Syracuse
Ask about this
We answer from what this page says. For anything else, keep going in the full chat.
Answers are a guide, not a decision. In danger, call 911. In crisis, call or text 988. Your privacy
Local offices in Syracuse
We found these on official websites. Call before you go, since hours and places can change.
Housing help · Regional office
Syracuse Housing Authority
516 Burt Street, Syracuse, NY 13202
Help here
- Affordable housing and rental assistanceApply for public housing or rental assistance through Syracuse Housing Authority programs.Apply onlineRead more
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on syracusehousing.org
Utilities · City office
City Payment Center
233 East Washington Street, City Hall, Suite 122, Syracuse, NY 13202
Help here
- Pay city billsPay water bills and other city charges in person or online.Apply online
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on syr.gov
Utilities · City office
Water Finance Office
101 North Beech Street, Syracuse, NY 13210
Help here
- Water bill questions and payment plansContact the Water Finance Office about water bills or payment plans.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on syr.gov
Local office · Regional office
211 CNY
Help here
- Help finding local servicesCall 211 for free, confidential help finding health and community services in Jefferson County.Read more
Last checked October 9, 2026 · Found on 211cny.com
Older adults · City office
Armond Magnarelli Community Center
2308 Grant Boulevard, Syracuse, NY 13208
Help here
- Senior recreation programsOlder adults can visit for senior programs at the community center.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on syr.gov
Local office · City office
SYRCityline
Help here
- Report non-emergency city service problemsReport problems such as potholes, street lights, trash, or water leaks and check their status.Apply online
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on syr.gov
Jobs and training · State office
CNY Works
960 James Street, Syracuse, NY 13203
Help here
- Job search and career servicesGet help with job searches, career planning, and other employment services.
Last checked October 9, 2026 · Found on dol.ny.gov
State office
Syracuse District Office, New York State DMV
4671 Onondaga Boulevard, Syracuse, NY 13219
Help here
- Driver licensing and motor vehicle servicesVisit the district office for driver licensing and other motor vehicle services.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on dmv.ny.gov
Local office · City office
Syracuse City Hall
233 East Washington Street, Syracuse, NY 13202
Help here
- City services and resident helpContact City Hall to ask about city services or find the right city office.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on syr.gov
Parks and recreation · City office
Department of Parks, Recreation & Youth Programs
412 Spencer Street, Syracuse, NY 13204
Help here
- Parks and recreation programsFind parks, recreation activities, youth programs, and community center services.Apply online
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on syr.gov
Checked on October 8, 2026
Nonprofits that serve Syracuse
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
People's Equal Action and Community Effort, Inc.
217 South Salina Street, 2nd Floor, Syracuse, NY 13202
Listed on dos.ny.gov, checked on October 9, 2026
Job help near Syracuse
American Job Centers are free. They help you look for work, write a resume, find training and apply for unemployment benefits. You can ask for an interpreter.
American Job Center
CNY Works Incorporated
Also helps young people and people leaving jail or prison
1.3 miles away
960 James Street, Syracuse, NY 13203
Hours: M - F: 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Updated by CareerOneStop on October 8, 2026
Youth and reentry program
Syracuse/Onondaga County - Youth Bureau
For young people
0.5 miles away
421 Montgomery Street, 7th Floor, Syracuse, NY 13202
Unemployment benefits in New York
If you lost your job or your hours were cut, you may be able to get unemployment insurance. You apply with the state, and the state decides who qualifies.
Workforce board for this area
The workforce board plans the job and training programs here and funds the job centers. Go to a job center for help; call the board with questions about its programs.
Workforce board
Onodago County Workforce Investment Board
960 James Street, Syracuse, NY 13203
Workforce board
New York State Department of Labor
State Campus, Building 12, Room 450, Albany, NY 12240
Job center and program listings from CareerOneStop, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, and the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED). Checked on October 10, 2026.
Offices for all of Onondaga County
Syracuse is in Onondaga County. These county and state offices serve people there too.
Human services · County office
Onondaga County Department of Social Services – Economic Security
Help here
- Public assistance and food benefitsApply for SNAP, temporary assistance, and other eligible benefits.Apply online
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on onondaga.gov
Public health · County office
Onondaga County Health Department WIC Program
307 Gifford Street, Syracuse, NY 13204
Help here
- Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)Eligible families can get healthy foods, nutrition education, breastfeeding support, and referrals.Apply online
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on onondaga.gov
Child support · County office
Onondaga County Bureau of Child Support Services
421 Montgomery Street, 4th Floor, Syracuse, NY 13202
Help here
- Child support servicesGet help establishing parentage, obtaining child support, or enforcing a support order.Apply online
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on onondaga.gov
Public health · County office
Onondaga County Health Department
421 Montgomery Street, Syracuse, NY 13202
Help here
- Public health servicesGet information about county health programs, clinics, and prevention services.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on onondaga.gov
Mental health and recovery · County office
Onondaga County Mental Health Services
421 Montgomery Street, Syracuse, NY 13202
Help here
- Behavioral health service navigationFind information and referrals for mental health and substance use services in the county.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on onondaga.gov
Local office · Regional office
211 CNY
Help here
- Information and referralCall 211 any time to get free, confidential referrals to local services.
Last checked October 9, 2026 · Found on 211cny.com
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.
- 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.
- Legal helpFree legal help with eviction, family law, benefits and more.
- SafetyHelp with abuse at home, a safe place to stay, and crisis lines.
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 CNY
Free help finding food, housing, bills and more near you.
Call 211 - 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
Call or text 988 if you are in crisis or worried about someone. Any time.
Call 988Text 988