Get help from a Community Action Agency in your state.
Community Action Agencies are local nonprofit organizations that help low-income households cover essential expenses while working toward long-term stability. These nonprofit organizations operate in almost all parts of the country - at the county, city or regional level and administer programs funded primarily through federal or state grants, including the Community Services Block Grant. This is a guide to help you understand what community action agencies do, how they can help, and there are also links to state/city programs below.
A Community Action Agency may help with utility bills, rent or housing costs, weatherization, transportation, employment services, family support programs and so much more - based on location. Services, eligibility rules, and funding limits vary, since assistance is managed locally rather than through a single national office.
Please keep in mind, the names may vary - some agencies are known locally as Community Action Partnerships, Human Services Agencies, or Economic Opportunity Councils. As one of our differentiators from many other services out there, NeedHelpPayingBills.com tracks these naming differences and local structures so residents can find the correct agency serving their specific area. The main categories of support, to help you navigate the page, are as follows.
How community action agencies operate
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Community action agencies function as local non-profit organizations that administer government-funded and community-based assistance programs. While they receive federal and state funding (with some also raising their own money from local fund drives), services are delivered at the local level, and each agency determines how programs are operated based on available funding, local needs, and regulations. Some agencies serve multiple counties through regional offices, while others focus on specific cities or counties.
Most community action agencies act as a central access point for assistance rather than offering a single service. In fact, our guide on how to apply for help will tell you when they should be your first point of contact. A household may apply once and be screened for multiple programs at the same time. Services can change throughout the year as funding becomes available or is exhausted, which is why availability, eligibility rules, and application requirements vary by location.
Who can generally get help from a community action agency
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Community action agencies are the primary “poverty fighting” organization is most local communities. They generally serve as a central access point to individuals and families with low or moderate incomes who are experiencing financial hardship. Assistance is commonly used as short-term support during a crisis such as job loss, illness, reduced work hours, or unexpected expenses. Programs are not limited to one type of household and may serve seniors, people with disabilities, working families, and individuals facing housing instability.
Applicants should expect an intake or screening process. Some agencies require appointments, documentation, or referrals, while others offer walk-in services depending on the program. Because funding available to people in need is limited and demand for help (in particular financial assistance) is high, not all applicants will receive assistance immediately, and some services may have waiting lists.
Types of help offered by community action agencies
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Some agencies focus heavily on crisis assistance, while others emphasize long-term self-sufficiency such as n employment support, education, early childhood services, or referrals to partner organizations. In many areas, community action agencies coordinate services with housing authorities, workforce programs, early childhood education providers, and other local organizations. This coordination allows people to be referred to additional resources beyond the agency itself.
Community Action will often provide money to pay rental or housing costs to help prevent evictions or homelessness. The organizations also service as a local directory of rental assistance programs. There may be money available as the result of government grants to help a tenant get current on their rent or a homeowner make a partial mortgage payment. When offered, this may include partial rent payments or other housing-related support.
There are also generally applications to local state or county government benefits, such as LIHEAP (or your state’s version). This low-income energy bill assistance program, which is offered by most agencies, will help people with little or no money pay for their electric, lights, or power service. The applications to LIHEAP grants to pay utility bills are sometimes seasonal and sometimes year-round, depending on the state.
- Low income energy bill assistance from a community action agency is usually combined with free conservation services as part of weatherization. Homeowners that benefit from LIHEAP will often also get applications to free weatherization programs for free home updates such as insulation, HVAC tune ups and more.
Transportation services are often a focus as transportation is critical to employment and long term financial stability. They try to arrange for people that need a car for job training or work to get help, with details available on how to get a free vehicle. The non-profits also try to help the low-income with everything from gas to getting a car loan or fixing a car.
Hunger prevention programs, including the occasional food pantry, are often available. Community Action will also address local hunger by providing information on USDA food programs. Case workers help people apply for SNAP or EBT cards (or the state’s version as names vary), or direct people to details about free food banks or a food pantry in their town or city.
Home repairs from a community action are often available in most states, often in partnership with HUD, the FHA, USDA and other government organizations. A major focus is on issuing grants or low-cost loans (maybe even interest free) to seniors or disabled people to fix their home. There are free home repairs, windows, energy efficiency updates, plumbing and more from a free home repair program.
Helping clients exit poverty, a form of long term self-sufficiency is a goal of all community action agencies - no matter the state While financial help may or may not be offered for low-income people as a short term form of relief (as it depends on funds and other criteria), the goal of all community action job training and educational services is on helping people gain long term stability. A community action organization will help adults in the form of job training, arrange Head Start or Early Head Start for kids and address other needs around financial stability.
Community Action Agencies by state
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Below, you can find Community Action Agency programs listed by state and, where available, by county or city. Each state listing links to local offices with contact information so residents can learn what assistance is available in their area and how to apply. There are often multiple offices that families can stop in at for support or for even more local CAA options, there is a nationwide network that has lists of agencies.
Alabama
Arizona
Arkansas
California
Colorado
Connecticut
Delaware
Florida
Georgia
Hawaii
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Mississippi
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New Mexico
New York
North Carolina
North Dakota
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
South Carolina
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Vermont
Virginia
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming
Need additional help from Community Action in your area or have questions? You can email us - include your state / county. It is never shared - as stated on our privacy policy. It is needed to send a reply to your request or more information on local community action agencies. Send an email to [email protected]
If you want to learn about other experiences in dealing with a community action agency, no matter your state, or if you want to ask questions or get tips, try our forum. Above you will find information on various community action agency programs with details by state. Also take a look at our community action forum of local programs where you can find other resources, get support from the "community" ask a question and get so much more information.
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