Temporary Assistance

Please note, as of 7/1/22 the following changes are taking place:

Applicants for Temporary Assistance and/or Emergency Assistance must complete a face to face interview. When submitting an application for Temporary Assistance and/or Emergency Assistance, a scheduled intake interview appointment date/time/location will be mailed to you. You must attend the scheduled face to face interview appointment in person as a condition of eligibility. Failure to attend the face to face interview appointment will result in the application being denied.

Applicants for SNAP have the option to choose a face to face or phone interview. When submitting an application for SNAP, a scheduled intake interview appointment date/time/location will be mailed to you. If you choose to have a phone interview, please be sure to include a working phone number on your application, so that this can be accomplished. A staff member will call you a few minutes after your scheduled intake interview appointment time. If you fail to complete the interview by phone or in person, you will receive a SNAP missed interview letter advising how to proceed. You have 30 days from the submission date of your SNAP application to complete an eligibility interview. If you fail to complete an eligibility interview within that time frame, you will have to reapply.

Recipients of Temporary Assistance must complete a face to face recertification interview. When your household is due for recertification, a scheduled recertification interview appointment date/time/location will be mailed to you. The option for a phone interview may be approved for extenuating circumstances. If a phone interview is needed, contact the district at (607)-737-5302 to make this request.

Recipients of SNAP have the option to choose a face to face or phone interview. When your household is due for recertification, a scheduled recertification interview appointment date/time/location will be mailed to you. If you choose to have a phone interview, please be sure to include a working phone number on your recertification, so that this can be accomplished. A staff member will call you a few minutes after your scheduled recertification interview appointment time.

Please note the following suggestions:
It is recommended to submit a completed application, recertification, and any supporting documentation the following ways:

Jacqueline Canute , Director of Temporary Assistance
Chemung County Department of Social Services

About the Department

The Chemung County Department of Social Services, Division of Temporary Assistance is dedicated to helping the citizens of Chemung County. Please let us know your questions or concerns and we will gladly respond in a timely manner.

The Division of Temporary Assistance consists of Cash Assistance, Medical Assistance, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) and Child Care.

Individuals can submit applications for Cash Assistance and SNAP during the hours of 8:30am to 4:30pm Monday through Friday. Some intake interviews can be completed same day, others will be scheduled with appointments to be completed face to face, or by phone.

Applicants for HEAP, who did not receive a HEAP benefit during the last Heap season, must complete a phone interview. A member of the Heap Unit will call to complete the interview.

Outreach sites where you may be able to apply for services are also available, call for information.