Erie County Department of Social Services

Marie Cannon, Commissioner of Social Services

We envision a community where children, adults and families are healthy and safe and enjoy a quality life. As a responsive and efficient organization, we seek to continually engage the community in defining the role of Social Services. Our mission is to engage people in need and provide a broad range of efficient and effective assistance and services with community partners to facilitate a better future for the people of Erie County.

What's Happening in Erie County Department of Social Services

Special Enrollment Period for Uninsured New York residents

The New York State of Health and New York State Department of Financial Services have announced that a special enrollment period for uninsured New York State residents is being offered between the dates of March 16 and May 15, 2020.

For more information on this timeframe and initiative,...

Changes Due To COVID-19

All non-emergency client appointments at the Erie County Department of Social Services are suspended. We are restricting in-person assistance in our offices to those with emergency needs such as homelessness, eviction, disconnected utilities, and immediate lack of food.

We encourage the public to submit applications for services by mail to PO Box 120, Buffalo, NY 14201-9903. Applicants...

Commissioner's Video Messages

Erie County Department of Social Services Commissioner Marie A. Cannon, MSW shares updates about social services benefits programs via video message.

View videos here.

ECDSS expands Child Care Services provided to children and families affected by COVID-19.

The Erie County Department of Social Services is expanding the child care services provided to children and families affected by COVID-19.

See details here.

SNAP and Temporary Assistance Recertification Dates extended

Recertification Date Extension

If you are scheduled to recertify for SNAP or TA benefits between now and the end of May 2020, your recertification date has been extended out by three months.

If your case was scheduled to recertify by March 31, 2020, your case must now be recertified by June 30, 2020.

If your case was scheduled to recertify by April 30, 2020, and did not get processed, your case must now be...

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Foster Care/Homefinding

Summer Youth Employment Program

Telephone Directory

Day Care

Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents (ABAWDs)