Emergency Services Application Intake is located at the Erie County Work Center - 1st floor Rath, 158 Pearl Street.
*Effective 9/1/26, the Emergency Services unit is moving back to 460 Main St., 2nd floor, downtown Buffalo.
The Department of Social Services offers temporary help for needy men, women and children. If you are unable to work, can't find a job or your job does not pay enough to meet your basic living expenses you may be eligible to receive help. Erie County has a Work First policy that focuses on the temporary nature of cash assistance and an individual's responsibility to achieve self-sufficiency.
Review the information included in the links above to learn more about the different types of assistance available.