Tompkins County
Ask about Tompkins County
Ask in your own words. We look up programs and offices for Tompkins County and tell you where to go next.
Local offices in Tompkins County
We found these on official websites. Call before you go, since hours and places can change.
Human services · County office
Tompkins County Department of Social Services
320 W Martin Luther King Jr./State St., Ithaca, NY 14850
Help here
- Benefits and family servicesApply for SNAP, cash assistance, Medicaid, child care help, and other support for families and individuals.Apply online
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on tompkinscountyny.gov
Child support · County office
Tompkins County Child Support Services
320 W Martin Luther King Jr./State St., Ithaca, NY 14850
Help here
- Child support servicesGet help establishing parentage, setting up child support orders, and collecting or paying support.Apply online
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on tompkinscountyny.gov
Housing help · Regional office
Ithaca Housing Authority
800 S Plain St., Ithaca, NY 14850
Help here
- Affordable housingApply for public housing or housing vouchers and get help with housing programs.Apply online
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on ithacaha.com
Public health · County office
Tompkins County Whole Health
55 Brown Rd., Ithaca, NY 14850
Help here
- Public health servicesGet public health services and information for you and your family.
- WICEligible pregnant people, new parents, infants, and children under five can get food benefits, nutrition education, and breastfeeding support.Read more
- Mental health servicesFind county mental health care and support services.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on tompkinscountyny.gov
Older adults · County office
Tompkins County Office for the Aging
31 Dutch Mill Rd., Ithaca, NY 14850
Help here
- Aging and caregiver supportGet information, referrals, and support to help older adults and caregivers live well at home and in the community.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on tompkinscountyny.gov
Veterans · County office
Tompkins County Department of Veterans Services
111 N Albany St., Ithaca, NY 14850
Help here
- Veterans benefits assistanceGet help understanding and applying for veterans benefits and services.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on tompkinscountyny.gov
Emergency help · County office
Tompkins County Department of Emergency Response
92 Brown Rd., Ithaca, NY 14850
Help here
- Emergency preparedness informationFind information to help you prepare for emergencies and disasters.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on tompkinscountyny.gov
Local office · Regional office
211 Tompkins Cortland
Help here
- Information and referralCall or search online to find local help with needs such as food, housing, health care, and jobs.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on hsctc.org
Jobs and training · State office
Tompkins Workforce New York Career Center
171 E State St., Suite 241, Ithaca, NY 14850
Help here
- Job search and workforce servicesGet help finding a job, building skills, or connecting with employment services.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on dol.ny.gov
State office
Tompkins County Department of Motor Vehicles
301 Third St., Ithaca, NY 14850
Help here
- Driver licenses and vehicle servicesApply for or renew a driver license or non-driver ID, and register or title a vehicle.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on tompkinscountyny.gov
Library · County office
Tompkins County Public Library
101 E Green St., Ithaca, NY 14850
Help here
- Library servicesUse library materials, computers, and reference help for learning and research.Read more
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on tcpl.org
Checked on October 8, 2026
Nonprofits that serve Tompkins County
Each one serves this area. Call before you go, since services and hours change.
Food bank
Food banks supply the food pantries and meal sites near you. Call or check the website to find one close by.
Nonprofit
Food Bank of the Southern Tier
388 Upper Oakwood Avenue, Elmira, NY 14903
Listed on feedingamerica.org, checked on October 10, 2026
Free legal help
Free help with civil legal problems, like eviction, benefits and family law, for people with low incomes. Funded by the Legal Services Corporation.
Nonprofit
Legal Assistance of Western New York, Inc.
Listed on lsc.gov, checked on October 10, 2026
Community action
Local nonprofits that help people with low incomes. Many help with energy bills, rent, jobs and taxes. Call to ask what they offer now.
Nonprofit
Tompkins Community Action, Inc.
701 Spencer Road, Ithaca, NY 14850-9999
Listed on dos.ny.gov, checked on October 9, 2026
Cities and towns in Tompkins County
New York programs by kind of help
These are run by New York and work the same everywhere in the state. Each page lists the programs and how to apply.
- FoodFood benefits, WIC, school meals and food banks.
- HousingRent help, shelter, and help with heat and power bills.
- HealthHealth coverage, Medicare, mental health care and help with drug costs.
- MoneyCash help, disability, retirement and veterans payments, and tax help.
- CareChild care, help for older adults and disability support.
- EducationHelp paying for college and training, and free preschool.
- WorkJobs, unemployment, and the IDs and papers you need for work.
- Legal helpFree legal help with eviction, family law, benefits and more.
- SafetyHelp with abuse at home, a safe place to stay, and crisis lines.
Checked on October 8, 2026
Federal help anyone can use
These come from the federal government, so they work the same in every state.
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
Social Security Administration. Monthly payments for people with little income and few resources who are 65 or older, blind, or have a disability, including children.
Call 1-800-772-1213 - Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)
Social Security Administration. Monthly payments for people who worked and paid Social Security taxes and now cannot work because of a disability that will last a long time.
Call 1-800-772-1213 - Social Security retirement benefits
Social Security Administration. Monthly payments for people who worked and paid Social Security taxes, starting as early as 62. Spouses and widows may also get benefits.
Call 1-800-772-1213 - Medicare
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Health insurance for people 65 or older and for some younger people with a disability or kidney failure.
Call 1-800-633-4227 - Extra Help with Medicare drug costs
Social Security Administration. Help paying for Medicare prescription drug plans for people with limited income and resources.
Call 1-800-772-1213 - VA health care
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Health care at VA clinics and hospitals for veterans who served in the active military and did not get a dishonorable discharge.
Call 1-877-222-8387 - VA disability compensation and benefits
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Monthly payments for veterans with an illness or injury caused or made worse by military service, plus education, home loan and other benefits.
Call 1-800-827-1000 - FAFSA, the federal student aid form
U.S. Department of Education. One free form that opens federal grants, work-study and loans for college or trade school. Many states and schools use it for their own aid too.
Call 1-800-433-3243 - Federal Pell Grant
U.S. Department of Education. Money for college or trade school that usually does not have to be paid back, for students with financial need.
Call 1-800-433-3243 - Lifeline phone and internet discount
Federal Communications Commission. A monthly discount on phone or internet service for households with low income or who get benefits like SNAP, Medicaid or SSI.
Call 1-800-234-9473 - Head Start and Early Head Start
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Free preschool, child care and family support for young children from birth to age 5 in families with low income, run by local programs.
Call 1-866-763-6481 - IRS Free File
Internal Revenue Service. File your federal tax return online for free with tax software offered through the IRS, if your income is under the year's limit.
- VITA and TCE free tax help
Internal Revenue Service. IRS-certified volunteers prepare and file your taxes for free, in person, for people with low or moderate income, older adults and people with disabilities.
Call 1-800-906-9887 - Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC)
Internal Revenue Service. A federal tax credit for people who work and earn low to moderate income. It can mean a bigger refund, even if you owe no tax.
Call 1-800-829-1040 - Housing Choice Vouchers (Section 8)
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Help paying rent in a home you choose, for families with very low income, older adults and people with disabilities. Local housing authorities run it, and many have waiting lists.
- Replace a Social Security card
Social Security Administration. Get a free replacement Social Security card if yours was lost, stolen or damaged. Many people can ask online.
Call 1-800-772-1213 - FEMA disaster assistance
Federal Emergency Management Agency. Help with a place to stay, repairs and other needs after a disaster the President has declared in your area.
Call 1-800-621-3362
Checked on October 9, 2026
Talk to a person
- 211 Tompkins Cortland
Free help finding food, housing, bills and more near you.
Call 877-211-8667 - 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
Call or text 988 if you are in crisis or worried about someone. Any time.
Call 988Text 988