From a hot meal to a stable home, from benefits enrollment to a trusted conversation — we meet neighbors where they are and walk the next steps with them.
Somerset County Social Services has anchored the corner of Main and Grove in Somerville for more than fifty years. We are caseworkers, counselors, intake specialists, and volunteers — neighbors helping neighbors navigate the moments that feel impossible to face alone.
We are not a national call center. When you walk through our doors on Main Street, you sit across from a person who lives in the same county, shops at the same grocery stores, and knows which landlord will work with you and which pediatrician takes your insurance. That local knowledge is the difference between a referral and a real plan.
Every case begins with a conversation, not a clipboard. We listen before we route.
Housing and family crises get a caseworker on the same business day, every time.
Half a century of relationships with county courts, schools, clinics, and shelters.
Most services are offered on a sliding scale based on household income. Many are fully covered for qualifying Somerset County residents. Indicative fees below; call the office for an exact quote.
One-on-one casework for families navigating hardship — food insecurity, utility shut-offs, school enrollment, custody paperwork, and unexpected medical bills. Includes a dedicated caseworker, needs assessment, and a 90-day written action plan.
Help for older adults living independently in Somerset County — Medicare navigation, in-home safety assessments, transportation to medical appointments, and weekly wellness check-ins. Coordinated with family caregivers and primary care physicians.
Licensed clinical counseling for individuals, couples, and adolescents — anxiety, depression, grief, substance use recovery support, and family conflict. Sessions available in English, Spanish, and Portuguese. Telehealth offered county-wide.
Rent, security deposit, and utility assistance for households facing eviction or shut-off. Includes landlord mediation, court accompaniment, and connection to the Somerset County Continuum of Care for longer-term housing pathways.
After-school mentoring, summer enrichment, teen leadership cohorts, and parent support circles. Programs run in partnership with Somerville Public Schools and the Somerset County YMCA. Enrollment is rolling and capped at 18 students per cohort.
SNAP, NJ FamilyCare, WIC, LIHEAP, SSI, and unemployment applications — completed with you, not handed to you. We help gather documents, submit forms, follow up with state agencies, and appeal denials when needed.
Every figure below is a person who walked through our doors on Main Street, sat down with a caseworker, and left with a plan. We measure what matters — and we publish it every year.
“They didn’t hand me a pamphlet. They handed me a name, a phone number, and a follow-up appointment. That’s the difference here.”Maria D. — Somerville resident, housing stability client, 2024
Walk in any weekday between 8:30 am and 4:30 pm, or send a note using the form. A caseworker will respond within two business days — sooner for housing or family emergencies. There is no wrong door here.