May 12, 2008

Westchester County Department of Social Services is moving its district office in Yonkers to a new location starting Monday, May 19.

 The office, which is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., is moving into a new 100,000 square-foot building at 131 Warburton Ave., about two blocks from its current location. 

“Our new offices are in a brand-new building that will be comfortable for our clients and just as convenient since they are close to buses and trains,’’ said Department of Social Services Commissioner Kevin Mahon.  

The current offices at 137 Alexander St. are in the center of an area which is ultimately slated to be part of Yonkers’ new waterfront development. The county chose not to renew the lease on the Alexander Street office rather than have to move later once the development was underway.

Mahon said that he expected a smooth transition to the new offices. Customers have been notified by mail and the county will be publicizing the move through public service announcements. Case workers will maintain the same phone numbers during the transition to minimize confusion.

For information about Temporary Assistance /Medicaid or Food Stamp Programs call the Customer Service information line at (914) 231-2653 or for questions about Child Protective Services / Preventive Services or Foster Care call (914) 231-2134.

The Department of Social Services Medicaid Office in New Rochelle will also move into the 131 Warburton Ave. building. That move will take place on June 2. The Medicaid office is not a walk-in office and gets little business from the general public.

 For more information on the move and other social services issues, visit www.westchestergov.com.