* 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+.

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).

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

Offers FREE wireless phone and UNLIMITED data, text and minutes each month for those in need.

* 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.

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

*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.

Government assistance program that helps income eligible customers save money on their phone bills and stay connected to emergency and community services, friends, and family.

* Assists with lowering telephone bill, making it affordable for all customers.

* Provides a free cell phone and free airtime each month to low income individuals.These are used for emergencies that may occur outside of the home and also assist those seeking and retaining employment by having the ability to communicate with employers.

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

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

* Provides free cell phones and plans to qualified customers throughout New York State.

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

*The Affordable Connectivity Program replaced the Emergency Broadband Program in 2022The Affordable Connectivity Program is an FCC benefit program that helps ensure that households can afford the broadband they need for work, school, healthcare and more.The benefit provides a discount of up to $30 per month toward internet service for eligible households and up to $75 per month for households on qualifying Tribal lands. Eligible households can also receive a one-time discount of up to $100 to purchase a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet from participating providers if they contribute more than $10 and less than $50 toward the purchase price.The Affordable Connectivity Program is limited to one monthly service discount and one device discount per household.Who Is Eligible for the Affordable Connectivity ProgramA household is eligible for the Affordable Connectivity Program if the household income is at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines, or if a member of the household meets at least one of the criteria below: Received a Federal Pell Grant during the current award year; Meets the eligibility criteria for a participating provider's existing low-income internet program; Participates in one of these assistance programs: Free and Reduced-Price School Lunch Program or School Breakfast Program, including at U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Community Eligibility Provision schools. SNAP Medicaid Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Program (Section 8 Vouchers) Project-Based Rental Assistance (PBRA)/202/811 Public Housing Supplemental Security Income (SSI) WIC Veterans Pension or Survivor Benefits or Lifeline; Participates in one of these assistance programs and lives on Qualifying Tribal lands: Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance Tribal TANF Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations Tribal Head Start (income based) Affordable Housing Programs for American Indians, Alaska Natives or Native Hawaiians .

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.

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

Free cell phone services for those who qualify.

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

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

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

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.

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).