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DSS outlines SNAP work‑requirement outreach, shelter transition and statutory advisory‑council steps
Summary
Tompkins County Department of Social Services told the Health & Human Services Committee it is awaiting a state report to confirm how many of roughly 309 at‑risk SNAP/ABAWD cases in June lost benefits, reported VOA has become the county THA shelter provider, and reviewed state rules requiring a social services advisory council with further discussion planned in July and a possible resolution in August.
The Tompkins County Department of Social Services (DSS) updated the Health & Human Services Committee on June 17 about local SNAP/ABAWD outreach, a recent shelter‑provider transition and the statutory social services advisory council process.
"When our SNAP working group met most recently last month, it was determined at that point that we had roughly 309 households, individuals…so 300 of those were individuals, nine were households," said Britney of DSS, describing preliminary local counts of residents at risk of losing benefits in June. She cautioned that state data lags by a month and the county is expecting a state report this week that will show how many of those cases actually met work requirements or lost benefits.
The update also described operational changes at the shelter system. "VOA came on as our THA shelter provider 4 weeks ago…our family case manager to date has gotten 32 out of the 51 families into permanent housing since March of 2025," Britney said, and added that 27 adults have also been moved into permanent housing. DSS staff and VOA are coordinating case management and outreach, and staff will return with six‑month stability numbers the committee requested.
Committee members pressed DSS on both measurement and capacity. Rachel asked whether placements were sustained "six months out or a year out," and Britney said about half of the 32 families (16) have remained voluntarily in contact with case management; she offered to obtain more complete six‑month retention figures for adults.
DSS also briefed members on a statutory requirement to establish a local social services advisory council. Britney summarized New York State guidance saying an advisory council must include a minimum of 20 members with at least 25% recipients of public assistance and a mix of providers, advocates and community representatives. Committee discussion centered on whether to structure an advisory body that reports to the commissioner or one that reports to the legislature; members asked DSS to clarify reporting obligations with the state and agreed to continue the discussion in July with the aim of returning a resolution in August.
Officials described steps to reduce barriers to meeting work requirements. The Tompkins Opportunity Platform — a searchable site with volunteer and job opportunities filterable by hours, location and bus route — was highlighted as a tool to help residents find places to complete required volunteer or work hours. "Staff have not heard that clients have trouble finding opportunities at this point," Britney said, but the department and partners are encouraging organizations to post opportunities to the platform to expand options.
What happens next: DSS will review the incoming state report and return to the committee with the clarified counts and any targeted outreach plans; the committee scheduled further conversations in July about the advisory council and a potential resolution in August.
