211 Frequently Asked Questions
Have a question about 211? Check out some of our most frequently-asked questions.
211 is for everyone! Anyone can reach our Information and Referral service by dialing 2.1.1 or 1.877.211.8667 on Tompkins or Cortland County land line phones, Spectrum cable phones, and most cell phones in Tompkins and Cortland County. There are no income limits or other requirements to be able to ask for help from 211.
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, descriptions of programs, phone numbers, and other information) for each need.
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. We can also email or send you a text message with this information, if you do not have a pen and paper available.
If you communicate with 211 by text message, email, or online chat, you can expect the same kind of assistance, we will just be using those modes of communication instead of voice.
Getting help from 211 is confidential and as anonymous as possible 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 ensure confidentiality, we do not request caller’s names (unless we are given permission to follow-up with, or advocate for the caller).
We do give callers the option of sharing their phone number or email address so we can reach out after the contact to see how we did or if they need any other assistance. This follow-up is completely optional and is not required to get help.
Sometimes, 211 acts as the phone center for other community programs. We might help to take registrations or sign people up for other services. In these cases, we do need to ask for any information that is needed to register. This might include name, address, contact information, or other details. If we do help you sign up for a service, your information will only be shared with that program and not with anyone else.
211 is for non-emergency calls related to health and human services, health, and community programs. 211 provides information and connections to community resources that can help meet your needs
911 is for fire, police, or medical response emergency calls.
988 provides crisis support for thoughts of suicide, mental health crises, substance use crises, and emotional distress.
411 is for directory assistance.
We have a helpful page with more information about when to call 211, 911, or 988.
There is no charge for the 211 service, and no charge if you are dialing from a landline phone. Callers can call us toll-free by dialing 1.877.211.8667.
If you are calling by cell phone and your plan has a fixed number of minutes, a call to 211 will count toward your minutes.
If you are having problems reaching us by dialing 2-1-1, call 1.877.211.8667 toll-free. Please tell the Community Services Specialist who answers your call that you tried dialing 2.1.1 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 2.1.1 won’t automatically work. In these cases, internal phone system changes should allow 211 dialing. Organizations have different mechanisms and rules in this regard. A good first step would be to contact your technical support or communications department and let them know you want to be able to dial 2.1.1.
The listings in our 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 or programs 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, simply email us. A Community Services Specialist will call you to see if your agency meets our inclusion criteria.
With limited exceptions, 211 Tompkins Cortland will not generally include for-profit businesses, private practitioners, or retailers. Other restrictions may also apply.