UTICA — United Way of the Mohawk Valley’s 211 hotline is experiencing challenges with the three-digit dialing of 2-1-1, impacting residents of Oneida, Herkimer, and Madison counties trying to connect with the free and confidential 24-hour information and referral service that connects people with health and human services support.

While the three-digit dialing of this service is currently unavailable, United Way officials say there are other ways the community can still connect to help with 211 by:

• Calling the full phone number: 1-844-342-5211;
• Searching directly on 211’s website: 211midyork.org; or via
• Text chat by texting your zip code to 898-211.

United Way officials go on to say the intricacies of the telecommunications systems in place for this hotline are complex. 211, like many other services, is vulnerable to technological issues. United Way MV leads this crucial service in these three counties. As soon as the problem was identified, the non-profit immediately acted and is currently working with its network and vendors to fix it as soon as possible, officials said.

As the non-profit works to fix the three-digit dial option, the full number may also see intermittent outages.

Having additional avenues to connect to help with 211 creates a way to meet people where they are comfortable when it comes to communication, officials said. Additionally, having alternative options for seeking help in place enables community members from all comfort levels with calling, texting, or online, to continue to connect to help, even if technological challenges arise with one.

Throughout 2022, trained call specialists connected more than 4,000 people in the Mohawk Valley to locally available services, including help with rent, food, utility bills, and health care, and more. The local 211 database includes more than 3,000 resources, officials said, making it by far the most comprehensive and powerful listing of services available to the community.