Cortland County
Ask about Cortland County
Ask in your own words. We look up programs and offices for Cortland County and tell you where to go next.
Local offices in Cortland County
We found these on official websites. Call before you go, since hours and places can change.
Human services · County office
Cortland County Department of Social Services
60 Central Avenue, Cortland, NY 13045
Help here
- Benefits and family supportApply for public assistance, SNAP, Medicaid, HEAP, child care help, and employment services.
- Child supportGet help with child support services and enforcement.
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on cortlandcountyny.gov
Housing authority · Regional office
Cortland Housing Authority
42 Church Street, Cortland, NY 13045
Help here
- Public housingApply for affordable apartments managed by the Cortland Housing Authority.Apply online
- Housing Choice VoucherAsk about rental help through the Housing Choice Voucher program.Apply online
Checked on October 9, 2026 · Found on cortlandha.com
Public health · County office
Cortland County Health Department
60 Central Avenue, Cortland, NY 13045
Help here
- Public health servicesGet help with public health programs, nursing services, health education, and environmental health concerns.
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on cortlandcountyny.gov
Mental health and recovery · County office
Cortland County Mental Health Department
111 Port Watson Street, Cortland, NY 13045
Help here
- Mental health clinicContact the county clinic for mental health care and help connecting to community supports.
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on cortlandcountyny.gov
Local office · Regional office
211 Cortland
Help here
- Community information and referralCall 211 for free help finding local health and social services.
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on 211cortland.org
Courts and legal help · State office
Louis H. Folmer Supreme Court Library
46 Greenbush Street, Room 100, Cortland, NY 13045
Help here
- Legal research resourcesUse legal reference materials, public computers, and librarian help to research legal questions.
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on nycourts.gov
Older adults · County office
Cortland County Office for Aging
60 Central Avenue, Cortland, NY 13045
Help here
- Aging services and referralsGet information about services and benefits for older adults and help finding long-term care support.
- Meals and nutritionAsk about home-delivered meals, senior meals, and nutrition support.Read more
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on cortlandcountyny.gov
Veterans · County office
Cortland County Veterans Services
60 Central Avenue, Cortland, NY 13045
Help here
- Veterans benefits helpGet help understanding, preparing, and following up on veterans benefit claims.Read more
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on cortlandcountyny.gov
Emergency help · County office
Cortland County Emergency Response and Communications
22 West Court Street, Cortland, NY 13045
Help here
- Emergency preparedness and response informationFind county information about preparing for and responding to local emergencies.Read more
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on cortlandcountyny.gov
Jobs and training · State office
Cortland Works Career Center
99 Main Street, Cortland, NY 13045
Help here
- Job search and career servicesGet help looking for work and using career services at the center.Apply online
Checked on October 9, 2026 · Found on dol.ny.gov
State office · State office
Cortland County Department of Motor Vehicles
112 River Street, Cortland, NY 13045
Help here
- Motor vehicle and driver servicesVisit for driver license, permit, identification, and vehicle registration services.
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on cortlandcountyny.gov
Library · Regional office
Finger Lakes Library System
1300 Dryden Road, Ithaca, NY 14850
Help here
- Library system servicesFind library resources and services through the system serving public libraries in Cayuga County and nearby counties.
Checked on October 8, 2026 · Found on flls.org
Cortland County, New York website
Checked on October 8, 2026
Nonprofits that serve Cortland 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 Central New York
7066 Interstate Island Road, Syracuse, NY 13209
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 Aid Society of Mid-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
Cortland County Community Action Program, Inc.
32 N. Main Street, Cortland, NY 13045-2698
Listed on dos.ny.gov, checked on October 9, 2026
Cities and towns in Cortland 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.
- GoodsClothing, diapers, furniture, a phone and other things for home.
- TransitBus fares, rides and getting to appointments.
- 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.
- LegalFree legal help, and help staying safe.
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 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