Emergency Assistance - Ecdss

This program offers financial support to eligible individuals experiencing crises by providing one-time, non-recurring payments for urgent situations. Assistance may include security agreements with landlords, fees for extermination, moving or storage costs, and payments for utility arrears to prevent service disconnections or restore services. The financial aid is structured as a loan for utility shut-offs, evictions, moving/storage costs, property repairs, rental and mortgage support, and foreclosure situations. Instead of a security deposit, a security agreement is issued to landlords. Immediate needs addressed include: Shelter Arrears, Utility Arrears, Security Agreements, Moving/Storage Assistance, Water Arrears (for clients at risk of water shut-off), essential household items (for those not receiving Temporary Assistance), urgent property repairs (after health evaluations), extermination services, assistance grants for guide dogs, and enhanced shelter allowances for Temporary Assistance recipients, as well as SSI check replacements.

Intake Procedure: Emergency Assistance applications can be sent via fax to 716-858-2628, mailed to the Erie County Department of Social Services, Unit FA6/75000, P.O. Box 120, Buffalo NY 14201-0120, or delivered in person at the Rath Building, 158 Pearl Street, 1st Floor, Buffalo, NY 14202. A reliable phone number must be included on the application, and the Department of Social Services will aim to contact each applicant on the same day for an interview.

Fees: There are no fees for this service.