211 Frequently Asked Questions

Anyone can reach our Information and Referral service (I&R) by dialing 211 or 1.877.211.8667 on all Tompkins or Cortland County land lines as well as Time Warner Cable phones. Most cell phone companies now provide 211 connectivity in Tompkins and Cortland Counties.

Dialing 211 connects callers with a trained Community Services Specialist who will find out what the caller needs and then search for services that may help. Community Services Specialists try to give at least 2-3 resources (names of agencies and phone numbers) for each need.

Community Services Specialists ask callers for city or town of residence and, in some cases, age. This information ensures that callers are eligible for the programs nearest to them. To insure confidentiality, we do not request caller’s names (unless we are given permission to follow-up with, or advocate for the caller).

Community Services Specialists will give important information on how to access appropriate services. Callers will want to write down that information, so it is a good idea to have a pen and paper ready.

* 2-1-1 is for non-emergency calls related to health and social services.

* 4-1-1 is for directory assistance.

* 9-1-1 is for fire, police, or medical response emergency calls.

There is no charge for dialing 211 from your land line phone. Mobile phones deplete airtime minutes while connected to 211.

If you are having problems reaching us by dialing 211, call 1.877.211.8667. Please tell the Community Services Specialist who answers your call that you tried dialing 211 unsuccessfully. The Specialist will ask you for your area code and prefix (area code + the next 3 numbers of your phone number). This will help us work on the problem.

For many telephone systems in organizations (for instance, those who need to dial 9 to get an outside line) dialing 211 won’t automatically work. In these cases, internal phone system changes should allow 211 dialing. Organizations have different mechanisms and rules in this regard.

The listings in the database represent information supplied by agency representatives. Inclusion does not imply endorsement nor does exclusion imply disapproval. Every effort is made to supply complete and accurate information; however, 211 Tompkins Cortland makes no representation with respect to the accuracy and completeness of the contents of the database and specifically disclaims any implied responsibility for the accuracy of the information provided, and shall in no event be held liable for any loss or damage.

Agencies may be absent from our database due to the Database Inclusion Policy of 211 Tompkins Cortland. 211 Tompkins Cortland also reserves the right to prioritize and limit inclusion. Factors such as staffing, funding and agency participation affect the extent to which all eligible agencies can be included.

211 Tompkins Cortland cannot endorse nor guarantee quality for the services and agencies contained on this web site.

If you would like your agency in our database, email us. A Community Services Specialist will call to see if your agency meets our inclusion criteria. 211 Tompkins Cortland will not generally include for-profit businesses, private practitioners, or retailers. Other restrictions may also apply.

Give us a call at 211 or toll free at 1.877.211.8667 or send an email to IandR@hsctc.org. We’d be happy to assist you.