2-1-1 Inquiries Top Three Million in 2010

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ALBANY, NY (02/10/2011)(readMedia)-- In observance of National 2-1-1 Day on Friday, February 11, the leadership of 2-1-1 New York is proud to announce that inquiries to 2-1-1 call centers across New York State totaled over 3.1 million in 2010 – a 12% increase over 2009. The largest number of requests for help fell into the following categories:
  • 26% - Consumer services including those dealing with family financial services counseling, and how to obtain free tax preparation and the state and federal Earned Income Tax Credit.
  • 20% - Basic needs including over 141,000 inquiries for food and meal sites and over 635,000 inquiries for help with housing and utility needs. Other needs in this category include help finding temporary financial assistance for those with low or fixed incomes, like senior citizens and persons with disabilities.
  • 13% - Income support and employment – help in obtaining a job, enrolling for public assistance, and ensuring that older adults, retirees and persons with disabilities get the public benefits they are entitled to.

    • Liz Hood, the chair of the Board of Directors for 2-1-1 New York stated, "This year end report confirms the importance of having a free, easily remembered telephone number for people to call when they need help. With one call they reach a well trained specialist who has access to a regional database of public and not for profit services. This increase in inquiries over last year is no doubt a reflection of tough economic times which have forced families that never needed help before to look for assistance."

    "We are very proud of our regional call centers and partner sites and their leaders, who have worked tirelessly for the past 10 years to develop services across New York. Today 90% of the state's citizens can call 2-1-1. Call specialists have the ability to respond to requests for help in over 150 languages, so important in a state with New York's diversity."

    2-1-1 not only helps people get answers to everyday needs, it has been an invaluable help to local governments during the state's emergencies like floods, snow and ice storms, and the flu outbreak. By taking non-emergency calls during these incidents, 2-1-1 relieves the burden on 911 which allows them to focus on true emergency needs.

    In addition to call centers, 2-1-1 maintains on-line regional databases of services to give people the option to search for help on the Internet as well.

    Most importantly, the specialized services available from 2-1-1 call centers can help families prevent eviction and forestall mortgage foreclosure, saving local governments money and preserving their tax base. 2-1-1 is also a significant link in helping working families obtain their state and federal earned income tax credits at free tax preparation sites.

    Ms Hood noted, "While this is a time for celebrating success, we will need New York State to once again partner with United Ways, local governments and other private funders to support 2-1-1. We urge the Governor and the Legislature to consolidate many of the state's own hotlines and use the resulting telephone cost savings to invest in 2-1-1".