Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP)
The ACP is a Federal Communications Commission (FCC) program that helps connect families and households struggling to afford internet service.
The Benefit provides:
Up to a $30/month discount for internet service.
Up to $75/month discount for households on qualifying Tribal Lands.
A one-time discount of up to$100 for a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet purchased through a participating provider.
- Online Account and Application Record . An Excel spreadsheet to record online account information and to write progress notes
- Cover letter sample . A PDF that shows what an ideal cover letter looks like
- Resume sample . A PDF that shows what an ideal resume looks like
- Resume template . A Word document that you can fill in to create a resume
- Resume key words . A PDF that provides key words to use on resumes and in cover letters for different jobs
- Resume worksheet . A Word document that can be printed and given to a customer before you start to create a resume
Unemployment Resources
- NYS Dept of Labor account sign in, job information, job listings
- Unemployment Insurance (NYS Labor Dept) claim or certify benefits
- ID.me Unemployment verification
Local Employers
- Wegmans
- Rochester City School District
- Rochester Regional Health
- University of Rochester
- MCC Career Services
- Rochester Works Job Board/Job Fairs
- Rochester Works Workshops and Recruiting Events
Career Boards
The SUNY EOCs are a system of educational enterprises that serve eligible adult learners.
As part of this system, the Rochester Educational Opportunity Center will deliver comprehensive, community-based academic and workforce development programs and provide support services leading to enhanced employment opportunities, access to further education, personal growth and development.
REOC provides:
- High School Equivalency
- College Prep
- English for speakers of other languages
- Occupational Trades
- Early Childhood Development training and certification
- Business & IT training and certification
- Healthcare training and certification
ABC
400 West Ave
Rochester, NY 14611
585-325-5116
Action for a Better Community is a Community Action Agency that promotes and provides opportunities for low-income individuals and families to become self-sufficient.
ABC Programs:
- Action Front Center
- Bridges 2 Success
- Community Building in Action
- Employment Retention Investment Curriculum
- Energy Conservation Program
- Head Start & Early Head Start
- Health Career Programs
- High Impact Prevention Services for Youth
- High School Equivalency Prep
- Housing Grant Repair & Rehab Intake
- Office of New Americans
- Strategies to Success
- Strengthening Working Families Initiative
- Summer Youth Employment
- Training in Employment and Soft Skills
ABC
Adult Education
Monroeone
41 O’Connor Road
Fairport, NY 14450
585-387-3815
Monroeone provides:
- English for speakers of other languages
- High School Equivalency (HSE)/TASC Test Prep
- Adult Career Training at EMCC (Eastern Monroe Career Center)
OACES
30 Hart Street
Rochester, NY 14605
(585) IMPROVE (585-467-7683)
https://oaces.net
Earn your high school diploma. Prepare for post-secondary education. Train for a career.
Do what you need to succeed and live the life you want.
OACES provides:
- Adult education classes
- High School Equivalency (HSE) exam preparation and testing
- Career and technical training
- English classes for speakers of other languages
- Job placement assistance
- And more!
Center for Workforce Development Adult Education
The Center for Workforce Development (CWD) at Monroe 2-Orleans BOCES provides a variety of industry-aligned educational solutions to prepare you for the 21st century workforce.
- Career and Technical education programs
- High school equivalency diploma
- English classes for speakers of other languages
- Job placement assistance
- And more!
RHCSD
2034 Lehigh Station Rd
Henrietta, NY 14467
585-359-5000
The Rush-Henrietta Adult Literacy Program offers English as a Second Language classes for adults 21 and older at the beginning, intermediate, and advanced levels. Classes are taught by a New York state-certified teacher and offered during the day and evening. Students must be eligible for employment and/or seeking higher-level education to qualify. There is a $20 non-refundable registration fee. Classes are free of charge.
Classes take place at the Good Shepherd building, 3288 East Henrietta Road, Henrietta, NY 14467. Classes are held from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, and from 6 to 9 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays.
For more information and to schedule a registration appointment, call Pat Hantzis, program assistant, at 359-7918, or e-mail phantzis@rhnet.org.
1000 East Henrietta Road
Rochester, New York 14623
Phone: 585.292.2000
Monroecc.edu
Monroe Community College is a public community college in Monroe County, New York. It is part of the State University of New York. The college has two campuses; the main campus in the town of Brighton, and the Downtown Campus in the City of Rochester. The college also has off-site learning at the Applied Technologies Center, Monroe County Public Safety Training Facility and online
- NYS Dept of Motor Vehicles permit or license, car registration, driving regulations
- RGE gas and electric company.
- Spectrum Television, phone, and internet service provider.
- Greenlight Networks Internet service provider
- Frontier Communications Internet, phone and TV service provider
- Rochester Housing Authority public housing application
- Internal Revenue Service tax information, account sign in, file federal returns
- NYS Dept. of Taxation & Finance tax information, file state returns
Email is an old technology and it is inherently flawed. Consider following these guidelines to make yourself and your personal information more secure. General Recommendations: Passwords: there are two ways to create an email password: 1) use a combination of lower and uppercase characters, special characters (&^%) and numbers; or 2) create a long passphrase (grandmawasbornin1901) Two email accounts: consider using one email account for family/friends, and another account for all business transactions. Why? Some companies will sell your data, and having a second account limits your exposure Security Do’s: 1) if you suspect that your account with a business has been compromised, change your email password immediately; 2) change your password from time to time; 3) apply all software updates to your device Security Don’ts: 1) don’t send sensitive information by email; 2) don’t store sensitive information in cloud services like Evernote and Dropbox; 3) don’t ever give out personal information in response to an email. Call the sender to verify the email. Consider: using Gmail for your email account(s). It is less susceptible to spam and phishing than yahoo, Hotmail, Frontier, and AOL. Spam Definition: Spam is simply unsolicited email sent to a large number of recipients. For example, you book a hotel through hotels.com and suddenly you’re receiving email promotions from hotels.com Remedy: 1) unsubscribe to company emails (at the bottom of the email you’ll find the unsubscribe function in small print); 2) when you create accounts online, look for settings that allow you to regulate the emails you receive; 3) report the email as spam (you’re email provider will have an easy way to do this); 4) delete emails in your spam/junk folder. Remember first to review all emails in the folder, since some legitimate emails will end up there. When in doubt, report and delete. Phishing Definition: The fraudulent practice of sending emails purporting to be from a reputable company in order to induce individuals to reveal personal information, such as password and credit card numbers. Phishing emails will try to sell you something or gain access to your personal information. Sometimes, the phishing email appears to be from someone you know or from a company you’re doing business with. Remedy: 1) always check the email address of the sender. If it is unfamiliar, then it is likely spam or phishing; 2) never click on a link or attachment in a suspicious email; 3) use your email provider to report phishing; 4) text or call the individual or company listed as sender to verify the email is legitimate. Do not forward the email before verifying that it is legitimate Carefully Look at the Address bar and URL Check the Contact Page Review the Company’s Social Media Presence Double Check The Domain Name Look Up the Domain Age Watch for Poor Grammar and Spelling Walk Away If It’s Too Good to be True Do Your Research Learn touch typing online using TypingClub’s free typing courses. Ways to Check if a Website is Legit or Trying to Scam You
TypingClub is the most effective way to learn how to type.
It includes 650 typing games .
Keep practicing each lesson until you get all five stars.
Lifeline provides up to a $9.25 monthly discount on service for eligible low-income subscribers and up to $34.25 per month for those on Tribal lands.
Subscribers may receive a Lifeline discount on either a wireline or a wireless service, but they may not receive a discount on both services at the same time.
Lifeline also supports broadband Internet service and broadband-voice bundles. FCC rules prohibit more than one Lifeline service per household.
Lifeline is available to eligible low-income consumers in every state, commonwealth, territory, and on Tribal lands.
The Lifeline program is administered by the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC). USAC is responsible for helping consumers apply for the program, understand eligibility requirements, and keep their benefit current through an annual recertification process.
USAC’s website provides additional information regarding the program, including program requirements.
To participate in the Lifeline program, consumers must either have an income that is at or below 135% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines or participate in certain federal assistance programs, such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Medicaid, Federal Public Housing Assistance, Supplemental Security Income, the Veterans and Survivors Pension Benefit, or certain Tribal Programs.
You can see if you are eligible by reviewing the information available at lifelinesupport.org (click “Do I Qualify?”).
Lifeline partners:
SafeLink Wireless
Assurance Wireless
QLink Wireless
Standup Wireless
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is the largest federal nutrition assistance program. SNAP provides benefits to eligible low-income individuals and families via an Electronic Benefits Transfer card. This card can be used like a debit card to purchase eligible food in authorized retail food stores.
Eligibility is based of your Gross monthly income — that is, household income before any of the program’s deductions are applied — generally must be at or below 130 percent of the poverty line.
Applicants must live in the state in which they apply and meet certain bank balance limits. A household with an elderly (over 60) or disabled household member may have a higher bank balance limit.
You can apply online at Mybenefits.ny.gov, Download an application and mail to/drop off at 691 St. Paul St. Rochester, NY 14605, Call 585-753-6960 to have an application mailed to you, or you can pick up an application at 691 St. Paul St. Rochester, NY 14605.
If everyone applying is over 60 years old and/or disabled, you can use this new simplified application and mail to/drop off at 691 St Paul St. Rochester, NY 14605.
When the application is submitted, you will be screened for expedited benefits and, if eligible, the benefit will be issued within five business days. You will be contacted by phone for the screening interview, if applicable, and mailed an appointment for a SNAP telephone interview. You will not need to be seen in person.
Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP)
HEAP 2022-2023 Regular HEAP benefit is scheduled to open on November 1st, 2022.
A federally funded program that assists low-income households in meeting the high costs of home heating. (heating supply can be natural gas, electric, oil, coal, propane, wood pellets, corn, or kerosene)
If you are eligible, you may receive one regular HEAP benefit per program year and could also be eligible for emergency HEAP benefits if you are in danger of running out of fuel or having your utility service shut off.
Eligibility and benefits are based on income, household size, the primary heating source, and the presence of a household member who is under age 6, age 60 or older or permanently disabled.
Benefits are given directly to the energy supplier not the recipient.
Your household may be eligible for a Regular benefit if:
A member of your household is a United States Citizen or qualified alien
Your household’s gross monthly income is at or below the current income guides for your household size
You receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits
You receive Temporary Assistance
You receive Code A Supplemental Security Income (SSI Living Alone)
How to apply for Regular Benefits
Online:
at myBenefits.ny.gov
By phone:
(585)753-6209 or (585)753-6477
In-person:
You may apply in person at your HEAP Local District Contact.
In writing:
Print and mail the completed HEAP application
The 2022-2023 Emergency HEAP benefit is scheduled to open on January 3rd, 2023.
- Eligibility is based on income, available resources, and the type of emergency
Heating Equipment Repair and Replacement
The 2022-2023 Heating Equipment Repair and Replacement benefit opened October 3rd, 2022.
- If you are a homeowner and eligible, the Heating Equipment Repair and Replacement benefit can help you repair or replace your furnace, boiler and other direct heating equipment necessary to keep your home’s primary heating source working.
- Benefit amounts are based on the actual cost incurred to repair or replace your furnace, boiler, and/or other essential heating equipment, $4,000 for a repair and $8,000 for a replacement.
- You may call your HEAP Local District Contact to apply. An eligibility interview is required for all HERR applications, but may be completed with applicants in person or by telephone. Your local district contact will decide if you meet all the eligibility conditions, including the income and resource requirements. The district will provide more information on how to submit the application and required documentation.
HEAP Regular Arrears Supplement (RAS) information
Households may apply for HEAP Regular Arrears Supplement (RAS) benefits through Monroe County Department of Human Services by: Phone (585)753-6209 or (585)753-6477, In person at 111 Westfall Road during normal business hours
Clean and Tune Benefit
The 2022-2023 HEAP Clean and Tune benefit opened on October 3, 2022.
- Eligible households can receive energy efficiency services, which includes the cleaning of primary heating equipment, but may also include chimney cleaning, minor repairs, installation of carbon monoxide detectors or programmable thermostats, if needed, to allow for the safe, proper and efficient operation of the heating equipment. Benefit amounts are based on the actual cost incurred to provide clean and tune services, up to a maximum of $500. No additional HEAP cash benefits are available.
- Your household eligibility requirements include filing out a Clean and Tune benefit application with your local department of social services, providing all necessary documentation, and the household must reside in an eligible living situation.
Cooling Assistance Benefit
The 2022-2023 Cooling Assistance benefit is scheduled to open May 1, 2023
- If you are eligible, you may receive one Cooling Assistance benefit per applicant household for the purchase and installation of an air conditioner or a fan to help your home stay cool.
- In circumstances where an air conditioner cannot be safely installed, a fan will be provided.
- Only one air conditioner or fan, not to exceed $800 with installation for a window, portable air conditioner, or fan and not to exceed $1,000 for an existing wall sleeve unit, will be provided per applicant household. No additional HEAP cash benefits are available.
The Housing Choice Voucher (Formerly Section 8) Program is a federally-funded HUD program which subsidizes the rents of eligible low-income households.
Assistance is tenant-based. This means families can live in a qualifying rental unit of their choosing anywhere within the RHA jurisdiction or, if the family is eligible, they are able to “port” their voucher and move anywhere in the country.
For a unit to qualify for the program, the rent must be reasonable in comparison to other similar unassisted units in the area. The unit must also pass a Housing Quality Standards (HQS) inspection and maintain HQS standards throughout the term of the contract with RHA.
The family will typically pay 30 to 40% of their monthly income for shelter (rent plus utilities). RHA will enter a Housing Assistance Payments (HAP) Contract with the owner to pay the remaining balance.
Applicants on the Rochester Housing Authority Housing Choice Voucher Tenant-Based waitlist.
Eligibility for a housing voucher is determined by RHA and is based on the total annual gross income and family size. Eligible families cannot exceed the 50% of the median income for the Rochester area.
Eligible families must be US citizens and specified categories of non-citizens who have eligible immigration status. RHA will also examine the criminal background and prior Housing Choice Voucher history of any adult member of the household.
The Housing Choice Voucher tenant-based waiting list is currently closed and NOT accepting applications.
The Low Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP) helps low income households pay the cost of drinking water and wastewater services.
The program can assist households who have past due bills (arrears) for drinking water and/or wastewater services.
LIHWAP can help prevent your drinking water and wastewater services from being shut off.
LIHWAP is a benefit based on the actual amount of water and/or sewer arrears, up to a maximum of $2,500 per water or sewer provider, or $5,000 if water and sewer services are combined, per applicant household. Benefits are paid directly to the household’s water and/or sewer vendor(s).
Eligibility is based on Income, Household, and amount owed.
Catholic Charities Family and Community Services provides housing, employment, and coordination of care to help people of all ages and all walks of life live independently with dignity while facing the challenges of addiction, aging, mental illness, HIV, poverty, intellectual and developmental disabilities, and immigration.
Services
Behavioral Health
Coordinated Care and Support for People of all ages
Employment and Independence
Housing and Stabilization
Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities
Refugee & Immigration Services
Support for Families & Children
RochesterWorks offers free employment and workforce development services for every job seeker – the parent, the caregiver, the student, the veteran, the upstart, the entrepreneur.
Services
Grants
Training
Information
Support for Success in Todays Economy
Library Resource Outreach Center (LROC) is a collaboration between the Rochester Public Library and local human service agencies to offer services to the homeless, those in danger of becoming homeless, and those in need of access to the various resources listed below, without barriers.
• There are no eligibility standards for services
• No appointments necessary
• We work to eliminate or lessen barriers to other services
LROC is staffed by employees of Person Centered Housing Options, MC Collaborative, and Volunteer Legal Services as well as interns and volunteers.
LROC can connect patrons to services and resources, including:
• Housing
• Food
• Clothing
• Shelter
• Income
• Case management
• Medical care
• Legal assistance
• Employment
Central Library Hours & Contact
Tuesdays: 1pm-3pm
Wednesdays: 10am – 12pm
Thursdays: 1pm-3pm
Fridays: 1pm – 3pm
Phone: 585-428-8110
Email: libraryresourceoutreachcenter@gmail.com
LROC is located on the 3rd floor of the Bausch & Lomb Public Library Building of the Central Library of Rochester & Monroe County,
115 South Ave., Rochester, NY 14604
CASH offers free tax return preparation services to low-income workers including those eligible for the Earned Income Tax Credit [EITC].
They are not performing tax returns at this time, but we will resume tax prep services in January 2023, by appointment only. Appointment scheduling will also begin in January 2023. Check back to see when the appointment scheduler is open!
Prior-year tax returns (before 2022) will only be performed in March.
You can still free-file your own taxes until November 17th on the IRS website: www.irs.gov/freefile
If you have received a letter from the IRS, please call us at (585) 900-1004 to schedule an appointment to meet with one of our trained tax professionals. You must leave a voicemail in order to receive a return call.
In order to be eligible for CASH’s VITA services an individual must meet the following requirements:
1. Income of $58,000 or less with dependents or $27,000 without dependents;
2. Worked and lived only in New York State, but not in New York City;
3. No rental property income or sale of stocks/bonds;
4. If you are self-employed, you must report no loss, no employees, and business expenses under $35,000.
If they do not meet those requirements, they are ineligible for CASH’s VITA program, and we will not be able to assist them. They should not schedule an appointment on the site as it will block up a space for someone who is eligible.
Please note – only one appointment may be scheduled for each client. If multiple appointments are made all your appointments will be canceled without notice.
AARP Foundation Tax-Aide provides in-person and virtual tax assistance free of charge with a special focus on taxpayers who are over 50 or have low-to-moderate income. Tax-Aide volunteers are located nationwide and are trained and IRS-certified every year.
The Tax-Aide Site Locator Tool will be up and running again in time for the next tax season; please come back and visit us at that time.
Transferring Device Data
Move from Android to iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch -instructions from Apple on how to transfer data from an Android device to an iPhone
Move from iPhone to Android – instructions from Samsung on how to transfer data from an Android device to an iPhone
Android Resources
Samsung Support Page – a searchable page for operating all Samsung mobile devices, including set-up, basic operations, and advanced uses
Samsung User Manuals – provides links to the PDFs of all Samsung mobile device models, and provides instructions on how to access the user manual on your phone
iPhone Resources
iPhone User Guide – a searchable user guide on learning the basic of operating an iPhone
iPhone support page – a page of various weblinks for different iPhone uses including how to back up your data, managing your Apple ID, etc.
Apple’s iPhone Forum – a community forum for troubleshooting iPhone devices
iPad Resources
iPad User Guide – a searchable user guide on learning the basic of operating an iPad
iPad Support Page – a page of various weblinks for different iPhone uses including how to back up your data, managing your Apple ID, etc.
Apple’s iPad Forum – a community forum for troubleshooting iPad devices
Chromebook Resources
New to Chromebook– Switch to a Chromebook, Set up your Chromebook, Migrate from Cloud Print, Set up your printer, Chromebook security
Chromebook shortcuts – Chromebook keyboard shortcuts
Chromebook support – Chromebook help
Northstar Digital Literacy offers curriculum, testing, and skills certifications for Digital Literacy volunteers and customers.
The Northstar curriculum is aligned with the Minnesota Adult Basic Education Content Standards. Lesson plans are learner-centered and interactive. The lessons give learners multiple opportunities to build digital literacy skills through practice tasks and application of skills.
Lessons are independent of each other and are not required to be taught in sequence. They can be taught in order, or teachers may choose lessons for their class based on desired instruction for specific skills or standards.
Upon completion of each lesson, learners can take a Northstar Digital Literacy Skills Assessment, on online, interactive test that emulates the actual software or website they are likely to use. Passing these proctored assessments provides students with a certification, which can be included on resumes and job applications to supplement their learned skills.
Take a sample assessment with NorthStar Digital Literacy online
Contact us to get set up with a NorthStar Digital Literacy Account