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11/14/2022: They are no longer receiving Robin Fund applications through email. The best way to send them is either by mail or dropping them off at the office. Their fax machine hasn't been working properly recently. Established by friends and family of Robin Whittlesey as a contribution to the Ithaca community in her memory.Benefits individual citizens, families and children of the greater Ithaca community who are undergoing hardship or who may have special needs, e.g., emergency mortgage or rent assistance, family crises, special clothing needs, aid in attending summer programs or special events, scholastic needs, etc. Applicants should keep in mind that the Robin Fund has very limited resources.Applications are available from front office staff at GIAC. After submitting an application, the applicant should hear back from the committee within seven days. Applications should include documentation regarding the request, i.e., eviction notice, shut-off notice etc.

Provides short-term help for families and individuals while they work their way toward self-sufficiency.

Provides assistance with basic needs for individuals or families who have emergency need, including those who are homeless or at risk of being homeless. Services provided, as resources permit, include emergency rent payment assistance, local and long distance transit fare, prescription payment assistance, clothing, utility assistance as well as one time assistance for unexpected financial hardship.

Emergency aid may be available for a variety of expenses, including: shelter, moving expenses, home maintenance during illness, eviction, utility shut-off, etc. Must exhaust any other possible resources. Applicants can apply online @ mybenefits.ny.gov or in person.*After-hours (4:00 pm - 8:00 am), holidays, emergency closings and weekends*Caller identifies as homelessIf they have no place to stay tonight, refer to 911Unable to go to shelter, 911 Operator will call DSS on-call workerAn on-call worker may be able to guarantee payment until the next business day.. DSS staff should see Procedure for Code Blue Calls for direction.

Social Services promotes self-sufficiency by providing financial and social services to eligible County residents.Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents (ABAWDs) are SNAP recipients aged 18-64 who are able to work and don't have a dependent child in their household. They can only receive SNAP benefits for a limited time (3 months in a 36-month period) unless they meet certain work requirements or have an exemption. These work requirements generally involve working or participating in a work program for at least 20 hours per week (80 hours per month). There have been a lot of "skimming" problems with EBT cards - it is recommended that people lock their cards if they are not using them and unlock when they go to use them.Below is the link to the EBT Skimming Scam - there is a way to lock EBT cards and this link lets clients know how to do it.EBT Scam Alert | OTDA

* Provides individual living skills, referrals to counseling, treatment programs, and other community services. Also offers on-site outreach services by other community organizations.* Provides food pantry referrals.* Offers eviction/rent/mortgage assistance.* Provides utility gas and electric bill payment assistance.* Provides assistance with filling out DHS, SSI, SSD applications.* Provides updated housing list for apartments.* Provides assistance with transportation, daily bus passes.* Provides information to another community organization to obtain beds and used/refurbished appliances.

Provides assistance with basic needs for individuals or families who have emergency need, including those who are homeless or at risk of being homeless. Services provided, as resources permit, include emergency rent payment assistance, local and long distance transit fare, prescription payment assistance, clothing, utility assistance, and information and referral.

Provides assistance in locating affordable housing to individuals dealing with chronic or life-threatening diseases.

As of 11/23, we are only taking HSSP intakes for the waitlist in case future funding is available. If the client is currently in eviction court, or is in eviction court after 01/15/2022, they may be eligible to complete an intake for HSSP cohort 4.Provides financial support to residents of the City of Ithaca who are at risk of displacement in the form of $300/month in basic income for 18 months. Tenants must be under 30% AMI and a City of Ithaca resident to apply.

* Provides rental assistance under Section 8 Rental Assistance Program for income eligible families, security deposit loans to low-income families in Cayuga County, apartment listings, owner/renter counseling to prevent eviction, working with owners to upgrade their rental properties, and SRO for Women.

CARES provides a housing subsidy for homeless persons who are HIV positive.

Offers temporary help for individuals and families in need while they work towards self sufficiency. Will assist with security deposit or first month's rent, but not both. Responsible for paying for and assisting in the scheduling of burials for residents of Greene County who die without funds or family to arrange and pay for a burial.

Family Assistance (FA) provides money for families with children. Cash benefits are limited to five years in a recipient's lifetime. After five years, a Family Assistance case may continue to receive benefits if an adult is disabled and cannot work or may be required to apply for assistance through the Safety Net category.

Safety Net Assistance (SNA) provides money for basic living expenses for single adults and childless couples (or families who have used up their 5-year limit of FA). Cash benefits are limited to two years in a recipient's lifeltime. After two years, the non-cash Safety Net Assistance voucher system provides benefits.

Emergency Temporary Assistance through Emergency Assistance for Families (EAF) or Emergency Safety Net Assistance (ESNA) provides assistance for crisis situations including evictions, moving expenses, utility shutoffs, help with food expenses, and diversion payments to help individuals avoid the need for ongoing assistance. Individuals do not need to be on public assistance to receive Emergency Temporary Assistance.

Provides emergency financial assistance in the form of one month's back rent and/or security to eligible clients. Budget counseling is also available to interested applicants.

Offering housing services, such as searching for an apartment and rental assistance, in addition to connections to community supports and behavioral health services provided by MHA and other organizations.

Provides emergency financial assistance in the form of one month's back rent and/or security to eligible clients. Budget counseling is also available to interested applicants.

Offers temporary help for individuals and families in need while they work towards self sufficiency. Will assist with security deposit or first month's rent, but not both.

Family Assistance (FA) provides money for families with children. Cash benefits are limited to five years in a recipient's lifetime. After five years, a Family Assistance recipient may continue to receive benefits if an adult is disabled and cannot work or may be required to apply for assistance through the Safety Net category.

Safety Net Assistance (SNA) provides money for basic living expenses for single adults and childless couples (or families who have used up their five-year limit of FA). Cash benefits are limited to two years in a recipient's lifetime. After two years, the non-cash Safety Net Assistance voucher system provides benefits.

Emergency Temporary Assistance through Emergency Assistance for Families (EAF) or Emergency Safety Net Assistance (ESNA) provides assistance for crisis situations including evictions, moving expenses, utility shutoffs, and diversion payments to help individuals avoid the need for ongoing assistance. Individuals do not need to be on public assistance to receive Emergency Temporary Assistance.

Update November 2025- The main UW 211 ALICE program is still out of funding, however we have received a small amount of funds for utility assistance only due to the delay in HEAP opening this year. We are able to provide assistance to ALICE eligible clients for one time NYSEG shut offs or propane/oil tank refills or wood/pellet deliveries. HEAP income guidelines apply for this specific assistance. Clients must still try other programs first before applying for ALICE. This is very limited funding, check back for updatesAssistance up to $500 for qualified households, types of assistance includes:Car RepairsCar Insurance- must have cancelation noticePhone Bills- must have shut off noticeUtility Bills-must have shut off noticeHealth InsuranceChildcare ExpensesBack Rent Assistance- must have eviction noticeClient must be ineligible for other local programs that already provide these services such as DSS, Catholic Charities, Robin Fund, INHS for rent assistance or repairs- will need to prove ineligibility for other programsIncome guidelines listed in eligibility section belowDocuments needed for verification:Documents to prove residency or employment in Tompkins County:- Valid NYS driver license with current address- utility or phone bill or other mail issued in past 30 daysDocumentation of income, examples include:-current paystub in last 30 days- benefit statement for Social Security, SSI or Unemployment- Current bank statement- self attestation formDocumentation of Need, examples:-notice of eviction from court-repair bill/estimate- utility bill/shutoff notice with date of termination- other statement ie insurance, childcare, etc*must include amount needed to avoid shutoff or cancellation* Document upload short url: 211tompkins.org/uploadmobile friendly, screenshots and pictures of the documents can be uploadedClick on the link HERE to begin the intake process MUST BE FILLED OUT BY LOCAL 2-1-1 STAFF:

Assists individuals and families who are homeless or in danger of being homeless to find or maintain stable housing through security deposits, first month's rent, back rent, financial workshops, and case management.

Offers temporary help for individuals and families in need while they work towards self sufficiency. Will assist with security deposit or first month's rent, but not both. Responsible for paying for and assisting in the scheduling of burials for residents of Schoharie County who die without funds or family to arrange and pay for a burial.

Family Assistance (FA) provides money for families with children. Cash benefits are limited to five years in a recipient's lifetime. After five years, a Family Assistance case may continue to receive benefits if an adult is disabled and cannot work or may be required to apply for assistance through the Safety Net category.

Safety Net Assistance (SNA) provides money for basic living expenses for single adults and childless couples (or families who have used up their 5-year limit of FA). Cash benefits are limited to two years in a recipient's lifeltime. After two years, the non-cash Safety Net Assistance voucher system provides benefits.

Emergency Temporary Assistance through Emergency Assistance for Families (EAF) or Emergency Safety Net Assistance (ESNA) provides assistance for crisis situations including evictions, moving expenses, utility shutoffs, help with food expenses, and diversion payments to help individuals avoid the need for ongoing assistance. Individuals do not need to be on public assistance to receive Emergency Temporary Assistance.

* Provides financial assistance to individuals/families who have a utility shut-off or need rent assistance Assistance is based on a first come, first serve basis.

Provides permanent support housing and support for individuals and families with HIV/AIDS.

Offers temporary help for individuals and families in need while they work towards self sufficiency.

Family Assistance (FA) provides money for families with children. Cash benefits are limited to five years in a recipient's lifetime. After five years, a Family Assistance case may continue to receive benefits if an adult is disabled and cannot work or may be required to apply for assistance through the Safety Net category.

Safety Net Assistance (SNA) provides money for basic living expenses for single adults and childless couples (or families who have used up their 5-year limit of FA). Cash benefits are limited to two years in a recipient's lifetime. After two years, the non-cash Safety Net Assistance voucher system provides benefits.

Emergency Temporary Assistance through Emergency Assistance for Families (EAF) or Emergency Safety Net Assistance (ESNA) provides assistance for crisis situations including evictions, moving expenses, utility shutoffs, help with food expenses, and diversion payments to help individuals avoid the need for ongoing assistance. Individuals do not need to be on public assistance to receive Emergency Temporary Assistance.

Provides assistance with basic needs for individuals or families who have emergency need, including those who are homeless or at risk of being homeless. Services provided, as resources permit, include emergency rent payment assistance, local and long distance transit fare, prescription payment assistance, clothing, utility assistance as well as one time assistance for unexpected financial hardship.

Provides assistance in obtaining services, referrals and advocacy related to evictions, utility issues and other emergency needs.

Provides prescription and first month rent/security deposit financial help. Will also discuss options with those who have received an eviction notice.