Citrus County assistance programs.
Utility bill assistance
Citrus County has recently implemented the Neighbor-helping-Neighbor Program. It was created to assist lower income utility customers with paying utility bills if they find themselves struggling or falling behind.
Families in Citrus County who want to contribute to the utility bill assistance program can sign up to have their utility bills rounded up every month and the extra money they pay will be put into the assistance fund to aid those who need help.
Applicants who request assistance from the program also need to meet certain conditions. They need to be qualified and they can only receive the aid at most once per year. The program will pay out grants in the form of a one-time payment of $50 for an eligible customer who has either water or county sewer service. Or if the customer has both sewer and water service, they can receive a grant of up to $100. In addition, in order to get assistance from this program, the receipt must have received a final shut off notice from the utility company. They also must be able to prove their income to show the financial hardship. Dial (352) 527-5200.
Financial and emergency assistance programs in Citrus County Florida
Annie W. Johnson Senior Service Center. This agency is located in S. Dunnellon Florida. The programs and resources they administer may be able to provide qualified low income customers with limited emergency and cash grants for paying cooling bills, utilities, rent or housing/mortgage assistance. The intent of the programs are to provide individuals, families or households an additional 30 days of service or housing support. The non-profit also has a food pantry and vouchers for clothing. Call (352) 489-8021
Section 8 housing is also offered in Citrus County. Unfortunately the demand is great so there is a waiting list. The Citrus County Department of Housing runs Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program. Call (352) 527-7527. Or read more on Section 8 housing in Florida.
Daystar Life Center - Crystal River - A very limited amount of financial assistance is offered with only some financial needs and aid provided for expenses such as utilities (electric bills, water expenses, propane gas), foreclosures, rental assistance, emergency prescriptions, food and clothing. Dial the Crystal River Florida agency at (352) 795-8668.
Mid Florida Community Services, Inc. is the local community action agency. Programs administered include. Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) - Grants are provided to low income customers to help pay monthly energy bills and stop disconnections. Head Start - The government funded program is for low-income families and their children, and is preparing them for kindergarten through developmentally appropriate curriculum, the provision of nutrition, health, mental health, and free or low cost dental services. Social services are also provided for families, their children and parent involvement. Various senior programs, like home delivered meals, information on health care, and outreach is offered. Last, but not least, weatherization services can help individuals save on their summer cooling bills. Call the community action agency at (352) 796-1425. Learn more.
Citrus County Salvation Army, which is based in Homosassa FL and can be reached at (352) 621-5532, offers the following services. Rental assistance, a free food pantry, electric and utility bill assistance, credit counseling, seasonal help, assistance with disaster referral, tutoring, and other forms of counseling. In addition, they can refer individuals to programs for prescription antibiotics, Clothing and/or Furniture Assistance.
Citrus United Basket (C.U.B.) assists residents of the county by supplying food and clothing, limited help with electric bills if funds are available, food, and if you need a job, they can help by offering these individuals appropriate clothes, guidance, resume review and services that show job finders they really care. Inverness FL. (352) 344-2242
Inverness based Consumer Credit Counseling of Mid-Florida (phone (352) 637-2227) provides services including professional, confidential debt and credit and budget counseling, free foreclosure prevention counseling, housing counseling, HUD foreclosure counseling, debt management and reduction, credit report review, bankruptcy counseling and financial literacy education.
Citrus County resources for rent - Support is for low income families. Priority is also on those tenants that can make future payments on their own. Find information on non-profits or government agencies to call for security or utility deposit help or for assistance with back rent to stop an eviction. Learn more.
Food banks and programs
First United Methodist Homosassa - Mother Hubbard's Cupboard Food Pantry ((352) 628-4083) provides hundreds of bags of food per year to the needy, as well as holiday meals.
First Presbyterian Church - Provides support to anyone in need of food or help. The church tries to provide enough food for several meals for you and your family. Crystal River Florida. (352) 795-2259
Food Pantry run by Crystal River United Methodist Church ((352) 795-3148) provides a bag of food up to once per month.
St. Margaret's Episcopal Church, which is based in Inverness ((352) 726-3153) runs a food pantry.
Individuals or families that are facing hunger, or need supplemental food, have other pantries to try. Many churches, non-profits, and charities serve meals, pass out household supplies or groceries, and provide clothing or holiday meals too. Continue reading.
Health care
A sliding fee scale is administered by the Citrus County Health Department. Call (352) 795-6233. Some of the services provided include school health services, pediatric and adult primary care services, prescription medications, childhood and adult immunizations, WIC, family planning, dental care and woman's health services. Call (352) 795-6233
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