Provides undesignated temporary financial aid to low income people and families for daily necessities.

Temporary assistance provides financial support and emergency assistance to individuals and families who meet income and resource eligibility criteria.

Temporary Assistance (TA) is a form of temporary financial assistance available for needy children, families and single individuals. This program may be able to assist you if you are unable to work, cannot find a job or your income does not meet your basic needs. Temporary Assistance may be able to help pay for expenses such as food, clothing, rent/mortgage, heat and utilities.

Provides services relating to the following: Issuance/Filing of Vital Records (birth, death and marriage certificates),Building Permits, Certified copies of birth, death and marriage certificates, conditional use permits, county landfill coupons, dog licenses, replacement tags, impoundment, fire and police alarm permits, garbage/trash licenses, junk licenses, notary public services,

Chautauqua County provides once-only or alternative assistance to applicants, who are low-income and without sufficient resources, in the form of diversion services. This diversion assistance is available to persons who are at risk of needing ongoing Temporary Assistance. The purpose is to improve the applicant's opportunities for employment or to maintain their current employment so that the need for ongoing assistance wouldn't be necessary.

Services Provided Diversion services include, but are not limited to:

**Transportation Needs - For eligible applicants some of the needs might include help with motor vehicle insurance, vehicle registration and/or necessary vehicle repairs to ensure transportation to and from employment

**Work-Related Expenses - For eligible applicants some of the expenses might include purchase of work clothes, work boots and/or tools necessary for employment

POTS’ Case Management team can assist you with public benefits (SNAP and health insurance applications on-site), supportive housing, and general advocacy. POTS also provides referrals to detox and outpatient treatment, shelters, employment, financial counseling, educational, and other programs.

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, TA may help to pay for some of your basic expenses.

Applicants may also be issued SNAP and Medicaid benefits and referred to other resources to help them overcome obstacles to becoming financially stable.

Temporary Assistance provides financial help to those families or individuals who qualify. Emergency assistance may also be available.

Temporary Assistance (518)266-7800

Cash benefits, Medical Assistance and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits are available to applicants whose income is insufficient to meet their needs. To make an appointment to apply call 518-266-7800. Applications can also be submitted online through the myBenefits portal.

Emergency assistance is designed to provide low-income households with assistance in meeting needs such as evictions, utility disconnections, emergency fuel needs and homelessness, without receiving public assistance on a full time basis.

Temporary assistance is temporary help for needy men, women and children, and encompasses both Family Assistance and the Safety Net Program.

Family Assistance

Safety Net Assistance

myBenefits

Family Assistance (FA)

Family Assistance (FA) provides cash assistance to needy families that include a minor child living with a parent (including families where both parents are in the household) or a caretaker relative. FA operates under federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) guidelines.

Under FA, eligible adults are limited to receiving benefits for a total of 60 months in their lifetime, including months of TANF-funded assistance granted in other states. Once this limit is reached, that adult and all members of his or her FA household are ineligible to receive any more FA benefits. The months need not be consecutive, but rather each individual month in which TANF-funded benefits are received is included in the lifetime count. The counting of this 60-month limit began in December 1996 in accordance with the Welfare Reform Act of 1996.

Parents and other adult relatives who can work must be working or involved in work-like activities. Parents are also responsible for cooperating with the local department of social services in locating any absent parent. Non-cooperation without good cause could result in lower benefits.

In addition, all applicants for assistance are screened for substance abuse to determine the necessity of rehabilitation and treatment.

The Temporary Assistance Unit works closely with individuals to achieve the goal of increasing self sufficiency. Examiners determine and monitor eligibility for Temporary Assistance (Family Assistance and Safety Net Assistance) and such programs as Food Stamps, Medicaid, Emergency Aid, and Home Energy Assistance Program. Assistance in obtaining such benefits as child support, daycare, and safe affordable housing can make the difference that overcomes barriers to employment and family stability.

Emergency Assistance is available to assist those households in a crisis situation even though they may be ineligible for ongoing assistance. These applicants seek help when their income is not sufficient to pay their rent, heat/utility bills, for food or if there is a need to replace clothing or furniture lost in a fire or other disaster.