HSCTC

A listing of some of the services available to help individuals who are unemployed. For a complete and comprehensive listing, please call 2-1-1 or visit our online directory of services.

Do I Qualify for Benefits?

www.mybenefits.ny.gov
Find out if you are eligible for state assistance programs and services. You can even apply for some online. Some of the programs include Food Stamps, Home Energy Assistance, Medicaid, Family Health Plus, Child Health Plus, WIC (Women, Infants, Children), Healthy NY, Earned Income Tax Credits, Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit, school breakfast and lunch programs.

Filing for Unemployment

The local Tompkins County Workforce Office does not handle unemployment claims. Individuals wishing to file for unemployment should contact the New York State Department of Labor at (888) 209-8124 or online at http://www.labor.state.ny.us/

Finding Work

Tompkins Workforce New York
171 East State Street (Center Ithaca), Ithaca NY
(607) 272-7570
Mon-Fri, 8:30AM to 4:30PM
Wide range of employment services in Tompkins County. Database of open job listings can be accessed at the local office, or via the internet.

Social Services Dept., Tompkins County
320 West State Street, Ithaca NY
Temporary Assistance and Food Stamps
Information: (607) 274-5345
Appointments: (607) 274-5348
One time grants for income eligible individuals entering or re-entering the work force who need a car repaired to get to work. Car repair funds can also be obtained by applying through the regular public assistance process.

Women's Opportunity Center
315 North Tioga Street, Ithaca NY
(607) 272-1520
Information and assistance for women and men in transition to overcome obstacles and gain employment. Offers career and educational counseling, computer classes, career workshops, job
training, and resume preparation, professional clothing and temporary transportation assistance.

Experience Works, Ithaca Office
171 East State Street (Center Ithaca), 2nd floor, Ithaca NY
(607) 272-7570
Provides part-time work training assignments designed to prepare for employment to low-income persons over age 55.

Vocational & Educational Services for Individuals w/ Disabilities (VESID)
244 West Water Street, Elmira NY 14901
Ithaca Office:(607) 272-7570
District Office - Elmira: (607) 734-5294 or toll free (800) 888-5020
VESID provides vocational rehabilitation services to eligible individuals to prepare them for suitable jobs and careers. VESID can also help people with disabilities who are having problems keeping their jobs through counseling and transitional services. VESID links clients with local programs for development of independent living skills.

Challenge, Inc.
402 East State Street, Ithaca NY
(607) 272-8990
Mon-Fri, 8:00AM to 4:00PM
Vocational assessments, supports, experiences and placements for job success for people with disabilities and others with barriers to employment.

Transportation Assistance
Social Services Department, Tompkins County
(607) 274-5022
People who are actively seeking employment and meet program eligibility requirements can receive three one-day bus passes for a a two week period until they secure gainful employment. Once an individual has secured work and continues to meet eligibility requirements, he or she will be given three months of employment transportation support with bus passes or gas cards.

Housing

Facing Foreclosure?

Catholic Charities of Chemung County
Housing Counselor: Jane Galvin
(607) 734-9784 ext. 132
Alternatives to foreclosure for Tompkins County homeowners.

Consumer Credit Counseling Service of the Central Southern Tier
The Metro Center
49 Court Street, Binghamton NY 13901
(607) 723-2671
Cornell University Campus Satellite Office (by appointment for Cornell employees)

Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Central New York
500 South Salina Street, Suite 600
Syracuse NY 13202
Toll-free: (800) 479-6026
(315) 474-6026

Homeownership Preservation Foundation
3033 Excelsior Blvd., Suite 500
Minneapolis MN 55416
1-888-995-HOPE (4673)
http://www.995hope.org
A counselor reviews a caller's financial and mortgage situation and determines assistance programs the caller qualifies for. At the caller's request, a counselor can also interact with the caller's mortgage company. Have your mortgage information available (number, lender's name) when you call.

Making Home Affordable
www.makinghomeaffordable.com
Do-it-yourself tools for determining your eligibility for assistance. Home Affordable Refinance questionnaire for borrowers with Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac loans. Try the Home Affordable Modification section if you struggle with monthly mortgage payments because of interest rate increase or less income.

Neighborhood Legal Services, Tompkins/Tioga
215 North Cayuga St. (DeWitt Building), Ithaca NY
Toll-free: (800) 724-4170
(607) 273-3666
Legal assistance to low-income individuals in civil cases only. Housing (including potential foreclosures related to predatory lending practices) and public benefits such as Social security, SSI, Food Stamps, unemployment, and eviction.

Need a Place to Live?

American Red Cross of Tompkins County
Homeless Services Program
201 West Clinton Street, Ithaca NY
Homeless hotline: (607) 273-9177
Assistance to those who are homeless or in danger of becoming homeless by helping participants find safe and secure housing and the financial means to keep it.

Getting and Staying Well

Tompkins County Social Services Dept.
Community Medicaid
320 West State Street, Ithaca NY
(607) 274-5359
Assistance for people who can't pay for medical care. Income & resource standards depend on age, health and household expenditures.

Ithaca Free Clinic
225 South Fulton Street, Suite B, Ithaca NY
Clinic Coordinator: (607) 330-1254
www.ithacahealth.org
Mainstream and complementary/alternative medical services for the un- and under-insured in the Tompkins County area.

Catholic Charities, Tompkins/Tioga Counties
Samaritan Center
324 West Buffalo Street, Ithaca NY
(607) 272-5062, ext. 27
Site for Child Health Plus, Family Health Plus and Medicaid applications in Tompkins County.

Get Healthy Tompkins
Cayuga Medical Center at Ithaca101 Dates Drive, Ithaca NY
(607) 274-4011
http://www.gethealthytompkins.org/
In-depth information and research on hundreds of diseases, drugs, medical tests, self-help resources and complementary resources. Information on more than 2,400 prescription medications, including side effects and drug interactions.

Healthy Living Partnership, Cancer Resource Center of the Finger Lakes
612 West State Street, Ithaca NY
(607) 277-0960
Free screening services for the uninsured: mammograms women 40 and older, clinical breast exams for women 18 and over, pap/pelvic exams for women 18 and older, HPV vaccine for Women 19-26, colorectal cancer screenings for men and women 50 and over. There is also a means-tested treatment fund for people diagnosed, through this program, with these cancers and prostate cancer.

Human Services Coalition of TC, Inc.,
Health Planning Council, Get Covered Info Line
100 West Seneca Street, Suite 300
2-1-1 or 1-877-211-8667
http://www.hsctc.org/
Mon-Fri, 8:30AM to 5:00PM
Call and get information about health insurance options, including free and low-cost plans through New York State. Does NOT enroll individuals into health insurance programs.

Planned Parenthood of the Southern Finger Lakes
314 West State Street, Ithaca NY
(607) 796-0220
Provides the information, resources and services people need to make informed choices about sexuality and reproductive health care. All services are offered regardless of age, gender, income level or sexual orientation. Payment based on a sliding fee scale.

Learning New Skills

BOCES
555 Warren Road, Ithaca NY
(607) 257-1551
www.tstboces.org
Online courses in accounting, computer courses, grant writing, languages etc.

Commercial Drivers License Training
Greater Ithaca Activities Center
318 North Albany Street, Ithaca NY
Lillian Lightbourn (Cell): (607) 280-0622
General (ext. 242): (607) 272-3622
Free classroom and hands-on training in operating tractor-trailers and vehicles carrying more than 15 passengers. Preference given to City of Ithaca residents, also available to Tompkins County residents.

Tompkins Cortland Community College (TC3)
170 North Street, Dryden NY 13053
PO Box 139
Main Campus: (607) 844-8211
31 degree programs in business, health, human services, new media, technology, liberal arts and two-year program leading to A.A.S. in nursing. Programs that fund tuition, books, fees, child care and transportation for individuals attending TC3 are available. Participants qualify for and are referred through the Tompkins County Department of Social Services.
Public Assistance Comprehensive Education (PACE) provides support, advocacy, academic advisement, tutoring and help with resume writing and job searching for students pursuing an Associate's Degree in several programs.
Child Assistance Program (CAP) allows parents to study for 6 course credits/semester at TC3 through wages and child support to help parents become independent and economically self sufficient. More information:
Social Services Dept., T.C., Child Assistance Program (CAP)
320 West State Street, Ithaca NY, (607) 274-5239

Start Your Own Business

Business CENTS
Alternatives Federal Credit Union
125 North Fulton Street, Ithaca NY
(607) 216-3423
cents@alternatives.org
Classroom training, one-to-one assistance, networking and financing options for people interested in starting businesses.

Child Care Resource and Referral, Child Development Council
609 West Clinton Street, Ithaca NY
(607) 273-0259
lynne@childdevelopmentcouncil.org
Help with starting a child care businesses

Small Business Development Center
Tompkins County Chamber of Commerce
Appointments: (607) 273-7080
sbdc@binghamton.edu
Management and technical assistance to start up and existing small businesses. Direct one-on-one counseling on small business problems and educational programs targeted to the needs and interests of small business persons. Special emphasis is placed upon providing counseling services for women, veterans, handicapped and minority entrepreneurs. An SBDC counselor comes to Ithaca once or twice a month.

Worker Ownership Resource Center (WORC)
Elmira office (covers Ithaca): (607) 737-5212
Helps individuals of low to moderate income with little or no business experience start a business by providing classroom business training, individual assistance and peer support.

Free Resources

Tompkins County Public Library
101 East Green Street, Ithaca NY
(607) 272-4557
Library cards are free to residents of Tompkins, Cayuga, Cortland, Schuyler, Seneca, and Tioga, Counties. Apply at the library or online. Borrow books, magazines, CDs, and DVDs.
Computers are equipped with Microsoft Office 2003 software (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Publisher). Internet access available one hour a day. *Note: you need a library card to use computers.
Print (20 cents a page) from public computers.
Wireless (Wi-Fi) service for laptop users.
Job search resources for local residents: www.flls.org/outreach/jobseekers.htm.
Questions? Contact the Adult Services Librarian: (607) 272-4556

Craigslist, Ithaca
ithaca.craigslist.org
Local classifieds and forums for 450 cities worldwide including Ithaca. It is community moderated and relatively free. Jobs, housing, goods, services, local activities, etc., are available on Craigslist.

Download Printable Job Applications
job-applications.com
Links to printable job application forms (usually in PDF form) from a variety of retail and food service employers.

Unemployment Lifeline
Operated by the AFL-CIO
www.unemploymentlifeline.org
Links to more than 50 area resources, plus resource booklet," When the Paycheck Stops," and internet forums on relevant issues.