Jefferson County Department Of Social Services

This initiative offers short-term financial support for individuals and families in need as they aim for self-sufficiency. Family Assistance (FA) delivers funds to families with children, with cash benefits capped at five years over a recipient's lifetime. After this period, a Family Assistance case may still receive aid if an adult is disabled and unable to work, or they might need to seek help through the Safety Net category. Safety Net Assistance (SNA) offers financial aid for essential living costs to single adults and couples without children (or families who have exhausted their five-year FA limit). This cash assistance is restricted to two years in a recipient's lifetime, after which a non-cash Safety Net Assistance voucher system takes over. Emergency Temporary Assistance, available through Emergency Assistance for Families (EAF) or Emergency Safety Net Assistance (ESNA), supports individuals in crisis situations such as evictions, moving costs, utility shutoffs, food expenses, and diversion payments to prevent the need for ongoing assistance. Individuals do not have to be on public assistance to qualify for Emergency Temporary Assistance.

Intake Procedure: Apply by calling or visiting in person.

Fees: None