*Providing financial assistance for COVID-19 related funeral expenses incurred after January 20, 2020.

Supports the continuing education of students interested in the field of Forensic Science. SCOME has opportunities that can allow interns to work side by side with Laboratory professionals (including forensic scientists specializing in drug chemistry, biological sciences [DNA Analysis], firearms examination, toxicology and trace evidence. The internship program can allow students to observe an autopsy examination, assist in the forensic laboratories and gain knowledge of forensic investigative techniques. Call for detailed information.

Covers basic burial costs for Temporary Assistance recipients, stillborn infants or any other person found dead in the County who is not under the jurisdiction of another social services district. DSS Approval prior to finalization with the Funeral Home is required. A simple prescreening from any computer with internet access at any time determines whether you are likely to qualify for burial assistance. Call for detailed information.

Serves and acts as the Coroner for Oswego County, which involves investigating the cause, manner, and circumstance of unattended and suspicious deaths that occur in the county.

Offers temporary help for individuals and families in need while they work towards self sufficiency. Will assist with security deposit or first month's rent, but not both. Responsible for paying for and assisting in the scheduling of burials for residents of Albany County who die without funds or family to arrange and pay for a burial.

Family Assistance (FA) provides money for families with children. Cash benefits are limited to five years in a recipient's lifetime. After five years, a Family Assistance recipient may continue to receive benefits if an adult is disabled and cannot work or may be required to apply for assistance through the Safety Net category.

Safety Net Assistance (SNA) provides money for basic living expenses for single adults and childless couples (or families who have used up their five-year limit of FA). Cash benefits are limited to two years in a recipient's lifetime. After two years, the non-cash Safety Net Assistance voucher system provides benefits.

Emergency Temporary Assistance through Emergency Assistance for Families (EAF) or Emergency Safety Net Assistance (ESNA) provides assistance for crisis situations including evictions, moving expenses, utility shutoffs, and diversion payments to help individuals avoid the need for ongoing assistance. Individuals do not need to be on public assistance to receive Emergency Temporary Assistance.

Investigates deaths in instances where public interest is served by explaining cause, manner, and mechanism of death. Makes inquiries regarding all unnatural deaths within the county.

Covers basic burial costs for Temporary Assistance recipients, stillborn infants or any other person found dead in the County who is not under the jurisdiction of another social services district. DSS Approval prior to finalization with the Funeral Home is required. A simple prescreening from any computer with internet access at any time determines whether you are likely to qualify for burial assistance. Call for detailed information.

Veteran services include pension benefits, compensation benefits, VA home loans, property tax exemption, VA healthcare eligibility and forms, burial benefits, and access to the Orange County Veterans Cemetery. VA clinics are located in Port Jervis and Middletown. Transportation to and from appointments available.

Provides temporary benefits and services to income eligible individuals and families with the aim of helping them become self-sufficient. Services include Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) or Family Assistance, Safety Net Assistance (for single individuals or childless couples), employment and food stamp benefits. Child care subsidies are available to low income families to enable them to afford child care and continue to work. May use a registered or informal provider or a relative.

Provides financial assistance for eligible families in various ways: Basic Living Expenses - Rent, mortgage payment and/or utilities, supermarket gift cards, when these bills have become unmanageable after a child's diagnosis and/or a parent must stop working to care for their sick child. Illness-related Expenses - medical co-pays, transportation for treatment, medical equipment, and childcare to keep siblings safe when parents must be with their hospitalized child. End of Life Expenses - will help with funeral arrangements and expenses, and provide bereavement support.

The society educates the public via newsletters, speakers bureau and literature about their rights under the local, state, and federal laws. The society has also negotiated agreements with licensed funeral directors to provide cremation, burial and other services for members at reasonable costs. Acts as advocacy group.

Determines eligibility for and administers financial assistance in the form of Medicaid, Food Stamps/SNAP, Public Assistance, Emergency Assistance, and assistance with burials; see separate listing for HEAP. Provides Welfare Fraud Hotline and places great emphasis on identifying fraudulent applications both prior to and during case opening. Also assigns activities to clients that will assist them in locating employment to end or decrease their need for assistance.

The COVID-19 incident period ended on May 11, 2023. FEMA will continue to provide funeral assistance until Sept. 30, 2025, to those who have lost loved ones due to this pandemic.

Administers Medicaid program to assist eligible individuals in our community in obtaining necessary and appropriate medical care through programs such as Medicaid, Medicaid Social Security Income (SSI), Child Health Plus, Personal Care Supports including nursing and personal care aids, managed care insurance, and long-term care supports, among others. Child/Teen Health Program is a preventive health program which provides continuing medical care to your children. Also provides for burial when a Temporary Assistance recipient or other indigent person dies leaving no funds or insurance sufficient to pay the cost and there are no relatives, friends or other persons liable or willing to take responsibility for the burial expense. Office serves as a Cooling Center during times of excessive heat. Always call ahead to make sure a Cooling Center is open before going there.

Provides financial assistance for burial costs to bereaved parents. Assists with burial expenses for infants up to one year old. Also provides two memorial gardens where parents can come and commune with their baby. Parent can purchase a memorial marker as an option. Please refer to website for more information.

Responsible for investigating the death of any person who dies within Erie County as a result of criminal violence, neglect, casualty, suicide, or in any suspicious or unusual manner. Other cases investigated include those involving individuals who die suddenly when in apparent health or those unattended by a physician. The office also investigates deaths occurring while a person is confined in a public institution other than a hospital, infirmary, or nursing home. The Histology laboratory and the Forensic Toxicology laboratory within the Medical Examiner's Office provide specialized laboratory services in death and DUI, drug facilitated and sexual assault investigations. The Medical Examiner's Office generates death certificates as to cause and manner of death. Manners of death are classified as natural, accidental, homicide, suicide, or undetermined.

Responsible for responding to the scene of an incident to perform preliminary investigation on cause and manner of death, then releases a final autopsy report once investigation and testing is completed. The coroner's office may take custody of a person who has died in various circumstances including but not limited to a young person without documented medical history, a person with no legal next-of-kin or one that cannot be determined or identified during the initial investigation, or any person who has died due to unnatural circumstances. Also plays a role in developing the county’s Mass casualty/Fatality Plan in preparation for any catastrophic incidents, which could be caused by natural, accidental, criminal or infectious means. Does not provide copies of death certificates, contact NYS Department of Health or the local town, village, or city clerk in the municipality where the death occurred.

Investigates and certifies cause and manner of sudden, accidental, suspicious, violent or unattended death. Provides forensic toxicology and crime laboratory services for the County and Criminal Justice partners. This state-of-the-art laboratory performs analysis in all three areas of forensic toxicology: post-mortem, human performance, and forensic drug testing. Specimens are analyzed for law enforcement agencies, Drug Court, DWI Program, drug facilitated sexual assault, the Probation department, and the Methadone Maintenance Program. Call for detailed information of services for the community.

Variety of federal and state cash assistance programs including but not limited to temporary assistance and employment. Evaluates and processes families and individuals who demonstrate the need for financial assistance. Regularly re-determines eligibility and makes case adjustments reflecting changes in the circumstances of the household.

The Resource Recovery Unit attempts to recoup non-exempt income and assets from a client receiving social service benefits, in the cases where total resources were under reported. Files liens, judgments, assignments, state claims and mortgages in appropriate cases to preserve the rights of the Department. The Cash Management System (CAMS) coordinates and oversees all aspects of overpayment and advance payment collections for all benefit programs. Follows up on all repayment agreements. Negotiates mutually acceptable repayment arrangements, and as a last resort, refers matters for civil litigation when necessary. Unit also pays for burials in the death of an indigent individual.

Covers basic burial costs for Temporary Assistance recipients, stillborn infants or any other person found dead in the County who is not under the jurisdiction of another social services district. DSS Approval prior to finalization with the Funeral Home is required. A simple prescreening from any computer with internet access at any time determines whether you are likely to qualify for burial assistance. Call for detailed information.