New York, NY —

311 will no longer just field complaints about noise, trash and potholes. The city wants to expand the hotline so that poor new yorkers can use it to reach the vast network of social services agencies that exist in the city. WNYC'S Cindy Rodriguez reports.

REPORTER: It will take about a year to implement the plan but once it's up and running, social service operators will field calls and make referrals for everything from foodstamps to home health aids for the elderly. The United Way will provide the operators. Lawrence Mandell, the non-profit's President says mother's returning to work can use 311 to find childcare.

MANDELL: Or if you have a disabled child and you're looking for specialized services, you don't know where to begin. Here through one phone call you'll be able to negotiate a very complex system.

REPORTER: Mandell estimates 100 operators will answer these calls. The hotline is expected to run 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The city will invest about $22 million in the program. The mayor says the money was already allotted for in the most recent budget. FOR WNYC: I'm Cindy Rodriguez.