It is the mission of the Saratoga County Department of Social Services to provide and facilitate the delivery of an appropriate mix of supportive services to meet the unmet financial and social needs of those who are unable to do so on their own.
In accordance with CDC and Department of Health recommendations, we continue to adhere to social distancing and public health protocols to limit the spread of the COVID-19 virus.
All essential DSS services are still available for your assistance. Please call DSS prior to coming to the Social Services Building. Saratoga County Department of Social Services is serving individuals in need primarily by telephone. In-person appointments will be provided for services that require in-person contact. If you are advised by a DSS employee to come to the building, we ask that you come alone and not bring others with you.
You will be screened outside the building by a staff member. The screening will include health screening questions, in order to conduct business with staff at our office building.
Objective: To place children who are freed for adoption in approved adoptive homes and finalize adoptions through the Family Court system.
Services: Arrange for judicial surrender for parents who want to surrender their parental rights and place children in permanent homes.
Legally free children in foster care for adoption who are unable to return home and who don’t have an alternative resource.
Provide a certification program to Saratoga County individuals or families over the age of 21 interested in adopting a child or children.
Hours: Monday – Friday 8:00 am – 4:00 pm.
Target Population: Families in community children 0-21 years of age
Eligibility Criteria: No financial.
Objective: To service all eligible county residents who seek our assistance.
Services: Adult Protective Services, Information and Referral Preventive Services for Adults, Housing Assistance, Medical Transportation, Home Care, SSI assistance, Family Type Homes for Adults, Homemaker services.
Hours: Monday – Friday 8:00 am – 4:00 pm; after hours emergencies through Saratoga County Sheriff at 885-6761.
Eligibility Criteria: Adult Protective without regard to income. All other services Medicaid, Public Assistance, SSI eligibility.
How to Apply for Services: Call Adult Services/Preventive or Adult Protective Services.
Contact: Adult Protective Services – 884-4159
Objective: To assist and protect at-risk adults in Saratoga County.
Services: Adult Protective Services.
Hours: Monday – Friday 8:00 am – 4:00 pm; after hours emergencies through Saratoga County Sheriff.
Target Population: 18 years of age or older.
Eligibility Criteria: 18 years and older, physical or mental impairment that places the individual at risk of harm, and has no one willing or able to assist.
How to Apply for Services: Call 884-4159 to make a referral.
Contact: Child Support – 1-888-208-4485
Objectives: To ensure that every child receives the monetary support and medical support that he/she is entitled to from an absent parent.
Services Provided: To assist a custodial parent in location of an absent parent; prepare necessary paperwork to establish paternity and support orders through court. To coordinate with central collection agency and to prepare paperwork for enforcement of court ordered support.
Hours: Monday – Friday 8:00 am – 4:00 pm.
Target Population: Custodial parent in need of assistance in establishing paternity and/or obtaining child support from an individual who is (or may be) legally responsible for the support of dependent children.
How to Apply for Services: Phone 1-888-208-4485 and apply in office.
Contact: Children’s Services Protective/Preventive – 884-4151
Protective Objective: Investigation of hotline reports. Assessment of the safety/risk to children, and to reduce the occurrence of a abuse and maltreatment.
Services: Referrals to provider agencies such as Mental Health counseling, parent training, alcoholism/drug treatment, etc.
Hours: 24 hours/7 days a week
Target Population: Children younger than 18 and their families.
Eligibility Criteria: Families named on a hotline report.
To Make a Hotline Report: Call the Child Abuse and Maltreatment Hotline Number 1-800-342-3720
Preventive Objective: Preventive services are those supportive and rehabilitative services provided to children and their families for the purpose of: averting a disruption of a family which will or could result in the placement of a child in foster care; enabling a child who has been placed in foster care to return to his or her family at an earlier time than would otherwise be possible; or reducing the likelihood that a child who has been discharged from foster care will return to foster care.
Services: Case management; case planning; casework contacts; day care services; homemaker services; clinical services; parent training; and transportation services.
Hours: Monday – Friday 8:00 am – 4:00 pm
Target Population: Children: Birth to 18 years of age.
Eligibility Criteria: Applicants must meet standards (both general and specific) to be eligible for mandated preventive services.
For More Information About Preventive Services: Call the Children’s Services Unit of Saratoga County DSS at 884-4151 or 884-4152.
The New York State Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) will provide significant economic relief to help low and moderate-income households at risk of experiencing homelessness or housing instability by providing rental arrears, temporary rental assistance and utility arrears assistance.
Contact: Day Care – 714-4004
Objective: To assist low-income families who need child care to become/remain employed.
Services: Child care information and referral, Dept. of Social Services subsidized child care (as funds remain available for eligible families).
Hours: Monday – Friday 8:00 am – 4:00 pm.
Target Population: Employed, low-income parent(s)
Eligibility Criteria:
Child Care Block Grant – Child Care for low-income working families at/below 300% poverty level
TA Transitional – Child Care for former TA recipients who are employed at/below 300% poverty level
Expansion of Child Care Assistance – Child Care for low-income working families at/below 300% poverty level
Workforce Development Institute (WDI) – Saratoga County partners with WDI to provide Child Care to working families at/below 375% poverty level
How to Apply for Services: Please call 518-714-4004 for further information.
Contact: Adult and Family Services 884-4159
Objective: Provide emergency services for victims of domestic violence and their children.
Services: Coordination of services, information and referral. Payment of residential and support service.
Hours: Monday – Friday 8:00 am – 4:00 pm.
Target Population: Battered individuals over 16 years of age who reside in Saratoga County.
Eligibility Criteria: Without regard to income.
How to Apply for Services: Call Domestic Violence Hotline 584-8188 or Saratoga County Department of Social Services Domestic Violence Unit 884-4159.
Objectives: To assist applicants and recipients of Family Assistance and Safety Net to become self-sufficient, reducing the need for temporary assistance.
Services Provided: Child Care, transportation as well as other supportive services. The eligibility for these services is assessed by the Social Welfare Examiner on a case-by-case basis.
Hours: Monday – Friday 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Eligibility Criteria: All FA and Safety Net applicants or recipients must be assessed as to employability potential. The clients who are mandatory employable will have an employability plan completed by the Social Welfare Examiners.
The Saratoga County Department of Social Services Biennial Temporary Assistance and SNAP plan is available for a 30-day public comment and review period. The plan offers supportive services to help people on Temporary Assistance and SNAP rejoin the labor market. For information, contact the Social Services office at 152 West High Street, Ballston Spa or call 518-884-4141
Contact: Foster Care 884-4157
Objective: Provide temporary safe shelter (foster home, group home, or residence) for Saratoga County children removed from their home, until they can be safely discharged according to their designated permanency plan (discharge to parent, relative, own responsibility or adoption).
Provide a certification program to Saratoga County individuals or families over the age of 21 who are interested in providing a loving, stable home to a child or children removed from their home.
Services: Referrals for children and their families which address reasons for removal from their home and assist in achieving the permanency goal (discharge to parent, relative, own responsibility or adoption).
Assist in locating alternative resources (relatives or adoptive families) in the event that a child or children cannot be returned home.
Initial, advanced training and support which may include but not limited to consultations, 24hr/7day access to staff, referrals and crisis intervention to foster families.
Hours: 24 hours a day/7 days a week
Target Population: Children 0-21 years of age, individuals or families over the age of 21
Eligibility Criteria: No financial criteria
Contact: Adult Services – 884-4159
Objective: To assist eligible individuals to safely remain at home through the provision of services such as personal care tasks, nursing, Long Term Health Care Program, Consumer Directed Program.
Services: Personal Care services, Long Term Home Health Care Services, Private Duty Nursing services, Care at Home I and II programs, Cosumer Directed Programs.
Hours: Monday – Friday 8:00 am – 4:00 pm.
Target Population: Saratoga County residents of any age.
Eligibility Criteria: Applicant must be a Saratoga County resident who is Medicaid eligible. Physician orders are mandated for each program. The individual must be seen within 30 days prior to the signing of the orders.
How to Apply for Services: Telephone 884-4159.
Objectives: To provide energy assistance to families with low incomes by issuing regular and emergency grants to dealers for fuel for heating and utility related costs.
Hours: Monday – Friday 8:00AM – 4:00PM
Target Population: Low income individuals and families.
Eligibility Criteria: Household size, gross income and resources, heat source and type of housing. Guidelines established by NYS and change annually. Program is seasonal and operational when funding is available.
How to Apply for Services: Telephone for requirements or may apply online at myBenefits.ny.gov
Objective: To provide coverage for the medical needs of people of all ages who have insufficient income and/or resources to meet the cost of necessary medical care as determined by state standards.
Services: Health insurance coverage for Saratoga County eligible residents.
Hours: Monday – Friday 8:00 am – 4:00 pm.
Target Population: Saratoga County residents meeting eligibility guidelines.
Eligibility Criteria: Must meet income and resource tests – vary depending on program.
How to Apply for Services: Phone 518-884-4148 to determine where you apply for services, (Saratoga County DSS or NYS Health Marketplace 855-355-5777, or online https://nystateofhealth.ny.gov/
LDSS-5165 (Rev. 3/20)
Objective: Saratoga County is committed to protecting the quality and integrity of the County’s eligibility programs. Eligibility programs, like Medicaid, Temporary Assistance, SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program), Day Care and HEAP are a vital resource for many residents of Saratoga County.
The Department of Social Services pursues any suspected fraud and abuse throughout the various programs. Fraud and abuse are any intentional actions which result in a recipient or provider receiving benefits or payments to which they are not entitled.
TO REPORT SUSPECTED FRAUD and/or ABUSE: Please e-mail or call the Special Investigations Unit at (518) 884-4163
All calls will be kept confidential.
Objective: To reduce the hunger and to provide low-income households with a supplement to their income to purchase food.
Services: Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP); referrals to other agencies; free nutrition education to qualified individuals.
Hours: Monday – Friday 8:00am – 4:00pm
Target Population: Any low-income individual/family living in Saratoga County.
Eligibility Criteria: Must meet income eligibility.
How to Apply for Services: Telephone for requirements or may apply online at myBenefits.ny.gov
Nondiscrimination Statement (Aviso sobre Normas Antidiscriminatorias)
In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, sex, religious creed, disability, age, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA.
Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.), should contact the Agency (State or local) where they applied for benefits. Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at: (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.
To file a program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, (AD-3027) found online at: http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html, and at any USDA office, or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by:
- mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights 1400 Independence Avenue, SW Washington, D.C. 20250-9410;
This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
With respect to public accommodations, New York State additionally prohibits discrimination based on gender identity, transgender status, gender dysphoria, sexual orientation, marital status, and military status.
http://otda.ny.gov/programs/snap/
LDSS-5165 (Rev. 3/20)
Contact: Temporary Assistance/Emergency Assistance – 518-884-4144
Objectives: To provide temporary financial support and emergency assistance to individuals and families who meet income and resource eligibility criteria.
Service Provides: Temporary Assistance benefits include cash, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), medical assistance, HEAP, and daycare.
Hours: Monday-Friday 8:00AM – 4:00PM
Target Population: No income, low income
Eligibility Criteria: Income and resource eligible
How To Apply For Services: Telephone for information and application requirements at 518-884-4144
Non-Parent Caregivers (Grandparents, Other Relatives, Friends) Caring for Children
Non-parent caregivers, who are caring for children without a parent living in their home, may be eligible for Temporary Assistance. Temporary Assistance for children not living with a parent is often referred to as “non-parent caregiver” or “child-only” grants, and includes Medical Assistance (MA). If the non-parent caregiver wants assistance only for the children, the non-parent caregiver’s income is not used to determine eligibility and there are no Temporary Assistance work requirements for the non-parent caregiver. Non-parent caregivers may apply for Temporary Assistance at their local social services office.
In addition to financial assistance, non-parent caregivers (also called kinship caregivers) often have a need for information and assistance related to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP), custody, guardianship, foster care, adoption, schooling, school enrollment, and other forms of assistance such as child care, social security, respite, case management and service programs.
For information about services and assistance programs please visit the following websites:
- http://www.nysnavigator.org – The NYS Kinship Navigator’s website offers legal fact sheets, state and local kinship resources, and other information. In addition, the Navigator operates a toll free phone line at 1-877-454-6463. Kinship Specialists are available from 10:00am to 4:00pm Monday through Friday. A message may be left during non-business hours and calls will be returned when business hours resume.
- http://otda.ny.gov/programs/ – the NYS Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA).
- http://www.mybenefits.ny.gov – MyBenefits is an online tool to help you learn about eligibility for financial assistance and other benefit programs. A simple, 10 minute prescreening from any computer with Internet access at any time, determines whether you are likely to qualify for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), HEAP, the Earned Income Tax Credit, child dependent care credits, school lunch and other programs.
- http://www.ocfs.state.ny.us/kinship/default.asp – The NYS Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) provides contact information and links to the Kinship Caregiver Programs funded through OCFS, as well as a variety of resources for families and staff, including the Kinship Guardianship Assistance Program (KinGAP), a subsidy program available to kinship caregivers who are foster parents.
Your local Social Services District (SSD) and local area Office for the Aging (OFA) are also resources for information on kinship care.
LDSS-5165 (Rev. 3/20)
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Tina Potter, Commissioner – Email
Patrick Maxwell, Deputy Commissioner – Email
Marisa Alber, Director of Income Eligibility – Email
Concetta Hmura, Director of Services – Email
152 West High Street, Ballston Spa, NY 12020
Phone: (518) 884-4140
FAX: (518) 884-4199
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