Contact: Timothy Seymour
Address:
301 North Washington Street
Suite 2110
Herkimer, NY 13350
Phone: 315-867-1291
Fax: 315-867-1238
Monday - Friday 8:00am to 4:30pm,
DSS Lobby opens at 8:30am
From Memorial Day to Labor Day (summer hours)
Monday - Friday 8:30am to 4pm
Frequently Called Numbers
| Adoption Services | 315-867-1216 |
| Adult Protection Services | 315-867-1231 |
| Alternatives in Long Term Care | 315-867-1322 |
| Child Abuse Hotline | 1-800-342-3720 |
| Child & Adult Service | 315-867-1240 |
| Child Support Helpline | 1-888-208-4485 |
| Day Care | 315-867-1233 |
| Employment | 315-867-1529 |
| Foster Care | 315-867-1216 |
| HEAP/DSS | 315-867-1220 |
| Information/Main Number | 315-867-1291 |
| Medical Assistance/Medicaid | 315-867-1641 |
| Public Assistance | 315-867-1641 |
| Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program(SNAP) | 315-867-1239 |
| Temporary Assistance | 315-867-1239 |
As of August 4, 2020, Herkimer County now has a new, free mobile application (app) available to county residents that enables them to submit necessary documents. NYDocSubmit is a mobile app that provides individuals who have applied for, or are receiving Department of Social Services (DSS) benefits, the ability to simply and quickly submit documentation to the DSS. This mobile app is available for download on Google Play™ or the Apple App Store™ and can be used to take photos of documents and upload them to Herkimer County DSS. During this time of COVID-19 restrictions, having the ability to submit the necessary documentation from the comfort and safety of home is essential to continue supporting families in our county.
COVID-19 has impacted the employment and income of many county residents. Anyone in receipt of SNAP whose employment has been affected, either because they are currently unemployed or are experiencing a decrease in hours worked, should report these to changes to Herkimer County DSS as soon as possible as it may affect their SNAP benefit amount. A convenient way to report this information is to complete and submit an online SNAP change report form (https://www.mybenefits.ny.gov/). If you are now in receipt of unemployment, you can submit proof of this and other documentation using NYDocSubmit.
Over 5,000 applicants/recipients have successfully submitted more than 17,000 documents since the NYDocSubmit mobile app was released.
Herkimer County’s weekly local share for Medicaid for the week ending November 29, 2023, is $244,980. Herkimer County’s 2023 year to date local share total for Medicaid is $11,063,436. The mission of the Herkimer County Department of Social Services is to ensure the provision of temporary financial assistance and services necessary to sustain dependent and disabled persons and to assist recipients in achieving the greatest degree of independence possible.
Child Preventive Services and the SIP Program provide supportive assessment and referral services to Prevent the placement of a child into foster care ,Return a child currently in foster care to his/her parents sooner than would otherwise be possible and to Prevent the re-placement of a child into foster care
Each county in New York State has a Child Protective Services (CPS) Unit, which investigates reports of suspected child abuse and neglect received from the New York State Child Abuse and Maltreatment Register (Hotline) located in Albany.
The Child Support program provides custodial parents with assistance in obtaining financial support and medical insurance coverage for their children by locating parents, establishing paternity, establishing support orders and collecting and distributing support payments.
Foster Care is provided to children under the age of 18 who are in need of an alternate living arrangement.
In an effort to help income eligible individuals cope with higher fuel bills of winter, NYS participates in the Federal funded "Home Energy Assistance Program", commonly known as HEAP.
The Commissioner of Social Services is responsible for the burial of any Herkimer County resident that meets the criteria outlined in the Indigent Burial Policy adopted by the Herkimer County Legislature on September 11, 2019.
Herkimer County currently has a mandated Medicaid Managed Care program through three Medicaid Managed Care health plans.
Medical Assistance is help for people who cannot pay for all of their medical care.
The Family Support PINS Diversion Program began in February 2003 and is the point of entry for PINS Diversion services in Herkimer County. Services provided include a formal assessment, in home counseling, case management, family support, respite and mentoring for at-risk youth.
SNAP, a program of the US Department of Agriculture, is provided to insure that the nutritional needs of income eligible persons are met.
Temporary Assistance is temporary help for needy adults and children. If an applicant is unable to work, can't find a job or his/her job does not pay enough, Temporary Assistance may be able to pay for some household expenses.
The Alternatives in Long Term Care Program provides a central access point to long term home care services for all Herkimer County residents with chronic long-term home care needs.
Day care assistance is an income eligible program available to assist working parents. The Day Care Unit keeps a current listing of registered day care homes in Herkimer County, which is available to the general public.
Services range from assessing a child to securing an adoptive home, to assisting parent(s) under appropriate circumstances to surrender a child, to the recruitment and evaluation of prospective adoptive parents.
Adult Protective Services is a service provided to individuals who are 18 years of age or older, Unable to protect his/her own interests due to lack of awareness or incompetence, Incapacitated due to a physical or mental impairment , In danger of being harmed or threatened with harm , Have an unmet need such as failure to receive adequate food, shelter, or clothing, Have no one willing or able to assist responsibility
The goal of the Employment Unit is to help applicants and recipients of Temporary Assistance and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits to achieve self-sufficiency.
