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Assistance Programs
The Department of Social Services assistance programs provide services to individuals and families in need. These programs are designed to alleviate hardship and promote family health, personal responsibility, economic independence, and self-sufficiency.
These programs may assist in home heating, nutritional support, temporary cash assistance, child care subsidies, indigent burial needs, and to help defray the cost of medical expenses.
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Burials
The Department of Social Services serves as the county's indigent burial application site. The Indigent Burial Program pays for the disposition of bodies of deceased county residents whose estate cannot provide for a burial.
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Cash Assistance
Temporary Assistance is a financial assistance program that offers temporary help to individuals and families on a short-termed basis until the household is able to achieve self-sufficiency.
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Child Care Assistance
Get information about the child care assistance programs available in Madison County.
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Rent Assistance Programs
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Expanded Social Security Online Services
The Social Security Administration (SSA) has recently announced the expansion of its online services. Individuals aged 18 and older can now establish a mySocial Security account to access information about their benefits, earnings, and estimates for retirement. The portal contains links to information about other SSA online services such as applications for retirement, disability and Medicare. Additional services are also available to Social Security recipients.
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Home Energy Assistance Program
The NYS Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) is a federally funded program that assists low-income New Yorkers in meeting their home energy needs. The HEAP program is comprised of Regular Benefit, Emergency Benefit, and Weatherization components.
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Medical Assistance
Most families and individuals must apply for health insurance (including Medicaid) through the New York State of Health program (also called the Health Exchange) either by online, by telephone, or in person through a Navigator or Certified Application Counselor.
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Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program
SNAP is administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) with the focus on nutrition. The program issues monthly benefits redeemable at authorized food retail stores with an EBT card. Eligibility and benefits levels are based on household size and income.
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