Social Services

Social Services

Code Blue information can be accessed here.

HEAP Update

The Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP), also known as LIHEAP, is a federally funded energy assistance program to help low-income families meet their home energy costs. The HEAP program consists of three components – Regular HEAP, Emergency HEAP, and Cooling.

Tompkins County DSS is pleased to announce that limited funding is now available for HERR ( Heating Equipment Repair and Replacement) benefits to assist HEAP eligible households with the cost to repair or replace the applicant’s primary heating equipment.

For the 2025-2026 program year, HERR benefits will be limited to applicants who own their own home and are aged 60 or older.

Households may apply for HERR by directly contacting Tompkins County DSS at 607 274-5264.

Applications will be accepted beginning December 11, 2025. The program will be open until funds are exhausted.

Homeowners that do not meet the additional eligibility requirement may still be referred to Public Assistance. 

Now Open for 2025–2026

The Regular HEAP benefit for the 2025–2026 season officially opened on December 1, 2025. Tompkins County DSS is now accepting applications. 

The Regular HEAP season is scheduled to run through April 7, 2026, or until funding is exhausted. 

You can apply for HEAP online at www.mybenefits.ny.gov or in person at 320 W MLK/State Street, Ithaca NY 14850.  The Office is open Monday through Friday 8am-4:30pm.

Regular HEAP

There are no resource eligibility criteria for Regular HEAP. Regular benefits for households that pay directly for heat based on actual usage are paid directly to the vendor that supplies the household’s primary source of heat. Amounts depend on income, age of household members, energy costs and one’s shelter situation. Typically, it is a one-time only benefit during the program year.

Emergency HEAP

Emergency benefits are available for persons who are eligible for HEAP and have an energy-related emergency such as a power shutoff, less than ¼ 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 and typically, are a one-time only benefit during the program year.
If you have already exhausted your regular HEAP benefit, you may call the office to apply for Emergency HEAP by phone: (607) 274-5264

Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents (ABAWD)

Under federal law and regulations, an ABAWD is a SNAP applicant or recipient, aged 18 to 64, who is able to work, does not reside with a child under the age of 14 in the household and does not meet any of the criteria for an exemptions from the general SNAP work requirements and the ABAWD time limit.  

An ABAWD’s eligibility for SNAP is limited to 3 months of benefits in a fixed 3-year period unless the person:

  • meets the ABAWD work rules on a monthly basis;
  • is exempt from the ABAWD time limit;
  • resides in a district or an area within a district with a waiver of the ABAWD time limit;
  • is granted an ABAWD exclusion consistent with the district’s exclusion policy; or
  • qualifies for an additional set of three consecutive months of SNAP benefits referred to as a “grace period”.

To retain SNAP eligibility beyond the 3-month time limit, ABAWDs must:

  1. Spend at least 80 hours every month doing one or more of the following activities:     
    • Working (including “in-kind” work),
    • Participating in a qualifying work/training program approved by the district,
    • Participating in an employment and training program for veterans operated by the Department of Labor or the Department of Veterans Affairs,
    • Participating in a program under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) or the Trade Act which may include job search, job readiness, occupational skills training, and education activities,
  2. Participate in a Work Experience Program (WEP) or volunteer in a community service activity for the number of hours per month equal to the household’s SNAP benefit divided by the higher of the federal or State minimum wage.

For more information about ABAWD and SNAP please see:
Keep Your SNAP Benefits: Three Ways to Meet the ABAWD Work Rules
Helping ABAWDs Can Help Your Community Organization
You're an ABAWD. Now what?

Child Care Assistance Program Update

Due to limited funding, the Tompkins County Department of Social Services has established a waitlist for new applications and recertifications. We are still accepting new applications.

Please be advised:
• Complete and eligible applications and recertifications will be placed on a waitlist until additional funding becomes available. Please note that only applications and recertifications that are determined eligible will be added to the waitlist. Families must apply and complete the application and eligibility process to be placed on the waitlist.
• When funding resumes, cases on the waitlist will be prioritized by Federal and State guidelines.

Families who are recertifying will remain open if they fall any of the following three federal priority groups:

•Families experiencing Homelessness
• Families whose income falls under 300% of the State Income Standard (SIS)
• Families with children who have special needs

Who is NOT affected:
• Temporary Assistance cases will continue without interruption

Here’s what to expect if you are applying now:
• Once your application is complete and you have been determined eligible, you will be placed on a waiting list and notified once additional funding becomes available.
• You will be contacted by a staff member of our CCAP Unit if you can reapply. Applications dated over 30 days will need to be resubmitted and updated documents may be required.

Code Blue Information

New location starting November 24, 2025 – 227 Cherry Street in Ithaca, NY


Opening on November 24, 2025, the Code Blue shelter will operate 24/7 into April 2026, serving as a daytime warming center with support services and providing beds every night, regardless of Code Blue status or weather conditions. You can review this flyer(PDF, 2MB) for more information about services and contact information. Volunteers of America(PDF, 675KB) will operate the shelter, using a model that combines safe shelter and supportive services. You can also review VOA’s Good Neighbor Plan(PDF, 206KB) to learn more about daily operations and VOA’s commitment to community partnerships. Eligibility:
  • Adults 18 years and older.
  • Walk-ins accepted. No referral necessary.
  • Low-barrier.
Hours of Operation:
  • Warming center with case management services: 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
  • Nighttime shelter: 4 p.m. – 8 a.m.
Services offered:
  • Well-trained, experienced staff providing 24/7 coverage and security, including weekends, evenings, and overnight.
  • Meal provided on-site.
  • Transportation services to bring guests safely to the shelter.
  • Peer support and case management services.
Transportation Details
  • If you need transportation to the shelter, please call in advance between 1–3 p.m.
    • Monday through Friday: Call Tompkins County DSS at (607) 274-5680.
    • Weekends: Call the shelter directly at (607) 252-9280.
  • Pick-up Locations and Times:
    • 4:30 p.m. – Tompkins County Department of Social Services (320 W. State St.)
    • 4:45 p.m. – In front of Tompkins County Public Library (101 E. Green St.)
Contact Information:
• Ithaca Shelter: (607) 252-9280


To provide feedback on sheltering services, submit your comments or questions through our online feedback form.


To receive email notifications from Tompkins County about sheltering updates, sign up now.


Scroll down to ‘Health and Human Services’ and select ‘Addressing Homelessness.’

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Standards for FFY 2026 (Starts October 2025)

Beginning October 1, 2025, some items used to figure the amount of SNAP benefits a household gets will change. These changes are a result of federally-required changes to the standards and deductions.

Work Pays

Mobile Document Uploads

We are pleased to announce that a free State-sponsored mobile device app call NYDocSubmit is now available for use by applicants for and recipients of certain benefits programs to submit photos of their documents rather than coming to the Department in person to submit hardcopies. (Persons who can't download the app to their own device can permit others who have done so to upload their documents for them.)

For more information, please visit the the following links:

Information about Kinship Care

When a child is unable to continue living with their family of origin, members of the extended family or even family friends are sometimes able and willing to become their primary caregivers. These arrangements are often more successful than those in which kids are placed in the care of persons whom they don't know.

For more information about non-parent caregiver placements and the financial and other supports for them that are available through the Department of Social Services, please visit our Kinship Care page.

Temporary Assistance

Cash assistance program based on income and resources. Assistance can be issued on an ongoing basis or to meet an emergency need for housing or heat/utilities. Visit the NY State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance website.

Food Assistance (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program)

(607) 274-5201

Previously known as Food Stamps, the Federal SNAP program provides low-income households monthly benefits to purchase food. Income and resource standards vary according to age, health, household size and household expenditures.

You or your authorized representative can apply for SNAP online or by completing a New York State-prescribed form manually and mailing it to or dropping it off at the Department of Social Services.

The following links contain important information:

For more information -- including how to file a complaint if you feel that you've been discriminated against -- visit the SNAP page on New York State's Office of Family and Disability Assistance website.

Medicaid

Medicaid Programs - Information
(607) 274-5244

New York State of Health
1-855-355-5777

Medicaid Transportation
1-866-753-4543

Medicaid Managed Care
(607) 274-5245

Medicaid is an income-based assistance program for the medically indigent. Income and resource standards vary depending on age, health, household size, and certain household expenditures. Depending on the type of medical services sought, some applicants will not need to provide resource information; or they may be able to provide written attestation of their household’s resources. Medicaid coverage ranges from skilled nursing home care to routine medical care. Medicaid may pay for health insurance premiums including Medicare. Partial Medicaid coverage is available in some situations.

Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP)

(607) 274-5264

This Federal program helps low-income households meet the high costs of home energy. Income and resource eligibility standards, as well as available funding, change from year to year. For more information, see our dedicated web page for the HEAP program, or access one of the following New York State websites:

Child Care (Day Care) Subsidies

New York State Child Care Block Grant-funded subsidies assist parents/caretakers to pay for child care while they participate in qualifying employment, training, or educational programs. Care my take the form of traditional 'day care' or on another schedule, depending on the schedules of parents/caretakers and of available providers. Please see our dedicated page for more information about this program.

To be screened and request an application, contact our Low Income Child Care Unit at (607) 274-5219.

For help either finding or becoming a child care provider, please contact the Child Development Council at (607) 273-0259.

Transportation Resources

If you are a client of the Department of Social Services, please contact your case manager for assistance. If you're unable to reach him or her, our county Human Services Coalition's Information and Referral service is staffed 24 hours a day and can be reached either by dialing 211 or through the HSCTC website.

Other transportation-related links which may be useful:

Child Support Services

Child Support Unit
1-888-208-4485

Assists custodial parents in the establishment of paternity for children born out of wedlock; works to establish court orders regarding child support responsibilities of non-custodial parents; enforces child support orders through collection methods which may include income executions against absent parents' wages and unemployment benefits and seizure of income tax refunds and lottery winnings; receives and disburses child support payments.

Child Abuse Emergency Number

NYS Hotline
1-800-342-3720
Toll-free, 24 hours/day

Child Protective Services

(607) 274-5610

CPS responds to reports of child abuse and maltreatment with an assessment or investigation and provides protective/preventive services to families and children.

Catholic Charities' Community Connections program (272-5062 extension 28) provides help & support for parents going through the CPS process and or who have had their children placed in foster care.

Foster Care Homefinding, Adoption & Post Adoption Services

Foster Homefinding
(607) 274-5266

Adoption/Post Adoption Services
(607) 274-5615
(607) 274-5309

Foster Care Services Unit provides recruitment and retention of qualified, caring families who are willing to provide temporary foster care and work with families toward reunification. Available for our certified foster families when children cannot return to their parents. Information, referral, and clinical support provided

Youth and Family Services

(607) 274-5270

Temporary placement in foster homes, group homes, or institutions for children who temporarily cannot live at home. Provides preventive services to families, and court diversion services for youth.

Adult Protective Services

(607) 274-5323

Investigates reports of abuse/neglect of adults, provides financial management, case management, and legal interventions necessary for the protection of at-risk adults.

Long Term Care Services

(607) 274-5278

Tompkins Care Connection provides information and referral about long term care and other services such as home delivered meals, respite, and home health care.

The program also provides in-home assessments, in-home aide service, and PRI (Patient Review Instrument) assessments to determine the level of care and type of skilled nursing facility most appropriate for the individual.

Contact Us

Phone

(607) 274-5680

Email

Contact the Department of Social Services

Location

Tompkins County Department of Social Services
320 W Martin Luther King Jr./State St.
Ithaca, NY
14850
View Map

Staff

Brittanie Earle

Commissioner

Department Links

Helpful Links

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