The Department of Social Services offers temporary help for needy men, women and children. If you are unable to work, can't find a job or your job does not pay enough to meet your basic living expenses you may be able to get help. Erie County has a Work First policy that focuses on the temporary nature of cash assistance and an individual's responsibility to achieve self-sufficiency.

Emergency Temporary Assistance offers help for an urgent need or situation that has to be taken care of right away. Some examples of an emergency are:

• You are homeless.
• You have received an eviction notice.
• You do not have fuel for heating during the cold weather period.
• Your utilities are shut off or are about to be shut off.
• You or someone in your family has been beaten, abused or threatened with harm by a husband, wife, partner, ex-partner or other member of the household.
• Applications for Emergency Services should be filed on the second floor of 460 Main Street, Buffalo.  To contact the Emergency Services Unit by phone, call (716) 858-6265. This unit had previously been located on the first floor of 478 Main St., and re-located effective October 15, 2018.