19/03/2022
Pandemic Emergency Assistance Fund Available to Help Victims of Domestic Violence with Children
Niagara County Sheriff’s Office, Victim Services is distributing $188,000 to eligible survivors of domestic violence who are pregnant or have children between March 1, 2022 and May 31, 2022. These federal dollars are available as part of the COVID recovery funding and can cover certain non-recurrent, short term expenses related to housing and essential needs, such as rent and utilities, for eligible survivors of domestic violence with children. To be eligible, survivors or someone in their household must currently receive TANF, SNAP or Medicaid, and their household must be under 200% of the federal poverty limit.
The federally funded American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 established the $1 billion Pandemic Emergency Assistance Fund to assist eligible families that have been affected by the pandemic and are in a specific crisis. Over $21 million was allocated in the fiscal year 2022 State Budget. The funds have been distributed to eligible domestic violence service providers and is administered by the New York State Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence (OPDV), in partnership with the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA).
“Niagara County Sheriff’s Office Victim Services strives to ensure domestic violence survivors have the resources they need. This funding will help many families.” - Stacy Suess, Niagara County Victim Services Coordinator
OPDV Executive Director Kelli Owens said, “The needs and voices of survivors are at the forefront of our work to transform domestic and sexual violence service delivery systems to be more survivor-centered, trauma-informed and culturally responsive. Survivors know their needs best, and this funding will allow service providers to work directly with survivors, especially the most vulnerable, to meet their needs immediately and with flexibility.”
Visit opdv.ny.gov to learn more, and contact
Niagara County Sheriff’s Office Victim Services
Lockport (716) 438-3301 or (716) 438-3306 Niagara Falls (716) 286-4570 ext.2 or 3
