CAPTAIN's Family Assistance program offers advocacy and assistance in accessing emergency funds for basic needs to families in all of Saratoga County.

Helps residential customers maintain electric service and eliminate their past-due balance by offering a reduced bill that is based on a percentage of income and debt forgiveness.

*Offers free internet for 60 days to households with K-12 or college students.

* Offers a credit toward monthly residential voice service for eligible individuals.

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.

Provides utility and rent payment assistance for low income individuals or families that have experienced an emergency situation.

The low income Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) is a federally funded program administered by the Westchester County Department of Social Services that assists eligible low-income, elderly and disabled residents with home heating costs. A cooling assistance program is available from May until August until funding is exhausted.

Provides assistance to people who are deliquent on their utilities because someone in the household lost their job, or loss of head of household. Assists families in exploring all payment options.

National Grid has 9 Consumer Advocates that cover 40 counties in Upstate New York. We work one-on-one with National Grid customers and community agency staff. National Grid Advocates are prepared to help our customers experiencing financial difficulties by offering: specialize payment arrangements deferred payment agreements bill extender program third party notification budget plan on line bill-pay

* Provides utility and rent assistance when funding is available.

HEAP is a federally-funded program that issues heating and cooling benefits to supplement a household's annual energy cost.

Provides assistance with basic needs for individuals or families who have emergency need. Services provided, as resources permit, include emergency rent payment assistance, clothing, utility assistance on a limited basis (excluding water/sewer bills), and personal hygiene items (shampoo, toothpaste, sanitary items, diapers).

Offers food vouchers from the Utica office, and a food pantry for individuals and families in the Rome area. Assists with prescription dug assistance for up to a month supply, depending on fund availability to Madison County residents.

Provides a food pantry and assists with food and other emergencies such as utilities, fuel, and shelter. Also works with families in the area of family development, including budgeting as well as job skills and job search assistance.

2024-25 HEAP Season opens 11/1/24-3/31/25HEAP emergency benefit for heat or heat-related energy emergency: opens 1/2/25-3/31/25 or until funds are exhaustedHelps low-income households supplement high costs of home energy. Households may be eligible for; single annual benefit (regular HEAP) based on the household's method of heating emergency benefits benefits for heating repair and replacementWHERE to apply: TOMPKINS COUNTY DEPT OF SOCIAL SERVICES: Households receiving recurring Temporary Assistance or Food Stamps (SNAP) and anyone not meeting applicant requirements for County Office for the Aging. COUNTY OFFICE FOR THE AGING: Households with persons age 60 and over OR receiving SSI, Social Security Disability (SSD) or Veterans' Benefits, but not receiving recurring Temporary Assistance or SNAP (Food Stamps) benefits.WHEN and HOW to apply:HEAP regular benefit: Open 11/1/23-3/15/24 Apply online, click mybenefits.ny.gov download and print an online application at http://otda.ny.gov/programs/heap/apply/ apply at local DSS office HEAP emergency benefit for heat or heat-related energy emergency:opens 1/2/24-3/15/24 Heating Equipment Repair/Replacement(HERR) open year roundHEAP Cooling funds 2024 OPENS 5/1-8/31HEAP Cooling funds 2025 opens 4/15/25-8/29/25 or until funds are exhaustedAir conditioning units dispersed on a first come-first served basis. Program ends in August or as soon as funds are depleted, whichever comes first.Households with these situations do not qualify for the program: have a working air-conditioner less than five years old received a HEAP funded air-conditioner in the last 5 years live in ineligible housing such as subsidized housing with heat included do not meet the medical or income guidelinesCall the DSS HEAP unit, 607-274-5264, for screening.

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 emergency financial assistance one time to help pay for fuel, utility, medical bills, etc.

* Offers support services and programs to families in need, such as: Homeless Intervention and Case Management. Supportive Housing Program for Adults. Car Seat Distribution. Health insurance access. Personal Care Pantry. HEAP enrollment. Rapid Re-Housing of Homeless Families. Kinship Care Program. Kinship Care Support Group. Medicaid Transportation Program.

* Provides utility gas and electric bill payment assistance for eligible National Grid customers.

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.

Seniors ages 60 years and older can contact HEAP through the Department of Aging at 315-386-4730 to request a mail-in application.

* 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.

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

Provides start-up funding, transition funding, and ongoing financial supports in the form of rent or utilities subsidies to eligible individuals with developmental disabilities.

*Serves veterans and their families with financial assistance, with up to 4 months rent, mortgage and utilities.

Assists individuals in the community by promoting safety, healthy families and economic stability.

* Administers the distribution of gas and electric services.* Assists with making bill payment arrangements.* Provides Consumer Advocates services specializing in assisting income-eligible and vulnerable customers struggling with their home energy bills by aligning them with available programs and services offered by National Grid and local and state agency partners.