Research

Administrative History

The New York State Department of Social Services Division of Legal Affairs acted as the legal advisor to the department and Commissioner of Social Services and was responsible for all legal matters concerning the department and its programs. Major responsibilities included providing legal assistance and support for lawsuits affecting the department; providing legal support for the articulation of department policy through state legislative and regulatory processes; representing the department in federal legislative and regulatory processes; conducting hearings on various services administered by the department in order to review local district determinations; conducting special hearings on issues pertaining to fraud and abuse; and providing legal services required for operation of the department's programs.