Financial Assistance
585-268-9622
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families
As the name implies, Temporary
Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) is a temporary measure. Eligibility
is based on both the income and assets of the family. Most TANF
recipients are required to participate in employment programs, with a goal
of becoming financially self-sufficient. While they are working toward
this goal, TANF provides cash assistance to help people pay their rent,
utilities, and meet their other basic needs. TANF recipients are also
required to participate in other Department programs that apply to them,
such as child support enforcement or drug and alcohol screening.
Safety Net Assistance
Safety Net assistance can help
single individuals or childless couples in much the same way as TANF helps
families with children. Like TANF, eligibility is based on both the
income and assets, and most recipients are required to participate in
employment programs, with a goal of becoming financially self-sufficient.
All Safety Net applicants have a mandatory 45-day wait before they can
receive any benefits. While working toward this goal, Safety Net provides cash assistance to
help people pay their rent, utilities, and meet their other basic needs.
Safety Net recipients are also required to participate in other Department
programs that apply to them, such as drug and alcohol screening.
Emergency Assistance
Emergency assistance can help families and single individuals to meet
one-time emergency needs. Need and cost-effectiveness are determined on a
case-by-case basis. In some cases funds are loaned with an
expectation of repayment; in other cases funds are granted with no
expectation of repayment.
All
services have an application and interview process. You will be required
to bring several documents with you, including:
-
birth certificate,
driver's license or other proof of your identity.
-
social security card for
all household members, including children.
-
rent receipt/lease
agreement or mortgage/taxes/insurance.
-
gas, telephone, or
electric bills
-
bank statements on all
checking, savings, and other accounts, including CD's, bonds, credit
unions, etc.
-
pay stubs for all
employment income, or self-employed records.
-
copies of Social Security,
VA, or other checks received.
-
cancelled checks or other
proof of payment to child care providers.
-
cancelled checks or other
proof of payment to medical provider or for Health Insurance.
