Jefferson County Department Of Social Services

Social Services Department
Laura Cerow, Commissioner
250 Arsenal Street
Watertown, New York 13601

Phone:	(315)782-9030
Office Hours:	9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday - Friday
	8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. July August

Objectives

To provide for the general welfare of needy residents of Jefferson County
To assist individuals and families in achieving self-sufficiency.
To ensure the protection of individuals unable to protect themselves from abuse, neglect or exploitation.
To enhance and support the development of Family Life.

Types Of Services, Assistance

Temporary Assistance: Payments for shelter, fuel and basic needs. Recipients' income and resources must fall within specified limits, and if employable, recipients must participate in employment programs.
Emergency Assistance may be available to other households facing life-threatening situations due to sudden and unexpected circumstances.
Medical Assistance: Provides access to recipients to participating providers for a wide range of medical services. The income and resources of applicants are compared to varying standards, dependent upon household circumstances, age of applicants and medical condition.

Food Stamps: Assistance to households for purchase of food. Eligibility is subject to income and resource tests.
myBenefits.ny.gov: Allows any New Yorker to go online and find out if he or she may qualify for work support benefits and other programs designed to help low-income working families and individuals make ends meet. New Yorkers can do a simple, 10-minute prescreening from any computer with Internet access at any time, to determine whether they are likely to qualify for Food Stamps, the Earned Income Tax Credit, child dependent care credits, and school lunch programs.
Home Energy Assistance Program: Provides for a one-time only payment during the heating season to fuel dealers on behalf of eligible households. Eligibility is based on an income test. An additional benefit may be available to households facing an energy-related emergency and without any resources to meet the need.
Child Support Enforcement and Collection: Provides assistance to custodial parents in establishment of paternity, location of absent parents, establishment and enforcement of Support Orders, collection and disbursement of support payments.
Whispering Pines Adult Home: Provides custodial care for 50 adults. Inquiries can be addressed directly to

1240 Coffeen Street
Watertown, New York 13601
Phone: (315)785-3084
x
Adult Services: Provides assistance to adults to maintain themselves safely at home, or when necessary, arrange for suitable out-of-home placement. Services provided include homemaker, personal care, housing assistance, transportation and financial management.

.............................................

Adoption Album Homepage

Family and Children Services: Through direct provision, purchase or referral, offers a range of services to enhance the preservation of family life. Services available include Child Protective, Preventive, Foster Care, Adoption, Day Care, Homemaker, Parent Aide and transportation.

Application\Referral:
Applications for all programs are accepted daily. New applicants for Temporary Assistance are asked to inquire in person; for other programs, initial contact can be made by phone. In most cases, certification interviews are required.

Referrals for Social Services can be made by agencies, law enforcement, schools, courts, family members, concerned parties, or by individuals themselves.