NYC Gazette

New York State's Enacted State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2024-25 Budget includes a significant investment of $2.4 million in 2-1-1 to ensure that millions of New Yorkers continue to have access to vital information on available services. Speaker Carl Heastie, along with Committee on Children and Families Chair Andrew Hevesi and Assemblymember Donna Lupardo, announced this crucial funding.

Speaker Heastie expressed, “This year’s budget continues our efforts to focus on New York’s families. The 2-1-1 system has become essential to so many New Yorkers as a connection to the incredible services offered across the state. I’m proud that this funding will help expand their efforts to keep families informed and connected.”

Assemblymember Hevesi highlighted the importance of 2-1-1, stating, “2-1-1 is a vital service to millions of New Yorkers. With just a simple phone call, our families understand how to maximize their health benefits, where to find warming centers during the winter, which agency oversees which services and so much more. This funding will ensure 2-1-1 can continue providing for New Yorkers across our state.”

Assemblymember Lupardo emphasized the critical role of 2-1-1 in the community, stating, “With their around-the-clock information and referral services, 2-1-1 is an invaluable community asset and a central component to the state's emergency response plan. I sponsored legislation two years ago that placed the state director of 2-1-1 on the Disaster Preparedness Commission, underscoring the importance of 2-1-1 to the state’s planning and response operations. I am relieved that their funding was restored in the final budget agreement; the service they provide is too vital for us to do without.”

The 2-1-1 hotline has been assisting New Yorkers in accessing essential services across the state at no cost since 1999. The additional funding allocated in SFY 2024-25 will provide support to 2-1-1’s trained call response specialists as they deal with an expanded call volume. This investment underscores the commitment to ensuring that New Yorkers have access to crucial information and services when they need it most.