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Support > Benefits and Entitlements

Assistance With Moving Expenses

Persons who are recipients of either Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) who face emergency situations that endanger their housing may be eligible for emergency financial assistance to help prevent homelessness, pay moving expenses, security deposits and realty fees, and provide a furniture allowance.

Is It For Me?

Only recipients of Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families may apply for these benefits. Please click here to learn more about SSI or here to learn more about TANF and whether you meet the eligibility criteria.

In addition to receiving SSI or TANF, you must meet at least one of the following criteria:

You must move because of a serious medical or physical handicap. Documentation of your medical condition is required.
There is a living situation that negatively affects your mental or physical health, and the need for alternative housing is urgent. Documentation of the adverse condition, as well as medical documentation verifying the impact on your health, is required.
You must move because of a disaster/catastrophe and/or a vacate order placed against the premises by a health agency or code enforcement agency.
You are homeless because you have been required to move by the person with whom you have been living.
You are moving from temporary to permanent housing.
You are moving to temporary housing because permanent housing is not available.
You are moving from an approved relocation site or to an approved cooperative apartment.
You are moving to less expensive housing. (The total amount of the moving reimbursements being requested is less than the rental savings over two years.)

What Is The Benefit?

There are four possible benefits depending on your need and situation. These benefits are:

Realtor Fees for Locating a Place to Live
You must provide documentation to the Westchester County Department of Social Services (DSS) that you have looked at ten or more apartments on your own. The fees are paid directly by DSS to the realty company.
Furniture Allowance
The allowance can be up to $500. It is paid directly to you. You must furnish DSS with receipts for the furniture.
Security Deposit
Westchester County DSS may pay directly to the landlord a one-month security deposit for a rental apartment.
Moving Expenses
This covers the cost of moving from one residence to another. You should fax or bring to Westchester county DSS three moving company estimates. DSS will choose a moving company from the estimates you send them and pay the moving company directly.

You will have to choose between furniture assistance and moving costs assistance; you cannot receive both types of help. (DSS assumes if you need help moving, then you own furniture.)

When Do The Benefits Apply?

Since this is an emergency situation, payments are made in a timely basis as soon as the required documentation is completed. You can only apply for these benefits once every two years.

How Do I Apply For the Benefit?

You can apply for these benefits at your local Westchester County DSS service center whose addresses and phone numbers are listed below.

Mount Vernon Center
100 East First Street
Mount Vernon, NY 10550-3442
914-813-6000
Peekskill Center
750 Washington Street
Peekskill, NY 10566-5499
914-862-5000
White Plains Center
85 Court Street
White Plains, NY 10601-4201
914-995-5840
Yonkers Center
137 Alexander Street
Yonkers, NY 10701-2539
914-231-2000

Normal business hours in the four centers are from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM Monday through Friday, except holidays. Emergency needs after 5:00 PM and on weekends and holidays are handled by an Emergency Services Team located in the White Plains Center.

You should bring with you to DSS the following items:

Social Security card
Pay stubs for past 2-3 months if you are working
Award letter from Social Security indicating you are on SSI
Bank statements for savings and checking accounts

DSS will give you an application form to complete and two other forms for your new landlord to complete. If you are applying for payment of moving expenses, each DSS local service center will supply you with a fax number should you wish to fax the estimates to them.

Is There A Cost To Me?

There is no cost to you for these benefits.

Who Provides The Benefit?

The Westchester County Department of Social Services administers these benefits.

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