Lifeline provides discounts, currently $9.25 per month, on landline or wireless telephone service, for eligible low-income subscribers***.ONE Lifeline service is permitted per household, defined as any individual or group of individuals who live together at the same address as one economic unit.Applications are made through the current telephone company or preferred company. For a list of phone companies, click NYS Phone Companies.***At or below 135% of the federal poverty guidelines or participating in benefit programs such as Food Stamps (SNAP), Medicaid, SSI (Supplemental Security Income), HEAP (Home Energy Assistance Program), Veteran's Disability or Surviving Spouse Pension, Section 8, etc.Link-Up America, which helped income-eligible consumers pay telephone installation costs or wireless activation fees, has been discontinued, except in certain tribal areas.

Provides qualified customers with high-speed internet at an affordable price. The program has no contracts, data use caps or hidden fees. New customers can complete our online application and select between:Spectrum Internet Assist: Includes 50-Mbps high-speed internet, parental controls, Security Suite and an internet modem for $25 per month. An additional discount may reduce your cost to $15. ORSpectrum Internet Advantage: Includes 100-Mbps high-speed internet, parental controls, Security Suite and an internet modem for $30 per month for 1 year.Existing Spectrum Internet Assist customers may qualify for an additional benefit. Find out more.To submit your information by mail, please download and print the PDF version of the form (English | Espanol).

Update July 2024- The Samaritan Center has a NOEP coordinator that assists with SNAP eligibility and application.Referrals and assistance to low-income residents with urgent needs at its Ithaca offices and food pantries in Danby, Groton and Caroline.Free clothing, personal care products, linens, towels sheets and diapersAccepts gently used donations of bedding (sheets, blankets,etc.), towels and clean clothing for men, women and children, including shoes.Once-a-year emergency financial help when resources are available:Security deposits eligibility requirements:-Tompkins County resident moving within Tompkins County-Ineligible for Department of Social Services security deposit voucher-Family has not received security deposit funds in the past 5 years-Income must be less than 60% AMI guidelines-Assistance must be within the FMR guidelines for the unit size and household size-Application and approval process take about 2 weeks-Applicant can not reside in unit before approved inspection or application approvalUtilities- Must have shut-off notice and denial from DSS during HEAP (they are flexible w/ requiring DSS denial letters).Can do minimal fills for propane.Back rent - when funding is available (similar eligibility guidelines as security deposits program)Prescription medications (controlled substances not eligible)Transportation assistance - bus passes or gas vouchers for: education (semester long), employment (verification required-not to look for employment), or medical appointments within Tompkins County.Limited car repair funding available, applicant needs a quote and mechanic needs a W9. Applicant pays the difference for repairs beyond $500.Moving Assistance (limited funding)- Partnership with Reuse where CC refers to the ReMap program for store credit to get furniture, household goods, appliances, etc., and Reuse provides access to moving truck, driver and movers for up to 2 hours for one move per year.-Move must be within Tompkins County.-Low-income households (60% AMI guidelines)-The program doesn't have the capacity to go up and down multiple floors when moving items.-All items must be packed and prepped for moving.-Items can be moved to a storage facility rather than apartment, if there is not a new apartment lined up yet-Refer to the Samaritan Center for screening.Tompkins County site for:Fidelis, Child Health Plus, Medicaid, and Medicare applicationsFood Stamps screeningAnnual Winter Event "Share the Warmth": clothing drive gathers items at red collection bins throughout Tompkins County. Seeks donations of clean items in good condition (working zippers, no missing buttons, no spots/stains). Typically late November or Early December.

* Provider of electricity, natural gas and energy services.* Provides advocacy and crisis intervention to customers having financial difficulties through the customer advocacy program.

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

Personal Emergency Response Systems (PERS) units allow an individual to contact emergency help by pushing a button. PERS units provide peace of mind for individuals who may live alone or be at risk of falling. Units are provided at a reduced cost for individuals aged 60+.

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

* Offers information/referral and assistance programs for senior citizens with Advocacy Nutrition program Case management Dial-a-friend Long term care ombudsman Income tax counseling Loan closet Emergency response program Home delivered meals* Offers home energy assistance program (HEAP) assistance with gas and electric bills.* Offers the expanded in-home services for the elderly program. Cost-sharing home care for functionally impaired elderly In-home assessment Case management Homemaker/personal care aide services Housekeeping/chore services* Offers transportation assistance.* Offers home repair.* Offers legal services.

* 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.

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

To build New York State's digital infrastructure and connect all New Yorkers through the internet.

Expands access to internet service by ensuring large internet service providers offer affordable options for high-speed internet to low-income customers, and by investing in continued broadband deployment throughout the state

Assists in receiving a monthly water bill discount, which will be applied to meter facility charge. This discount can account for up to 25% of an average residential bill. Automatically enrolled if previously received assistance through the state’s Low Income Household Water Assistance Program(LIHWAP). Also, eligible for the program if, in the last 12 months if participated in another utility affordability program or received assistance through qualifying government programs, including: • Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance • Federal Lifeline Program • Federal Public Housing Assistance • Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservation • Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) • Medicaid • Safety Net Assistance • Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program • Supplemental Security Income • Temporary Assistance to Needy Persons/Families • Tribal Head Start • Tribal Temporary Assistance to Needy Families • Veterans Pension and Survivors Benefit Programs

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

Provides financial relief to low-income New York households by making their electric and/or natural gas utility bills more affordable through monthly bill discounts.

Provides in-person customer service assistance for any National Fuel related questions, concerns, issues, or special programs as listed below. National Fuel offers a number of payment assistance programs, special protections, and programs for special needs to help make managing utility bill payments easier. More detailed information available at https://www.nationalfuelgas.com/utility/forHome/residential_resources.aspx Low Income Usage Reduction Program (LIURP): Offers a heating system check, an energy audit, installation of weatherization, infiltration reduction, natural gas usage reduction measures, and consumer education. Program is for houses with highest levels of consumption. Customers are referred to this program internally. Eligible customers must have an active account and 12 months of uninterrupted service prior to measures. Conservation Incentive Program: Residential customers in the WNY service area can get a number of rebates when appliances are replaced with energy-efficient models. Non-residential customers can get rebates for rentals or business and save money through fixed or customized rebates on select energy-efficient equipment upgrades, regardless of natural gas consumption. Discounts are offered on appliances such as furnaces, water heaters, boilers, and gas dryers. Budget Plan: Divides a customer's estimated annual bill by 12 to establish a more predictable monthly payment amount. Also offers a 10-month budget plan covering September through June. Direct Pay: Pay directly from checking or savings account automatically on the day bill is due. This plan eliminates the need to write checks and buy stamps. Online Services: Receive and pay bills, view account history, submit a meter reading, enroll in the Budget Plan, and more, all electronically. Submit Meter Readings: Report meter readings anytime by calling 888-634-7323 or visiting nationalfuelgas.com Special Protections: For New York customers residing in households where all residents are age 62 or older, 18 or younger, blind or disabled, special protections are available to ensure that the heat stays on in the winter. Neighbor for Neighbor Heat Fund: Home-heating assistance program which provides low-income Western New Yorkers with a one-time yearly cash grant of up to $400 to help prevent disconnection of their utility service, pay current or past due energy bills (excluding electric utilities), or purchase home heating fuel of any kind. Hospitalized Customer Assistance Plan: Provides a 30-day bill-payment extension if there is an anticipated a hospital stay of 10 or more days. Extra Security Plan: Eligible customers can receive an extra measure of security if retired or permanently disabled by coordinating bill due dates to coincide with the arrival of income checks to allow for timely payment. Statewide Low Income Program (SLIP): Customers who receive Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) grants are also automatically enrolled in the Statewide Low Income Program (SLIP), a program that provides monthly discounts on gas delivery charges. The discount amount is based on the amount of the HEAP grant they receive. Any National Fuel Gas customers receiving HEAP are automatically enrolled into SLIP with the respective tier-based credit beginning on the next month’s bill. If You're Out of Work: Offers advice on programs and assistance available to you if you are unemployed or expecting a layoff. Third-Party Notification: Customers can designate a third party to receive any reminder or shut-off notices that may come as a result of forgetting to pay a bill. Assistance Referrals: Provides referrals to community services to help resolve payment problems. Works together with social service agencies to help determine eligibility for various public programs. Smell Gas, Leave Fast: If you smell rotten eggs, it could be a natural gas leak. Leave the premise immediately and contact National Fuel from a different location at 1-800-444-3130, available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Offers a reduced rate on the primary residential phone line for eligible customers. Call for eligibility requirements or visit the Lifeline Support Website (www.lifelinesupport.org).

information and assistance applying for: STAR IT 214 Tax rebate cable TV discounts telephone lifeline Food Stamps/SNAP HEAP other programs as available

Search HERE for service providers in your zip codeThe Affordable Broadband Act (ABA), codified in NY General Business Law, requires internet service providers (ISPs) in New York State, with limited exceptions, to offer reduced-cost plans to qualifying households.Under the ABA, ISPs who are not exempted from the program are required to offer qualifying households broadband service at no more than $15 per month for at least 25 Mbps of service. If an ISP offers a $20 per month plan for high-speed broadband service of at least 200 Mbps they are considered in compliance with the law. An ISP is not required to offer both plans. No bundles, additional fees, or taxes are allowed to be required or charged by the ISP.Non-exempt ISPs are required to offer reduced-cost options for all connections of any speed over fixed wireless, wireline, or satellite services. ABA does not include reduced-cost plan options for mobile or dial-up services.New Yorkers can qualify for these broadband plans if their household participates in any of the following programs:Free or reduced-priced lunch through the National School Lunch ProgramSupplemental Nutrition Assistance ProgramMedicaidSenior citizen rent increase exemptionDisability rent increase exemptionAffordability benefit from a utility

Project 10Million is free internet for 5 years plus a hotspot device to families with at least 1 student on the national school lunch program - no chance for fees or overages or anything at all

Provides a free cell phone with coverage, up to one year, to individuals or families who are on public assistance and below the poverty guidelines and cannot afford telephone communication. These phone are to be used for emergency situations outside the home or for assistance in seeking and retaining employment.

Provides free wireless phone service to low-income individuals who qualify.

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

Provides a free cell phone and airtime each month for income-eligible customers.

Provides a reduction in the delivery and system charges portion of the bill. You may qualify if you receive benefits from certain non-PSEG financial assistance programs. You may be eligible for this rate if you have an active residential PSEG account in your name and are currently receiving benefits from at least one of the following programs: Child Health Plus, Federal Lifeline Program, Federal Public Housing Assistance, Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP), Medicaid, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Temporary Assistance - Family Assistance (FA), Temporary Assistance - Safety Net Assistance (SNA), US Veteran’s Disability Pension/Surviving Spouse Pension - Non-Service Connected Disability, Veteran’s Pension or Survivor's Benefit.