Chisago County assistance programs.
Get help with bills and expenses
If you are low to moderate income, and struggling to pay your bills, a local organization offers a wide variety of resources and services for families and individuals in Chisago County. Lakes and Pines is the local community action agency that administers the programs. A sampling of the programs they offer are indicated below, as well as the contact information. Call them to learn more or apply for aid.
- Basic Energy Bill Assistance Plan
This will serve as your primary heat assistance plan. It will assist with paying a portion of your homes heating bills. You can apply to this program anytime from the late fall to the early spring. If you are accepted into the program, payments will be sent directly to the client's fuel vendor and not to the applicant themselves.
- Heating and Energy Crisis Assistance
This is the program that provides aid and grants for emergency and crisis situations such as utility or heating service shutoff notices or non-delivery of oil or fuel, or if someone runs out of fuel.
- Energy and Furnaces Repair
Grants and funds are available and can be used for owner occupied homes to correct emergency problems with heating as well as cooling systems.
- Housing and rent assistance program
Aid is offered for people who are trying to maintain their housing or stay in their apartment, and if someone is experiencing a temporary crisis. Lakes and Pines CAC may be able to assist individuals and families who are faced with an eviction or foreclosure. Applicants may be able to receive grants, direct financial assistance; strong planning, counseling and also case management.
- Home Rehabilitation Loan Program
Home repairs are offered to low and moderate income homeowners. In addition, funds can also be made available to help make improvements for handicap accessibility.
- Weatherization Assistance
Homeowners who are accepted into this program are provided with free energy conservation measures, such as weather-stripping, insulation or caulking to help reduce utility and heating costs. Furnaces can also be checked for safety and tuned up to improve efficiency.
- Loans for car repairs
If you need to pay for a car repair or some other type of transportation expense, zero interest loans of up to $500 can be made available to help people pay for vehicle repair or other transportation-related expenses. There are repayment terms, and the low interest loan must be paid back in monthly installments. Some other conditions include that applicants must be attending a post-secondary school or working in order to qualify. Find out how to get additional low interest rate auto loans.
- Education Assistance
They administer the Educational Support Services, which will assist students who have graduated from high school and are continuing their education. They will help pay a small portion of the costs they incur for tuition, books, or other school supplies when they enrolled in an accredited school. Free cash grants of up to $500 are available for reimbursement for costs not covered by other grants and government loans.
- Crisis Transportation Funding and Auto Repairs
Grants and funds can be used to pay for necessary auto repairs (must have 2 repair quotes or use a local CIF partner shop). In addition ,the program can pay for auto insurance payments, auto loan payments if someone is in default, they can pay for late fees, towing, costs associated with registering a car and obtaining a Drivers License, and grants can even be used for gas Vouchers and/or card Transit Passes.
The agency is located at 1700 Maple Avenue East, Mora, MN, 55051-1227, and the phone number is 320-670-1800. Find more details.
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