HELPING LONG ISLANDERS IN NEED

Below are links that will allow you help those who work so hard to provide for our friends and neighbors: 

ISLAND HARVEST

SALVATION ARMY of Greater New York

UNITED WAY OF LONG ISLAND

LONG ISLAND CARES

CHARITY BEGINS AT HOME

TOYS FOR TOTS

FRIENDS OF KAREN

PRONTO

ADELANTE OF SUFFOLK COUNTY

THE FAMILY AND CHILDREN'S ASSOCIATION

NEWSDAY'S HELP-A-FAMILY PROGRAM

Smithtown Emergency Food Pantry - 631-265-7676
90 Edgewater Avenue, Smithtown

For a full listing of NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS, PLEASE CLICK HERE for reports from the Better Business Bureau

To seek information about a local charity,
please visit the Better Business Bureau serving the Long Island region

 The BBB WISE GIVING ALLIANCE offers guidance to donors on making informed giving decisions

IF YOU HAVE AN ORGANIZATION THAT YOU WOULD LIKE FEATURED ON THIS PAGE, PLEASE CLICK HERE TO SEND SENATOR FLANAGAN AN E-MAIL

If you or someone you know needs assistance, the links below will provide you access to government assistance programs:


FOOD AND FAMILY NEEDS

For assistance regarding help with the monthly grocery bills please click here for information on the Food Stamp program 

For information from New York State regarding programs that help provide food for pregnant or breast-feeding women, infants and children please click here 

For information from New York State regarding programs that help provide food served in child or adult day care and after school programs please click here 


ENERGY COSTS

HEAP (Home Energy Assistance Program) is a federally funded program that issues heating benefits to supplement a household’s annual energy cost. HEAP also offers an emergency benefit for households in a heat or heat related energy emergency. Additionally, HEAP offers a furnace repair and/or replacement benefit for households with inoperable heating equipment.

Please click here to find out if you are eligible for the HEAP program

The Weatherization Assistance Program assists income-eligible families and individuals by reducing their heating/cooling costs and improving the safety of their homes through energy efficiency measures. Energy efficiency measures performed through the program include air sealing (weatherstripping, caulking), wall and ceiling insulation, heating system improvements or replacement, efficiency improvements in lighting, hot water tank and pipe insulation, and refrigerator replacements with highly efficient Energy Star rated units. Both single-family and multi-family buildings are assisted. Household energy use reductions and resultant energy cost savings are significant, with an average savings in excess of 20%.


HOUSING ISSUES

The New York State Banking Help for Homeowners in Foreclosure

United States Department of Housing and Urban Development

Community Development Corporation of Long Island

The Long Island Housing Partnership and the New York State Senate Majority have partnered together to create the Homeownership and Economic Stabilization for Long Island Program (HELP Long Island) program.  This program was started with $25 million in state funding to assist Long Island businesses retain and recruit employees.

Many large and small businesses, including hospitals and universities are actively promoting the program to their employees and both the employer and the employee will benefit. Over 25 Long Island employers are currently participating in the "HELP" Program. Since its inception in June of 2007, four employees have purchased and moved into their homes.  Please click here for more information.

The New York State Affordable Housing Directory (AHD) is a resource designed to assist you in locating affordable rental housing and organizations that provide community-based housing assistance in the State of New York 

Keep the Dream is a new program offered by the State of New York Mortgage Agency (SONYMA) designed to help eligible New York households with certain high-risk mortgages avoid possible foreclosure. The program enables families with adjustable rate, interest-only or other unconventional mortgages to refinance with the help of SONYMA and obtain a 30-year or 40-year fixed-rate mortgage at competitive interest rates. The program will provide at risk households with affordable and predictable monthly payments for the full term of the mortgage and remove the threat of losing their home.


MEDICAL CARE

Medicaid is a program for New Yorkers who are unable to afford to pay for medical care.  Please click here for more information on this important program

Elderly Pharmaceutical Insurance Coverage (EPIC) Program is a New York State program that helps seniors pay for their prescription drugs


HEALTH INSURANCE

Click here for information from New York State regarding health insurance options for small businesses and individuals

Click here for information from New York State regarding health insurance for families and children

WHILE DONATING TO THOSE IN NEED IS A GREAT WAY TO CELEBRATE THE HOLIDAYS, ALWAYS BE CAREFUL WHEN GIVING MONEY

PLEASE FOLLOW THESE RULES REGARDING CHARITABLE DONATIONS:

DON’T be afraid to ask questions.
DON’T give to an organization you know nothing about.
DON’T let yourself be pressured into contributing.
DON’T feel obligated to give a contribution on the spot — you can always mail a contribution after receiving more information.
DON’T give because the solicitor gives you a " story." This approach is usually the sign of phony and unscrupulous operators.
DON’T be fooled by an impressive name or one that closely resembles the name of a respected or legitimate concern.
DON’T use your credit card to make a donation.

DO'S
DO ask to see identification for both the solicitor and the organization, including the organization’s registration number.
DO ask how much of your contribution goes toward the solicitor’s salary or commission.
DO ask how much of your contribution goes toward fund-raising and administrative expenses, including the salaries of the organization’ directors and employees.
DO ask for written literature, and read it ! ! !
DO ask how much the organization itself is to receive if they are selling a product or service.
DO ask whether your contribution may be tax deductible.
DO be suspicious of anyone who can not respond to your questions satisfactorily.

OFFICE OF NEW YORK STATE ATTORNEY GENERAL

The CHARITIES DIVISION OF THE NEW YORK STATE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE

New York State Department of Law Charities Bureau
120 Broadway
New York, New York 10271
(212) 416-8400

SUFFOLK COUNTY CONSUMER AFFAIRS CHARITABLE DONATIONS PAGE

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO GET A COPY OF "BEFORE YOU GIVE" FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT DONATING SAFELY TO CHARITIES, PLEASE CLICK HERE

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