The Board was officially designated as a delivery agent for Ontario Works in 1999 following the enactment of the District Social Services Administration Board (DSSAB) Act in 1998, and evolved from a District Welfare Administration Board.  The Nipissing DSSAB (DNSSAB) is among 10 Boards created in Northern Ontario to deliver social programs in an integrated manner with their jurisdictions.

The jurisdiction of the DNSSAB covers 17,000 square kilometers and includes 11 municipalities, two First Nations, and two unorganized areas – Nipissing North and Nipissing South.  The Board is made up of 12 Municipal councillors and elected members from the townships without municipal organization, who exercise powers, duties and responsibilities relating to Social Services, while respecting the DSSAB Act and the DNSSAB's Procedural By-Laws.  Shared responsibilities with the Province, Municipalities and staff are combined within the DNSSAB.