The fund is designed to help low income customers as well as active members of the military and veterans who are facing energy emergencies.

Assists individuals and families once every month by providing enough food for 3 days. (Special circumstances warrant more frequent aid.) There is also assistance in applying for Food Stamps, WIC, or other benefits, if eligible. Hygiene items, diapers, baby food, and formula are available either directly or through referral through the Pantry Plus program, based on availability.

* Provides individual assessment, support and advocacy to individuals interested in education, training and employment. * Offers ACCES-VR services and Ticket to Work. * Offers Certified Work Incentives Benefit Advisors regarding impact of wages on benefits/entitlements. * Provides Peer Training Academy.

Assists disabled recipients to pursue Supplemental Security Income benefits through U.S. Social Security Admin and assists in securing disabled status for Medicaid.

* Provides public assistance through the following programs: SNAP (Food stamps). Medicaid. Rent payment assistance. Benefit information can be found at www.mybenefits.ny.gov. * Offers emergency housing for individuals and families. * Provides assistance to teenage runaways. * Provides fraud investigation services. Reviews information and investigates complaints of welfare fraud.

* Offers emergency assistance, TANF and Safety Net Programs for eligible individuals and families. SNAP. Rent assistance. Medicaid. Child Care Subsidy (child care block grant).

Offers assistance to enroll in government-sponsored health insurance programs, such as Medicaid, Child Health Plus and Family Health Plus. Call to find out if you may be eligible.

* Provides an online tool for New York State residents where they can check their eligibility for multiple human service benefit programs and apply online for SNAP and HEAP.

* Provides public assistance through the following programs: SNAP (Food stamps). Medicaid. Rent payment assistance. Benefit information can be found at www.mybenefits.ny.gov. * Offers emergency housing for individuals and families. * Provides assistance to teenage runaways. * Provides fraud investigation services. Reviews information and investigates complaints of welfare fraud.

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.

Advocacy, emergency assistance, case management program. Provides emergency food assistance through referral process. After school homework assistance program. Provides assistance with HEAP and food stamp applications.

Assists individuals with any type of disability to understand all areas of the Social Security Administration. Provides advocacy in completing Social Security applications (SSI/SSD), compiling medical records for review, entering Work Incentive Programs, and understanding the denial and appeal process.

Offers assistance, information and pre-screening for potential for SNAP/food stamp eligibility. Staff assists in completing paperwork, copying documents, scheduling telephone interviews, following up with and advocating on behalf of applicants at the local social services department.Can help if you receive SNAP benefits and have lost food due to natural disasters, equipment failure or electric outages.

Helps vulnerable families access public entitlements, emergency food, food stamp applications, shelter, eviction prevention, and other benefits assistance. Also offer financial literacy classes that teach people how to make every dollar count. (Emergency financial assistance is limited by resources).

CALLERS CAN APPLY FOR UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS ONLINE AT: the Workforce office http://www.labor.ny.gov/home at any of Workforce's community or partner agencies**Job assistance to individuals and groups, such as: access to job listing sources free monthly work-related workshops job/career counseling resource center with computers for searches and resume work resume, cover letter and application assistance job interview coaching; help in job search techniques and placement networking events and job/career fairs access to special skill training Job Link program for young people 16-21 years old (jobs and skills assistance) military veterans program specialized employment program for ex-offenders support for 50+ job seekers on-site disability specialist knowledge of community resources and job programs for referrals unfair labor practices (contact labor services representative supervisor) intensive services for individuals with difficulty finding employment, such as assessments and funding assistance for training and skill development.The center works with local employers to: provide information about accommodations, hiring incentives and connecting with qualified job seekers with disabilities help employee recruitment access employee training opportunities, workplace incentives and labor market information**ACCES-VR, TST BOCES, TC DSS, Office of Employment & Training, Experience Works, TC Office for the Aging, Tompkins Community Action, Women's Opportunity Center, Challenge, NYS Dept. of Labor and Tompkins Cortland Community College.

Offers a free one-hour consultation with a family support specialist to discuss questions about obtaining a developmental evaluation as well as exploring services for children or adults with autism and/or other related intellectual or developmental disabilities.

Helps in finding housing, clothing, furniture, emergency food, child care, etc. Referral to counseling, self-help groups, social services, legal aid. Offers Thanksgiving assistance. Offers Christmas assistance of family food packages and clothing gifts for children. Represents rural needs on area agency boards and committees.

Provides free and confidential prescreening regarding eligibility for SNAP. Assists member programs with providing referrals to SNAP and assistance with other food stamp related issues.

Provides food security programs, emergency housing services and prescription assistance for individuals and families in need.

* Administers the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly known as food stamps). Assistance available online with eligibility requirements and application processes by visiting www.mybenefits.ny.gov.

Offers a free one-hour consultation with a family support specialist to discuss questions about obtaining a developmental evaluation as well as exploring services for children or adults with autism and/or other related intellectual or developmental disabilities.

Provides confidential pre-screening to determine potential SNAP eligibility. Then assists with application process. Home visits can be arranged for elderly and/or disabled persons.

SNAP, formerly food stamps, issues monthly electronic benefits that can be used like cash for authorized retail food stores. Eligibility based on household size, income, and other factors.

* Provides an online tool for New York State residents where they can check their eligibility for multiple human service benefit programs and apply online for SNAP and HEAP.

Works with agencies to bring services to rural area. Center for information and application to Food Stamps, Child Health Plus, Family Health Plus, EPIC, HEAP, and Access to Independence (services for persons with handicaps), Office of the Aging and Family Counseling of Cortland.