Some social service agencies in Nassau say they have stopped taking new clients and may be forced to shut their doors because the county is late paying them.
Daniela Pereira, a licensed mental health counselor in Franklin Square, says she hasn't been paid in a month. She says she's been struggling to pay her credit cards, student loan, cellphone payments and car payments.
Sal LaFemina, Community Counseling Services executive director, say he's also a month behind on rent, health insurance and utility bills - and they are about to run out of paper.
"I'm incredibly annoyed about it," he says. "I really think the county needs to find another way of doing business."
County officials admit county contracts are now facing more scrutiny after the corruption scandal involving former state Sen. Dean Skelos and his son, Adam.
A spokesman for the county told News 12 that "the delays are troubling as we work through a new procurement process. Vendors should receive payment in the next two weeks."
Some agency directors say that time frame may be a little unrealistic, considering a new batch of required contract paperwork they just received.
"If we don't get payment in the next two weeks, there are certain programs that I'm going to need to close. Not because we want to, but because we don't have the cash to sustain them," says Dr. Jeffrey Reynolds, of the Family and Children's Association.
The Family and Children's Association says it's currently owed more than $1.7 million by Nassau County.