LONG ISLAND: LET OUR ELECTED OFFICIALS KNOW WE STAND UNITED TO ENSURE 211 FUNDING!

TOGETHER WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE

United Way of New York State, our local United Way, and callers across the state who continuously rely on the 2-1-1 network are educating and advocating on behalf of 2-1-1. We are calling upon New York State to include a total of $2.4 million in the FY 2023 budget for 2-1-1 New York. The 2-1-1 network is fully mobilized to meet new challenges by partnering with the state and local governments to better address the extraordinary demand for information on the downstream effects of an immediate public health crisis and financial downfall, including food, housing, daycare and on-going assistance with government benefits (unemployment, SNAP, etc.). We must ensure that this system is maintained not if, but unfortunately when, the next disaster strikes.

 

HOW YOU CAN ADVOCATE

Use your voice to advocate for the 2-1-1 network and for those who need most.

 

USE YOUR NETWORK

Ways to use your Twitter, Instagram and Facebook as great advocacy tools.

 

SPEAK OUT

Use these templates to reach out to your elected officials to keep 2-1-1 in New York State funding.

      WHO REPRESENTS ME IN NYS?

            FIND YOUR NYS REPRESENTATIVE

            FIND YOUR NYS SENATOR

 

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Here are some quick FAQ's about 2-1-1 and how you can best answer these questions. 

 

 

phoneClient Stories

 

NASSAU COUNTY RESIDENT

Struggling to pay her bills after losing her job, a 60-year-old homeowner of Woodmere, Nassau County called 211, asking for information about HEAP (Home Energy Assistance Program). She wasn’t sure she would be eligible because she owned her home. The 211-representative advised her that she may in fact be eligible for HEAP, as well as SNAP (Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program). The resident informed the representative that she was also part of PSEG’s level payment program but was suddenly given a $2,000 bill. The representative then connected the caller to a PSEG advocate to fix the billing issue. The representative also connected the caller with Project Warmth in the instance that she was not eligible for HEAP. The 211 representative was able to meet the needs of the caller by providing her with the resources and connections she needed where she was, in real time. The Nassau resident was grateful for the help, advice and referrals she was given.

 

SUFFOLK COUNTY RESIDENT

A Mastic Beach 60-year-old resident and LPN called 211 because she was struggling financially. She works per diem and couldn’t afford the health insurance her company offered. After being hospitalized for COPD, she had a $69,000 hospital bill. She was one month behind with her rent, had her electric shut off, and is expecting another hospital bill to come in soon. The Suffolk County caller had applied for HEAP but was told to “be patient and wait for a decision.” The resident was out of oil and needed guidance about health insurance coverage. The 211-representative advised the caller to apply for Project Warmth if HEAP did not come through. She also connected the caller with DSS for a one-time basis rent assistance. The caller was also advised to discuss short-term disability with her employer, with the understanding that she may not be eligible as a per-diem employee. Over the course of the conversation, the 211-representative realized the Mastic Beach resident had many unmet needs and provided the resources the caller would need to address them.