Enacted SFY 2024-25 Budget Provides $2.4 million for 2-1-1 New York

Speaker Carl Heastie, Committee on Children and Families Chair Andrew Hevesi and Assemblymember Donna Lupardo announced the Enacted State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2024-25 Budget invests $2.4 million in 2-1-1 to continue providing millions of New Yorkers vital information on available services.

“This year’s budget continues our efforts to focus on New York’s families,” said Speaker Heastie. “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 them continue keeping families informed and connected.”

“2-1-1 is a vital service to millions of New Yorkers,” said Assemblymember Hevesi. “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.”

“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,” said Assemblymember Lupardo. “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 helped millions of New Yorkers connect with essential services across the state at no cost since 1999. In 2022, the Assembly Majority passed a bill to add the statewide director of 2-1-1 to the Disaster Preparedness Commission. This move ensured 2-1-1 services are integrated into the state’s disaster response to help New Yorkers get information they need during a state of emergency (A9526, Lupardo).

The restored 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.