Our Mission Statement:
The Department of Social Services enriches the quality of life for Suffolk County citizens who find themselves in need of assistance and services by providing child support enforcement services, food stamps, temporary financial, housing, medical and home energy assistance as well as protective and preventive services for vulnerable children and adults.
Our goal is to provide clients and applicants with the ability to gain self-sufficiency, to strengthen and preserve families, encourage personal responsibility and offering other services that will ultimately foster independence.
To apply for services, call or visit the local center serving your area. In addition, the New York State website My Benefits  is a quick and easy way to find answers to questions about New York State's programs and services.
In the event of specific emergencies, please call:

• Child Abuse Hotline 1 800 342-3720
• Abandoned Infant Information 1 (866) TLC-BABY or 1 (866) 852-2229  
• Adult Protective Intake (631)854-3195, (631) 854-3196, (631) 854-3197
• Emergency Services (After 4:30 PM & Weekends) (631) 854-9100

Or, you can always call 911 in any emergency.

What to expect - Helpful Hints
Employment Opportunities
How Do I Report Welfare Fraud? 
Public Forms
Service Centers 

NOTICE OF PROPOSED SETTLEMENT OF CLASS ACTION CONCERNING THE TIMELY PROCESSING OF FOOD STAMPS AND MEDICAID APPLICATIONS 
In 2008, a lawsuit was brought challenging the failure of the Suffolk County Department of Social Services (“SCDSS”) to timely process applications for food stamps and Medicaid.The plaintiffs and SCDSS have reached agreement on how to settle the case for the class. Click here for more information. 

CHILD CARE APPLICATIONS
All individuals applying for child care who meet the appropriate criteria must complete the following NYS Local DSS application: LDSS-2921.  All other individuals must complete the Wait List Screening Application.  (For this form in Spanish, click here.)  Have questions?  Call the Child Care Unit at 853-3666 to determine the appropriate form to complete.

SERVICE CENTER LOCATIONS AND EVENING HOURS
Each Center will now be open one evening per month.
Click here for Center evening hours schedule and directions 
In addition, the South West Center provides additional services and outreach programs from various governmental and community agencies.
Click here to view schedule and decriptions of programs available.

DIRECTORY FOR PUBLIC ACCESS TO SOCIAL SERVICES PROGRAMS
General information and telephone numbers
To View the Directory you must have Acrobat Reader

HOMELESSNESS PREVENTION AND RAPID RE-HOUSING PROGRAM 
**Addendum posted 6/30/09. To view, click here.
Substantial Amendment to the Consolidated Plan 2008 Action Plan for the Homelessness Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing Program (HPRP)
Applications for Homelessness Prevention and Rapid Rehousing Program that were submitted by July 15 are currently being reviewed.   Click here for more information or contact Saba Mchunguzi at (631) 854-9542.