Financial Assistance

SNAP

SNAP provides nutrition benefits to supplement the food budget of needy families so they can purchase healthy food and move towards self-sufficiency.

Catholic Charities can help you sign up for SNAP (the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, formerly known as Food Stamps.) At their Tompkins and Tioga offices, they offer:

Free and confidential pre-screenings in person or over the phone to help determine if you are eligible for SNAP
Assistance with filling out the SNAP application
Help understanding the documentation needed
Home visits for elderly and disabled people so they do not have to leave their homes to receive SNAP assistance

Housing Counseling Services

Catholic Charities’ provides housing counseling services, including the First Time Homebuyer Program:

Pre & Post Purchase Counseling for First Time Homebuyers in the City of Elmira
Mortgage Foreclosure Prevention in Chemung, Schuyler, Steuben, Tompkins & Tioga Counties
Financial Fitness Services
Adopter of the National Industry Standards for Homeownership
Education and Counseling
Member of HomeSmartNY, the leading coalition of homeownership advisors in New York State

Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP)

This is newly-launched Federal program provides low-income households with discounts of up to $30 a month for internet service as well as a one-time discount of up to $100 on the purchase of a computer or tablet.

For more information, see the informational flyer at this link or go ACPBenefit.org, where you can also apply or print out a mail-in application.

Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP)

This is a Federal program that helps low-income households meet the high costs of home energy.

Income and resource eligibility standards change annually.

A single annual benefit based on the household’s method of heating is provided. Emergency assistance is also available.

For help applying, contact one of the three HEAP contact offices in Tompkins County offices, or find your county’s location here.