IMPORTANT NOTICE:

• The main entrance and parking for the Department of Social Services is located at the rear of the building on Massey Street. Visitors must use the main entrance.  All other entrances/exits are locked to the public.
• New Applicants may call (315) 785-3229 for more information.
• Current Recipients may call (315) 779-5923 for questions related to an active case.

To apply for Temporary Assistance, SNAP or HEAP you may do so online at https://www.mybenefits.ny.gov or visit https://otda.ny.gov/programs/applications to print an application. 

Applications and supporting documentation may be submitted by:

• Fax:  at (315) 785-3346
• Mail: Jefferson County Department of Social Services, 250 Arsenal St., Watertown, NY 13601
• Drop box:  located in the parking lot (include your name and your worker’s name)

Supporting documentation (NO Applications) may be submitted by:

• Mobile Document Upload:  NYDocSubmit

Paperwork (NO Applications) may be submitted by email to:

• TA Intake & SNAP (New applicants): Jeff_Intake_Applications@dfa.state.ny.us
• TA Undercare & SNAP (Open cases): Jeff_Undercare_OpenCases@dfa.state.ny.us
• HEAP: Jeff_HEAP@dfa.state.ny.us
• Day Care: Jeff_ChildCare_DatCare@dfa.state.ny.us

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Child Care Assistance Program

New Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) Eligibility Questionnaire available to parents and caretakers.  The Eligibility Questionnaire allows parents and caretakers to answer a few questions to see if they are eligible for CCAP.  You can access the questionnaire here at https://hs.ocfs.ny.gov/CCAPeligibility/.

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TRANPORTATION INITIATIVE PROGRAM

(PREVIOUSLY KNOWN AS “WHEELS TO WORK”)

Jefferson County has received new grant funding for this initiative and will again work in collaboration with Watertown Urban Mission (WUM) to administer this program.

Program objectives are:

• To assist eligible households who have independently secured a vehicle for employment but whose vehicle requires repair, maintenance, or start-up costs (insurance and registration).

Households receiving or eligible to receive TANF in Jefferson County will be considered for this program if they are currently employed or have a bona-fide job offer and transportation is necessary to obtain the employment. Non-TA families currently employed and with income under 200% of FPL will also be considered for the program if they are in danger of losing employment due to lack of a vehicle.

Please call DSS at 315-785-3229 or WUM at 315-782-0090 for more information.

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Low Income Household Water Assistance Program

For information click here.

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• Regular HEAP closed March 31st, 2023
• Emergency HEAP closed May 19th, 2023
• HEAP Cooling Program closed July 14th, 2023
  Please call (315) 785-3229 to apply

(Please visit our Home Energy Assistance Program page listed under the
Assistance Programs tab for more information. For a HEAP application click here.)

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Direct Cash Available for Eligible Youth
Currently or Formerly in Foster Care

Chafee Funds Program – Beyond opens July 1, 2023! 

Eligibility Requirements:

• 21 through 22 years old AND were discharged from foster care at age 18 or older; OR
• 21 through 22 years old AND currently in foster care; OR
• 18 through 20 years old AND were discharged from foster care at age 18 or older and are no longer in care

 Beginning July 1, 2023, awards will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis until September 1, 2024, or until funds run out.

To apply click the link: Chafeeny.Smapply.org

If you have any questions, contact: Admin@chafeeNY.org

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NYDocSubmit

Jefferson County Department of Social Services (DSS) is pleased to inform county residents that a free mobile device application called NYDocSubmit is available for individuals to use to submit necessary documents at any time.  This mobile application provides individuals who have applied for or are receiving DSS benefits to submit documentation to the DSS in a simple and fast way.  The mobile application 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 Jefferson County DSS.  During this time of restrictions, having the ability to submit necessary documentation from the comfort of home is essential to continue supporting families in Jefferson County. 

Many individuals have had their employment and income impacted by COVID-19. Anyone in receipt of SNAP whose employment has been affected, either they are currently unemployed or are experiencing a decrease in hours worked, should report these to changes to Jefferson County Department of Social Services as soon as possible as it may affect their SNAP benefit amount. A convenient way to report this is to complete and submit an online SNAP change report form found at https://www.mybenefits.ny.gov. If you are now in receipt of unemployment, you can submit proof of this and other documentation using the free mobile application NYDocSubmit.

Commissioner
Karen Marcum
 
Contact Us:
Phone: (315) 785-3000
 
Mailing address:  
Jefferson County DSS
250 Arsenal St.
Watertown, NY 13601
 
Office Hours:
September – June
8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Monday – Friday
 
July and August
8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Monday - Friday