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.

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.

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.

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

*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.

Offers individuals assistance to apply for HEAP benefits.

HEAP provides Delaware County's eligible older population with financial help to pay home heating bills. HEAP assistance may be applied for by those 60+ yrs by calling and requesting a mail-in application.

Can assist people with HEAP applications that are not receiving SNAP or TANF.2022 HEAP Air Conditioning Guidelines

* 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.

Assistance 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:- employment letter- utility or phone bill 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:-late rent notice-repair bill- utility bill/shutoff notice- other statement ie insurance, childcare, etcDocument upload short url: 211tompkins.org/uploadmobile friendly, screenshots and pictures of the documents can be uploadedClick on the link below to begin the intake process MUST BE FILLED OUT BY LOCAL 2-1-1 STAFF:https://forms.gle/9XfAjbZzDF4Yegwr7

* Facilitates applications for financial assistance to low income individuals through the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP), which offers various benefit components. Regular Benefit: assists low income individuals with the cost of heating their home. Emergency Benefit: assists low income individuals who are facing a heat or heat related energy emergency.

* Provides information and referral for legal and financial matters, transportation difficulties, housing availability, and health service & counseling.* Provides on site assistance with tax preparation, Medicare forms and the Home Energy Assistance Program.* Provides recreation and social programs, as well as travel days, cards, dancing and celebrations.* Provides transportation to and from center.

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.

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