Prescription assistance and health care programs

The Rural and Migrant Ministry of Oswego County, Inc. runs what is called the “Open Hands Clinic”. This is a health care clinic that provides free primary healthcare, prescription medications, dental services, and limited counseling services. Low income, people with no or limited health  insurance, and other struggling residents can use the services. They will on a limited basis pay for basic dental services. Dial 315-298-1154 to learn more about the medical services they offer. 315-343-6491

Individuals can get access to additional health care programs from the Oswego County Opportunities, Inc. This community action agency will offer health care services for the entire family. A highly trained professional staff of physicians, nurses, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, and other medical professionals all contribute to the health care program. The focus is on health maintenance and disease prevention. The non-profit organization can help with cancer items and diagnosis, medications, adult medicine, and more. Call (315) 598-4715 to schedule an appointment or learn more.

The Oswego County Opportunities Fund administers a total of over 50 assistance programs to local families. They can also refer people to programs, such as HEAP for energy bills, and rent assistance programs.

Financial assistance for rent, utilities, heating bills, food, and more in Oswego

Oswego County Department of Social Services - The government agency runs and administers Cash Assistance under the Family Assistance Program, offers health care and Medical Assistance, Information on Rent Programs, and Safety Net Assistance; Food Stamps, Home Energy Bill Assistance, Child and Adult Protective Services, Foster Care, Adoption Services, and Day/Child Day Care. Call 963-5000

• Temporary Assistance (Family Assistance or Safety Net Assistance) - A government created program, sometimes also called SNAP, the Temporary Assistance is a program to help qualified low to moderate income families or individuals to meet basic needs such as shelter, rent assistance and utility and heating bill payments. Program may provide a one-time cash payment to meet an emergency need or ongoing cash assistance to meet basic needs of local Oswego County residents. More.
• HEAP (Home Energy Assistance Program) - This is created by New York and federal government. There are regular and emergency benefits and grants paid out. These are one-time cash payments that are meant to offset the high cost of home heating bills and expenses during the heating season.

Call 963-5000 to apply for or learn about the Social Services.

 

 

If you need help paying rent, or homeless prevention assistance, call Oswego County Opportunities, Inc.. The Fulton based agency offers payments for rent, and runs a program known as the Homeless Intervention Program. It provides supportive services, cash grants, and counseling that is all designed to stabilize households by preventing homelessness, offering money to pay rent and expenses and by facilitating the
transition from homelessness to permanent housing for people who have been evicted. 342-7618

City of Fulton Community Development Agency (phone 593-7166) - A few services offered include Section 8 housing, weatherization, and home and housing repairs. Section 8 offers housing for low income families.

Oswego Food Banks and Pantries

Places to turn to for free food, or to apply for food stamps, include Catholic Charities, Fulton 593-8440, Sandy Creek/Lacona Community Cupboard 387-5323, North Shore Ecumenical Food Pantry 675-3144, as well as Our Lady of the Rosary, Hannibal 564-5356, Salvation Army Fulton 593-8442, Our Lady of the Rosary Hannibal 564-5201, Salvation Army Oswego 343-6491, St. Michael’s Church Central Square 440-1587.

Free legal aid

Two different organizations to call include the Free legal clinic, which can provide consultations on a wide range of legal matters. Qualified individuals will be referred to an attorney to represent them free of charge. 806-6164. Another firm is Legal Aid Society of Mid NY. This firm will help people with civil legal matters with an emphasis on housing issues and state as well as federal government matters. Provides free legal advice and representation in select cases to individuals whose Public Assistance, unemployment, SSI/SSD, Medicaid, Food Assistance and Stamps or HEAP has been denied, terminated or reduced. Prevents evictions and homelessness by defending tenants from eviction. Provides representation on tenants rights issues in public and subsidized housing, as well as representing low income and working poor clients in domestic violence issues, housing discrimination, and housing code enforcement cases. Click here for more on free legal aid, or call 342-2191

Medical and health care for free

A clinic that is available and offers no cost services is the Rural and Migrant Ministry. Phone 298-1154. The location serves as a free medical clinic as well as a and healthcare advocacy agency. The organization is non-denominational and all people, regardless of income or background, are welcome for medical care, prescriptions, and other aid.