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.

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.

Provides financial assistance towards burial costs when deceased was indigent.

Oversees the establishment, maintenance and preservation of burial grounds for all nonprofit cemeteries in New York State.

Burial expense assistance for those who qualify.

Offers burial and memorial benefits for Veterans and eligible family members, which include interment, headstones and markers, and Presidential memorial certificates.

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 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.

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 Temporary Assistance including Family Assistance, Safety Net Assistance, SNAP, Low Income Household Water Assistance Program, and childcare assistance. An application for Temporary Assistance is an automatic application for Medical Assistance and SNAP benefits. May be able to assist with rent and mortgage payments, depending on the circumstances. Provides once-only or alternative assistance to applicants, who are low-income and without sufficient resources, in the form of diversion services. May include transportation and work related expense assistance. 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. See separate record for HEAP program.

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.

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.

Administers Temporary Assistance including Family Assistance, Safety Net Assistance, SNAP, Low Income Household Water Assistance Program, and childcare assistance. An application for Temporary Assistance is an automatic application for Medical Assistance and SNAP benefits. May be able to assist with rent and mortgage payments, depending on the circumstances. Provides once-only or alternative assistance to applicants, who are low-income and without sufficient resources, in the form of diversion services. May include transportation and work related expense assistance. 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. See separate record for HEAP program.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.