Tompkins County Department of Social Services Review

For every nice person doing their job and trying to help the impoverished and underprivileged in our county, there are 3 overwhelmed and bitter people who need to find a job they're actually good at

Less actively abusive and aggressive than Syracuse, equally inept. Completely inaccesible to those who are self employed and struggling. Everyone acts clueless. If possible, do not bother with them.

If you complain you've never lived in a bigger City. I find them very helpful and personable

Dss is okay some times the do not no what to do 4 you

So far, I feel like after the fire, that Rescue Mission and Karen Knapp of DSS SS have such a huge heart and are making the law serve the human need not the other way around. I feel like they are remembering why they started a job like this in the first place. It's like watching angels wake up.

Seeing the previous reviews, I will try to add what I believe is a more objective response, having covered county services for local newspapers. Clients often forget that personnel are used to dealing with difficult, often hostile people with substance-related issues. Also, they are taken aback by how frugal their benefits may be. Were they to move to any county in any direction they would see any less of NY's famously generous benefits. The major downer is that it shares a building with the probation dept., in part because DSS recipients are mandated to be fingerprinted. So one can't be surprised if clients feel like criminals asking for help. However, one should fault the county and the state, not the staff. Anyone lucky enough to be on Medicaid when they needed, say, an appendectomy, knows that of which I speak.

Heather did an excellent job today. I've never had a better dss visit.