COVID-19 Department Service Updates:

The Department of Social Services/Office for the Aging/NY Connects is open and operational Monday – Friday from 8:30 am – 4:30 pm. Please call our main number at 746-2300. We will be handling business over the phone when possible and if necessary, to come into the municipal center by appointment only. We thank you for your cooperation to help reduce any potential spread of the COVID-19 virus.

Help flatten the curve - all communication for benefit programs can be fulfilled over the phone and documentation can either be accepted via email at [email protected] (service of legal process is not accepted via email) or inserted in the drop box in front of the entrance to Building B at the Washington County Municipal Center – at this time there are no face to face interview requirements in place for any benefit related program.

Interested individuals can also check eligibility, apply for assistance and check balance information on open cases online through http://mybenefits.ny.gov/

Application through this site will be processed in the Fort Edward Office while everyone maintains social distancing.

Due to the emergency operation plan, only those with the most urgent needs/new applicants for Temporary Assistance, HEAP and SNAP are being assisted via phone or in person callers can dial 746-2300. All other messages and mail are being held for response upon the reopening of the County Municipal Center.

New referrals for Home Delivered Meals and information regarding available resources are being accepted through NY Connects at 746-2578 or 746-2420 & through the Office for the Aging e-mail address at: [email protected]

If you need medical assistance, apply through the exchange at https://nystateofhealth.ny.gov/

Safety needs in cases of Child Protective Services and Adult Protective Services are being assessed both over the phone and with face to face visits in the field.

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DSS is asking everyone to save time and frustration by prescreening:

You may contact the DSS office however, please be advised that we are running with minimal staffing and meeting emergencies only, with all other issues being addressed once the Agency is returned to full staff.

Screen yourself before calling DSS by considering these questions:

Are you currently active on TA,  SNAP, MA or HEAP?  

If no, are you out of work?  

We encourage you to apply for SNAP or HEAP benefits online at: Mybenefits.ny.gov 

If yes, do you receive benefits and did you get your benefits?

If no, Call (518)746-2300 - clearly state your need, your name, and your contact number.

If yes, has something changed that you now have an emergency situation?  

If no, you do not need to call.

If yes, Call (518)746-2300 - clearly state your need, your name, and your contact number.

If you don’t have access to the internet, you may call (518)746-2300, clearly state your need and address. A Temporary Assistance, SNAP or HEAP Application will be mailed to you. 

If you need medical assistance you can contact NYS Department of Health to apply through the exchange. 

If you are trying to submit documents to your worker you can do so by emailing them to:     [email protected]

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Based on the federal legislation signed into law on Wednesday, March 18, 2020, no person who currently has Medicaid coverage will lose their coverage during this time of the COVID-19 pandemic. If you get a notice telling you that your Medicaid is discontinued after March 18, 2020, your coverage will be reinstated so there is no gap in coverage.  If you have any questions please contact Kelly Brown at 518-746-2426. _______________________________________________________________________

Members of the public requiring services from any County department should call ahead and make the necessary arrangements and receive further direction on how to move forward with the necessary business.

Day Care:  Please be advised that we have applied for and been granted a waiver from OCFS for our Day Care Plan, this involves changes that could impact eligibility for our clients. Please encourage anyone that has any questions or concerns with Day Care right now to reach out to our Day Care Unit by calling our main number (518) 746-2300.