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Help with bills in Alameda County and Oakland CA.

Find financial assistance, including money for paying rent, electric bills, or other expenses in Oakland CA and Alameda County. The goal is to help low-income families and struggling people get back on track financially. Charities, churches as well as government organizations help individuals or families pay the bills and address basic needs. Get financial help near you in Oakland CA and Alameda County.

The organizations in the county and cities of Fremont, Oakland, Berkeley, and Hayward CA may also have free basic needs such as food, bus passes or gas vouchers, or clothes. This type of support is combined with grant money as well as tips on how to pay down debt. Whether it is money to help pay bills or some other support, the Alameda County organizations noted below help anyone in need. There are even programs in Alameda County for people to get free stuff - and that is in addition to the financial help.

Organizations that offer financial help with bills and crisis assistance in the Oakland CA area

The Alameda County - Oakland Community Action Partnership is a public-private agency that does its best to ensure that all citizens have fair and equal access to financial resources to help them through difficult times. The financial assistance is provided by their partners and not directly by community action. Call 888-886-9660 for information on resources.

  • Utility assistance - One option is the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). The federal government funded utility programs helps low-income families, seniors, the disabled and working poor with paying their energy bills.
     
  • Weatherization Program - This is another federal and state benefit that will help Oakland and Alameda County low income households save money on their utility bills. Free basic home repairs, with a focus on energy efficiency, are done.

 

 

 

  • Homeless, Foreclosure and Eviction Prevention - The Oakland Community Action Partnership provides information on housing assistance. The non-profit will try to provide rental and utility bill assistance, with their partners, to help stop homelessness.
     
  • Employment resources in Oakland California - The Oakland Community Action Agency helps people (1) find a job or (2) gain new skills. There are also resources to help people work from home, find gig jobs (or resources for gig workers), use technology to make money from a hobby, and other programs. Learn more, and find money making hobbies.

The phone number is 888-886-9660. Other emergency services and long term assistance is available in the community in partnership with AC-OCAP. Read more on Alameda County - Oakland Community Action Partnership assistance programs.

Salvation Army in Alameda County offers Oakland and Alameda County residents year round help. There is assistance for the homeless, immigrants, and working poor. Get funds for paying light or energy bills, free food, hot meals and more. They also provide low cost childcare, a homeless shelter for families, and camp in the summer.

  • In addition they run a holiday program that provides the low income and elderly with meals and free Christmas gifts. Kids in Alameda County can get free toys or gift cards too.
  • They also serve free meals from a soup kitchen , give out back to school supplies in Alameda County, and operate a low cost thrift store for furniture. The Salvation Army has many programs that give out free or low-cost items to people in need.

Some of the Salvation Army branches are in Concord, Berkeley, Hayward, and Tri-Cities. There are multiple sites, with the main office at 2794 Garden St, Oakland, CA 94601 Call 510-437-9437. To learn more about the social services, case management, and cash assistance offered find Salvation Army Alameda County assistance programs.

 

 

 

Critical Family Needs is a program run by Catholic Charities. The program provides struggling individuals with is a one-time cash assistance grant. Funding is limited, and the money can be provided only to a limited number of eligible families and individuals, including seniors. Note they do not help with PG&E or water bills.

  • The Alameda County and Oakland Catholic Charities runs foreclosure prevention programs. The charity can also refer people to other non-profit agencies or government programs. The provide one-on-one foreclosure counseling for those homeowners that facing a mortgage default. Various form of assistance is provided to borrowers. Click here to learn more about foreclosure assistance in California.
     
  • The cash assistance that is provided to those who are experiencing an emergency or short term crisis. While the Oakland CA and Fremont charity has limited resources, in general any money  can go towards electric bills, rent, and other needs. Some basic medical is arranged too.

The address is 433 Jefferson St, Oakland, CA 94607. Call (510) 768-3100. Learn more on Catholic Charities Oakland financial assistance programs.

Financial help Alameda County CASingle mothers in the Oakland CA community will get assistance, including from the government. Both state and federal benefit programs are available for housing, food, medical and more. There is free baby formula, vehicles to help single moms in Alameda County get to work, and other support. Both government grants will assist single moms as well as other social services. Locate government help for single moms with no income.

United Way of Oakland and the Bay Area is a resource. The non-profit organization helps coordinate resources for the region - whether it is charitable money to help pay bills to income filing tax help, free car giveaways, Sparkpoint Financial Literacy or something else, there are free services as noted here https://uwba.org/get-help/.

Season of Sharing is funding that is offered by a private non-profit organization that offers one-time crisis-based assistance for paying for housing costs as well as other bills. It is provided as a one-time, short term payment and will buy time for someone to regain long-term self-sufficiency.

  • While there are a number of conditions that need to be met by Alameda County applicants, it will pay for security deposits for households who are at risk of or have lost their house or apartment. This can include delinquent mortgage or rent payments, limited utility bill assistance, and other aid for people who are in immediate threat of shut-off. All cases are reviewed on case by case, and some proof of income is required among other factors. Oakland California based. Call 510-272-3700

 

 

 

 

 

 

Churches and faith based groups may assist the poor, migrants and people facing emergency. There are dozens of locations across Alameda County. Some offer financial support such as for paying rent or electric bills, but many others provide counseling, vouchers, and material goods.

  • A ministry at a church will help people of all backgrounds. There may be infant formula for single moms or housing for immigrants. Some sites even provide bus passes to use in Oakland for job interview or serve meals from kitchens. Or get free clothes, hygiene stuff, groceries and more. Continue with help from churches in Oakland.

Referrals from East Oakland Switchboard are offered. This is a social service agency that offers callers information. They can learn about local emergency food pantries or places that offer low income housing. The outreach services from the customer service staff are focused on residents that are most at risk, such as senior citizens and single parents with children. However, anyone can call for information on financial support or basic needs. Continue reading on Switchboard Oakland California.

Building Futures with Women and Children offers a program known as Emergency Solution Grant Program, or ESG. As funding permits it can help San Leandro and Alameda County residents. A main goal is to offer rent and housing for women, such as single moms. There is also free apartments for single moms that may be near you as well as in other northern CA communities.

  • It is offered for homeless prevention and can pay out financial assistance in partnership with the Mid-County Housing Resource Center. Dial  (510) 357-0205, (510) 924-3093 or 510-686-2332. The non-profit is at 1840 Fairway Dr, San Leandro, CA 94577.

Water bill help in Oakland CA is an option. Financial assistance may be offered for paying water bills. Programs can also help families conserve their water usage and therefore reduce the amount that they need to pay on their expenses. Read more Oakland California water bill assistance.

Alameda County rental and housing solutions are available. While funds are limited, there are non-profits as well as charities that may be able to help with paying security deposits for the homeless, offer financial aid for back rent, and other needs. Or click here for a listing of additional Oakland California area rent and housing assistance programs.

  • Social Services Agency - Private funds as well as CalWorks grant money is made available from this program to help low-to-moderate income families with dependent children, senior citizens age 60 and over, and disabled individuals. There is deposit, rent relief, and money for people who live in Alameda County in Oakland. Call 510-259-3812.  for the referral line, or locate other resources for avoiding eviction.
  • Short term housing and homeless assistance is available in Alameda County California. Several non-profits, charities and other agencies help people access low income housing and assist the homeless with re-housing services. Receive everything from case management, shelter, employment counseling, to referrals to programs in Oakland and the county that may help with paying security deposits or rent. More details on Alameda County transitional housing.

 

 

 

 

Spectrum Community Services Inc. provides applications to the HEAP program. The non-profit will provide energy bill assistance and weatherization services to low-income residents of Alameda, Castro Valley, Fremont, Hayward, Livermore, Newark, Oakland, Pleasanton, San Leandro, San Lorenzo, as well as Union City. Phone 510-881-0300, and the extension is 216 or 200.

Oakland branch Swords to Plowshares helps former military members and veterans. A focus is on housing and employment, and there may be grants for rent from Support Services for Veteran Families. Or locate apartments for vets with bad credit, transitional housing, and free clothing for work in Oakland. Other services include Career Pathways job placement and help in applying for disability or benefits. Click here veteran help from Swords to Plowshares.

 

 

Fremont City runs the Housing Scholarship Program. For those that qualify and that are part of a vocational job-training programs, they may be able to qualify for help with bills including rent and other support. Case managers work with clients on self-sufficiency and offer referrals as well to Alameda County agencies and charities. 510-494-4511

BOSS Self-Sufficient of Oakland and Alameda County - They focus on helping the low income and homeless get support. The non-profit may have referrals to a number of assistance programs, including eviction prevention services, hotel/motel vouchers, job placement, and also shelter or transitional housing. The disabled and mentally ill can get help too. Senior citizens may benefit from a representative payee program as well.

  • For those that qualify and that are part of a vocational job-training programs, they may be able to qualify for help with bills including rent and other support. Case managers work with clients on self-sufficiency and offer referrals as well to Alameda County charities. Get referrals to free bus tickets, gas for a job or interview and other transportation help too. The location is 1918 University Ave., Suite 2A, Berkeley, California 94704. Telephone (510) 649-1930.

Income enhancing programs in Alameda County - The cost of living is very high. Immigrants, millennial, service workers and others often need a second or gig job. There are options including the following.

  • Cars can be monetized. Whether for delivery services or advertising. Find tips on making money from your car.
  • Career skills around IT, website development, software engineering and more are offered. Try a job center in Oakland.
  • Online side gigs - They can be a great, second source of income for low to moderate income residents. A number of options are out there. Find details on online jobs that are side gigs.

St. Vincent de Paul parishes in Alameda County help struggling people. This charity organization can help people around Oakland and all of Alameda County. Individuals of all religions and backgrounds may qualify for assistance. Several job training and employment services are offered by SVDP in Alemda County, and they have some programs that focus on the currently unemployed.

  • Other services include medical care from a clinic, and shelter/housing/rent assistance. Meet with a counselor to explore all of these services. There is also a thrift store, free vouchers for personal or household stuff and other support. Click here St. Vincent de Paul Oakland emergency assistance.

 

 

 

I & R Eden has a number of emergency and long term assistance programs - some of which help people with financial needs. Another other programs, they help run the 211 system in Alameda County. This has information on free government grant money to help pay light bills to medical care, food benefits, and more. There are also details on appliances, free car programs for single moms, and so much more. The location is 570 B St, Hayward, CA 94541. Call (510) 537-2710

Volunteers of America (VOA) - Services are available across the county and they have an office in Oakland California. A major focus is on housing including for seniors over the age of 60, single moms or vets. Some of the resources from the northern California VOA are as follows.

  • Shelter and transitional housing for individuals, the homeless and women, including children. They also have emergency eviction prevention / rent help. Another solution is housing for seniors, including so called affordable housing units and apartments. Read Volunteers of America Northern California.

Berkeley Health, Housing and Community Services Department will potentially help people in the city. The government organization administers the Housing Retention Program. It may provide cash grants to qualified low income Berkeley residents who are facing eviction. All monies need to go towards overdue rent.

  • There are other resources too, ranging from gas or water bill help to food, clothes for work, and job programs. The city also partners with agencies such as Women’s Daytime Drop In Center (phone 540-548-2884), the City of Berkeley – Family Youth and Children Services (call 540-981-5280), Aging Services Division/Senior Centers (dial (510) 238-3284). The address is 2180 Milvia Street, 2nd Floor, Berkeley, CA 94704. Call 510-981-5400.

Oakland Based Project Outreach provides support for the working poor and low income. The charity offers everything from funds for a rental or utility deposit to free food. Clients range from single parents to the underemployed and veterans. The non-profit can also coordinate temporary housing in the city and county as well. More on Project Outreach.

Shelter Inc. offers a few resources as well, including education, case management services, life skills training, and employment opportunities to help people become self-sufficient. Financial assistance for rent and other costs may be available. Permanent housing units, including private rental apartments, are offered as well as assistance programs for veterans and their families in Alameda County. Call 925-335-0698 for intake. The location is 1333 Willow Pass Rd, Concord, CA 94520.

The non-profit City Team offers services, including housing assistance, medical care, and food. The agency can help the working poor, unemployed, homeless in the county and struggling. Get applications to grant money or free stuff, case management services and other financial help.

  • As resources allow, there are short term shelters and transitional housing units, including for single parents. Free food and basic needs, maybe even including clothing or diapers, are offered. Other programs including referrals to clinics for medical needs, help for immigrants, job placement, and general advice and support. More on City Team assistance programs.

Alameda County Community Development Agency - Housing and Community Development Department provides low interest loans or cash grants. The free government can be paid out for home repairs and improvement. Most of the support is offered as part of the Fix Your Home Construction Program

  • Emergency repairs can include plumbing, electrical, toilets, railings, water heaters, or furnaces. A focus is on seniors and those with special needs. The government agency may also have information on other housing assistance programs, including federal and state of California resources. Location is 224 W Winton Avenue, Hayward, California 94544. Dial 510-670-5404. Or find more details on government home repair assistance.

Alameda County Social Services Agency can offer one-time critical needs or housing assistance to help stabilize a family facing a crisis. They also process applications for state and federal benefits. There is help the disabled, seniors, and people with no money.

  • Housing relief in Alameda County - Funds may be offered for security deposits for households that just faced an eviction, delinquent rent or mortgage payments, and maybe even limited utility bill assistance to prevent a shut-off. Priority is for elderly individuals over the age of 60, families with children under 18, and the disabled.
  • Government benefits are offered too. Families who are faced with an emergency, the low income and working poor can all look into government and cash assistance programs. Services offered range from homeless prevention, CalFresh SNAP food stamps, medical care, and much more.

 

 

 

The agency also has a Veterans Service Office (VSO). This can provide veterans, their immediate family members, dependents, spouses and survivors with benefits information and assistance. This can include financial aid as well. Call the agency at 510-263-2420 or 510-272-3700, or get information on public assistance in Alameda County.

Abode Services is administers the Support Services for Veteran Families. This is a housing assistance program for veterans (and their families) and also offers them other support as well. For those that qualify, they can receive emergency help in the form of security deposit, rental assistance, and even utility bill help. Other support may be affordable child care, transportation or gasoline, free food, and help with moving costs and needs. This is for very low income/homeless veterans and comes with other conditions. Dial 510-657-7409, with the office at 40849 Fremont Blvd, Fremont, CA 94538.

Insight Housing and the BFHP, or Berkeley Food and Housing Project, also offers this resource from SSVF as part of Roads Home. Assistance is for veterans facing eviction or those with no place to live. Or it can help those that are currently seeking a new home in Alameda County. Get help in obtaining and maintaining permanent housing or an apartment.

  • Not only can grants (or in some cases loans) be issued for a rent payment, but job training, placement, medical care and more support is available. Call 855-862-1804 to learn about Rapid Re-housing assistance and homeless prevention from SSVF.

Lao Family Community Development, Inc. - Seniors can get help. Low-income, isolated Vietnamese and Mien senior citizens in Oakland and Alameda County may qualify. The non-profit can offer counseling, English and citizenship assistance, Medicare and Medical bill assistance (Calfresh) and more. There is also free health and safety education, SSI applications, housing, and more. Address is 2325 East 12th Street, Oakland, California 94601, dial 510-533-8850.

St. Mary's Center will help residents over the age of 55 locate housing, provide financial support, health services and assists with basic needs. Among programs, they runs the Shelter Plus Care Program for the community, which allows the homeless to receive emergency housing and support services. Legal aid and much more is available too, including a winter shelter. Location is 925 Brockhurst Street, Oakland, CA 94608, dial 510-923-9600 for information, or more on senior programs from Saint Mary’s Center.

Help with a mortgage, debt relief and credit repair services are available across Alameda County. If you need help dealing with unpaid debts, the Oakland California based Consumer Credit Counselors / Money Management Inc. (phone ((510) 636-9397) may be able to help. The non-profit credit counseling agency can help people create a budget, enter a debt management program, and deal with unpaid bills, including for credit cards and auto loans. Learn more about pros and cons of debt management plans, or call the credit counselors.

  • Alameda County families are relying on credit cards more and more to make ends meet. Many need help paying credit card debts or repairing credit. Banks and lenders offer assistance and there are free credit counseling agencies too. As one option, read about debt settlement for credit cards.

 

 

 

Another agency is Housing and Economic Rights Advocates (HERA) (phone (510) 271-8443) works closely with low income and otherwise vulnerable Oakland Homeowners. Qualified individuals can get help saving their home and from foreclosure. The agency offers individual foreclosure counseling and prevention, workshops, advice, and telephone counseling and referral services to various mortgage and foreclosure programs.

  • Borrowers across the region are supported by several other organizations, charities, and government programs. Locate more Oakland foreclosure counseling agencies that also include Alameda County.

 

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By Jon McNamara

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