not investigate Social Security, Disability, Workman's Comp, Unemployment, or Section 8.

Investigates all reported allegations of fraud in the Temporary Assistance, SNAP, Medicaid, HEAP, and Day Care programs. Also investigates day care providers being paid by Social Services who do not really provide care and cases involving food stamp trafficking. Does not investigate Social Security, Disability, Workman's Comp, Unemployment, or Section 8.

Investigates all complaints of fraud or misuse of all assistance programs and determines over-payments that are uncovered due to these investigations. Work is done in conjunction with the Niagara County Sheriff's Department Investigators. Also helps to prepare cases for prosecution with the Assistant District Attorney of Niagara County. Housing Unit processes all requests for additional allowance, security agreements, and help with furnishings for temporary assistance recipients. Front End Detection System (FEDS) verifies information on the application to ensure accuracy.

Investigates complaints regarding allegations of public assistance and benefits fraud and over-payments of SNAP and Medicaid. Clearly established cases of fraud are referred to the District Attorney's office for possible criminal prosecution.

Provides information for people with questions about HEAP, Food stamps (SNAP), Temporary Assistance, denied benefits, and other benefits-related issues.

Investigation of fraud, potential fraud, or questionable areas within the SNAP eligibility programs of the Department of Social Services.

Investigates all reported allegations of fraud in the Temporary Assistance, SNAP, Medicaid, HEAP, and Day Care programs. Also investigates day care providers being paid by Social Services who do not really provide care and cases involving food stamp trafficking. Does not investigate Social Security, Disability, Workman's Comp, Unemployment, WIC, or Section 8.

Investigates all reported allegations of fraud in the Temporary Assistance, SNAP, Medicaid, HEAP, and Day Care programs. Also investigates day care providers being paid by Social Services who do not really provide care and cases involving food stamp trafficking. Does not investigate Social Security, Disability, Workman's Comp, Unemployment, or Section 8.

If eligible, the SNAP benefit is made available on a card that can be scanned at grocery stores to be used as money to purchase food. Expedited service is available to very low-income families and individuals.Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents (ABAWDs) are SNAP recipients aged 18-64 who are able to work and don't have a dependent child in their household. They can only receive SNAP benefits for a limited time (3 months in a 36-month period) unless they meet certain work requirements or have an exemption. These work requirements generally involve working or participating in a work program for at least 20 hours per week (80 hours per month). These requirements will not go into effect until FebruaryThere have been a lot of "skimming" problems with EBT cards - it is recommended that people lock their cards if they are not using them and unlock when they go to use them.Below is the link to the EBT Skimming Scam - there is a way to lock EBT cards and this link lets clients know how to do it.EBT Scam Alert | OTDA

Investigates all reported allegations of fraud in the Temporary Assistance, SNAP, Medicaid, HEAP, and Day Care programs. Also investigates day care providers being paid by Social Services who do not really provide care and cases involving food stamp trafficking. Does not investigate Social Security, Disability, Workman's Comp, Unemployment, or Section 8.

Investigation of fraud, potential fraud, or questionable areas within the SNAP eligibility programs of the Department of Social Services.

The Special Investigations Unit investigates reports of public assistance fraud, regarding food stamps, TANF, medicaid, or other public assistance. Also investigates lost or stolen public assistance checks.

Assists with uncovering, prosecuting, and deterring welfare fraud.

Provides Congregate lunches, nutrition education and counseling, and home-delivered meals for homebound elderly, nutrition education and counseling.

Fall 2025 Update- When the temperature drops below 32 degrees (including wind chill) Code blue is enacted. Contact Dept of Social Services during business hours (M-F 8:30-4:30) , if after business hours contact non emergency dispatch at 607-272-2444 to be connected to on call caseworker.The Code Blue shelter is located at 227 Cherry st IthacaConducts emergency assessments for homeless individuals and families.Domestic Violence ServicesAssistance to persons with emergency need for housing and/or food or are victims of domestic violence. Determines eligibility and refers those eligible to appropriate services. administers Housing First, helping homeless families and individuals obtain housing that otherwise might be unaffordable.(see Social Services Department, T.C., Housing First/STEPH for details) one-time furniture vouchers. If furniture is destroyed by fire, flood, etc, additional voucher can be obtained if individual applies and is determined income-eligible for DSS services. ESG- Emergency Solutions Grant: See separate program record

* Reporting of Medicaid fraud, TANF fraud and Food Stamps fraud.

Investigates all reported allegations of fraud in the Temporary Assistance, SNAP, Medicaid, HEAP, and Day Care programs. Also investigates day care providers being paid by Social Services who do not really provide care and cases involving food stamp trafficking. Does not investigate Social Security, Disability, Workman's Comp, Unemployment, or Section 8.

* Investigates compliance and fraud issues in public assistance programs, SNAP, medical assistance and child day care programs. * Refers cases for administrative hearings and criminal prosecutions as needed.