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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 financial assistance to help low-income households meet home energy costs.

Regular Benefits range from $20 to $500. Amounts depend on income, age of household members, energy costs, and shelter situation. Typically it is a one-time only benefit during the program year.

Emergency Benefits are available for persons who are eligible for HEAP and have an energy-related emergency, such as a power shutoff, less than tank oil, kerosene, or propane, or less than ten days' supply of wood, pellets, or coal. Applicant households must meet a resource test. Benefit amounts vary. Typically it is a one-time only benefit during the program year.

Heating Equipment Repair or Replacement Benefits are available to repair or replace a furnace, boiler, or other direct heating equipment necessary to keep the home's primary heating source working.

Cooling Assistance Benefits are available to purchase and install an air conditioner or a fan to help keep the home cool. To qualify, individuals must have already received a regular benefit greater than $21 and have a documented medical condition that is exacerbated by heat.

Clean and Tune Benefits are available to clean the household's primary heating equipment but may also include chimney cleaning, minor repairs, installation of carbon monoxide detectors or programmable thermostats, if needed, to allow for the safe, proper, and efficient operation of the heating equipment. Benefit amounts are based on the actual cost incurred to provide clean and tune services, up to a maximum of $400.

Seniors ages 60 and older can contact HEAP through the Office for the Aging at 518-884-4111 to request a mail-in application.

Assists older individuals in accessing applications for applying for HEAP grants. HEAP grants are used to supplement annual energy costs. Funds can be used to pay for electricity, propane, natural gas, oil, kerosene, coal and any other heating fuel. Emergency HEAP grants may also be available to eligible households with a shut-off notice or for those running out of fuel such as propane, wood, oil, kerosene or coal.

* 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 temporary financial assistance to individuals who are in need including help with gas money, processing National Fuel assistance applications, bus tokens, and additional situations depending on need. Limited funding is available.

Provides federal funding to local department of social services that is used to supplement annual energy costs. The funding can also be used to help households in a heat or heating related emergency. Funds can be used to pay for electricity, propane, natural gas, oil, kerosene, coal and any other heating fuel. Emergency HEAP grants may also be available to eligible households with a shut-off notice or for those running out of fuel such as propane, wood, oil, kerosene or coal. Furnace repair/replacement grants are also available to repair or replace the primary heating source.

Provides a one- time limited emergency financial assistance which may include help with basic needs, fuel, electric, and gas assistance, and medical prescription assistance.

* Offers telephone services for special populations. Individuals who have deafness or hearing impairments, blindness, or physical challenges. * Offers a discount program for customers on public assistance. Deferred payment agreements. * Provides third-party notification in case of illness or absence from home.

* Supplier of electric and gas service wholly within the State of New York. The production, transmission, distribution and sale of these services in a nine county area. Coding for Life Support Users - Customers who require service for life-sustaining equipment. Notification will be made for planned outages and priority given for unplanned outages service reconnection. Medical Emergency - If a household member has a serious medical condition that requires utility service and receives a shut off notice, service will be continued for 30 days with a doctor's note. Extensions may be given with continued notes from doctors or the Board of Health indicating why continued service is necessary. Special Coding for Seniors - Provides advanced notice prior to shut off due to non payment. Third Party Notification - Allows customers to designate an individual to receive notification before their service is turned off due to nonpayment. Payment Arrangements - Re-payment scheduling for persons whose power has been cut off or in jeopardy of being so. Energy Assistance Program - For low-income customers who receive HEAP consisting of two components: Basic Benefit (LIRR) and Arrears Forgiveness Benefit (LIAF) programs. Large-Print Bills and Braille Bills available for individuals with visual impairments.

The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) is a Federally funded program that assists eligible households in meeting their home energy needs. If eligible, you may receive one regular HEAP benefit per program year and could also be eligible for emergency HEAP benefits if you are in danger of running out of fuel or having your utility service shut off.” The 2024-2025 Regular HEAP benefit opened on November 1, 2024. The 2024-2025 First and Second Emergency is scheduled to open January 2, 2025. The 2024-2025 Heating Equipment Repair and Replacement benefit opened on October 1, 2024. The 2024-2025 HEAP Clean and Tune benefit opened on October 1, 2024. The 2024-2025 Cooling Assistance Benefit is schedule to open on April 15, 2025.

The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) is a Federally funded program that assists eligible households in meeting their home energy needs. If eligible, you may receive one regular HEAP benefit per program year and could also be eligible for emergency HEAP benefits if you are in danger of running out of fuel or having your utility service shut off.” The 2024-2025 Regular HEAP benefit opened on November 1, 2024. The 2024-2025 First and Second Emergency is scheduled to open January 2, 2025. The 2024-2025 Heating Equipment Repair and Replacement benefit opened on October 1, 2024. The 2024-2025 HEAP Clean and Tune benefit opened on October 1, 2024. The 2024-2025 Cooling Assistance Benefit is schedule to open on April 15, 2025.

Provides utility or medication payment assistance for low income adults and also seniors who are in financial hardship.

Utility assistance in paying for water services.

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.

Emergency financial assistance to low income Cortland County families and individuals having difficulty paying heat-related bills.Eligibility and application: individuals who meet HEAP income guidelines call CAPCO for an appointment to apply HEAP recipients CAN apply for Care & ShareHeartShare Human Services of New York currently administers the program.Visit the Care and Share page at HeartShare Human Services

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:

Offers FREE wireless phone and UNLIMITED data, text and minutes each month for those in need. Qualifiers:MedicaidSupplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (Food Stamps or SNAP)Supplemental Security IncomeFederal Public Housing AssistanceVeterans and Survivors Pension Benefit

Provides financial assistance to help low-income households meet home energy costs.

Regular Benefits range from $20 to $500. Amounts depend on income, age of household members, energy costs and shelter situation. Typically it is a one-time only benefit during the program year.

Emergency Benefits are available for persons who are eligible for HEAP and have an energy-related emergency such as a power shutoff, less than tank oil, kerosene or propane or have less than 10 days' supply of wood, pellets or coal. Applicant households must meet a resource test. Benefit amounts vary. Typically it is a one-time only benefit during the program year.

Heating Equipment Repair or Replacement Benefits are available to repair or replace a furnace, boiler, or other direct heating equipment necessary to keep the home's primary heating source working.

Cooling Assistance Benefits are available to purchase and install an air conditioner or a fan to help keep the home cool. Individuals must have already received a regular benefit greater than $21 and have a documented medical condition that is exacerbated by heat.

Clean and Tune Benefits are available to clean the household's primary heating equipment, but may also include chimney cleaning, minor repairs, installation of carbon monoxide detectors or programmable thermostats, if needed, to allow for the safe, proper, and efficient operation of the heating equipments. Benefit amounts are based on the actual cost incurred to provide clean and tune services, up to a maximum of $400.

* 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.