Assistance programs Contra Costa County.
Find how to get housing assistance, free food, affordable health care, and other financial aid in Contra Costa County. Agencies, both charitable and the government social services, as well as churches provide rent, utility bill as well as security deposit help. There are also homebuying and mortgage loan assistance programs as well as resources for immigrants.
Other financial assistance or free stuff is also offered in Contra Costa County, including the cities of Concord, Antioch and Richmond. There are free grants for paying utility bills, transportation assistance, foreclosure prevention, and other support. Or learn about non-profits that help families reduce or pay down their debt, refinance car or home loans, and that offer other counseling.
Find financial assistance programs and resources that will help pay bills.
The local Community Action program provides residents with resources and services that can give them short term help paying bills. The non-profit also runs programs that will help them become self sufficient over the long term. Through the Contra Costa County Employment and Human Services Community Service Block Grant, they provide assistance with paying home utility bills, weatherization programs, and funding for community based organizations that all have the goal of helping low and moderate income persons move out of poverty and also help them pay bills and debts.
Some of the resources offered include the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program's (LIHEAP) Housing and Energy Assistance, Weatherization programs and the Department of Energy (DOE) Weatherization program. They also help families apply for CalFresh or free child care services. However, this is just a sampling, and they do have other resources to offer struggling people. The phone number for community action is (877) 505-4630, with two other numbers being (925) 313-1500 or (925)-335-8900.
- The LIHEAP program is offered by Community Action, and it provides financial assistance and cash grants that are used for energy bills for low income people. This aid includes immediate financial assistance to people with 48 hour shutoff notices, energy education, and budget counseling services. As a benefit, those households who apply for LIHEAP and DOE may also receive free energy reduction and weatherization services for their homes. Weatherization includes the installation of insulation, weather stripping, and other energy saving measures that will reduce the loss of energy from the home, thus reducing monthly energy bills by hundreds of dollars per year.
- The Contra Costa County's LIHEAP program may be able to offer you one or more of the following types of assistance to help with utility bills. The address is 1470 Civic Court, Suite 200, Concord, California 94520, Telephone: (925) 681-6380.
- Energy bill crisis assistance and grants.
- Utility bill payment assistance
- Energy and budget education.
- Weatherization and energy-related home repairs and improvements. More on weatherization services.
- General assistance cash grants may be offered too. The following residents of Contra Costa County may apply for cash grants from the local community action agency.
- Unemployed families or individuals who need help finding a job.
- County residents whose earnings are not more than the maximum allowed by the grant program.
- Incapacitated residents who are applying for other forms of government assistance or continuing support, or if someone is eligible for other support.
- Several other government programs operate in the state. More public assistance California.
The amount of the grant provided will vary according to the number of people in the household, the income level, and the employability status of the recipient. Note that grant amounts provided to applicants may change from year to year due to funding or other reasons.
- The Community Action program (number below) provides comprehensive childcare services for thousand of families every year during the school year. They can provide the child care assistance by combining state, federal, and local childcare funding into one general assistance program. For children who are aged zero to five, we have full-day, part-day, full-year and part-year programs. Nearly all eligible families will receive some type of childcare at no cost to the applicant. Find other details on free daycare in California.
Contact the Community Action Agency at 40 Douglas Drive, Martinez, CA 94553, or call them at the following numbers. The main intake number is (877) 505-4630. Another intake number is (707) 745-0900. Or in West County dial 510.374.7144; or for East/Central call 925.427.8852.
Contra Costa foreclosure prevention
Some non-profit organizations to contact for mortgage and foreclosure help include the following. They may also help low income families, including gig economy workers, buy a home.
- Pacific Community Services - 925-439-1056. This organization provides Mortgage Default Relief Measures, housing counseling, mediation, and other solutions to mortgage problems.
- A Housing Counseling program was created by Catholic Charities in partnership with other local non-profit groups. Dial (925) 825-3099 (x306) for more information and access to foreclosure programs.
- Mt. Diablo Housing Opportunity Center - Housing Rights, Inc. (866-469-0133) also can help homeowners. They offer reverse mortgage counseling, free foreclosure counseling and home preservation education to people struggling with their mortgages.
The Contra Costa Home Equity Preservation Alliance (HEPA) was created from a partnership of local agencies and non-profit organizations. Together this service brings together the expertise of federal government certified HUD counseling agencies. Counselors will work directly with the homeowner and provide Mortgage Delinquency, Foreclosure Counseling and Default Resolution Assistance. They also help people buy a home. All this is offered with professional and well trained legal service providers. More on homebuying and mortgage assistance programs.
Get assistance and access to counseling to homeowners about unpaid and delinquent mortgage loans, loss mitigation and their options. Receive free legal advice about foreclosure process and go over all of your options. Counselors can also negotiate directly with your mortgage servicer or loan provider to explore options and come up with solutions. Some of the agencies that are part of the partnership include Bay Area Legal Aid (phone (800) 551-5554). Find additional ways to get California mortgage and foreclosure help.
Financial help, low income housing, utility bill and rent assistance
SHELTER, Inc. has three main objectives, including preventing homelessness by helping prevent evictions, they encourage self-sufficiency of low income individuals, and they can help currently homeless people. The non-profit organization can provide one-time financial assistance with paying a portion of either the security deposit or monthly rent for rental housing and apartments in Contra Costa County. In addition, a limited amount of funding is also available to prevent mortgage foreclosure by homeowners in the County. (925) 335-0698, or get details on housing programs from SHELTER.
More financial assistance for paying rent or deposits as well as free advice and funds to prevent an eviction can be obtained in Contra Costa. Read about other Contra Costa County rent programs.
Catholic Charities of Contra Costa and the Bay area ((925) 825-3099) runs a Critical Family Needs program. This service provides qualified families and individuals with a one-time grant and/or cash assistance as well as free basic needs.
The funds are provided on an emergency basis, and the program is available only for a limited number of qualified families and individuals, including the unemployed, elderly and seniors, disabled, and other low income individuals. Cash assistance is provided to those people who are experiencing a short term hardship or some type of emergency crisis. Catholic Charities is offering emergency help to maintain their family well-being, including food or housing.
The money can be used to pay rent, energy bills, mortgage, medical bills, or other expenses. Because the demand for emergency help is greatly exceeding the available funds, only a small percentage of eligible applicants receive assistance from the Critical Family Needs program. Read more on Catholic Charities in Contra Costa.
The Salvation Army has locations in Antioch, Concord, and Richmond. Dial 925-676-6180 for referrals. The locations can offer, among other support, funds for paying energy bills, free food, clothing, as well as mortgage or rent assistance. There is also free food, school supplies and a homeless shelter and a host of other assistance programs. There is also a low cost thrift store. Learn more on electric bill help.
Many families turn to the Salvation Army around the holidays. This is when the agency will really try to ramp up the assistance programs and services they provide. Children from low income families may receive free Christmas gifts, coats or toys, and the entire family may receive a free hot meal around Thanksgiving or Christmas. In addition, some additional cash assistance may be provided around that time for basic needs such as rent, medications, or utility bills. More on Contra Costa Salvation Army.
Contra Costa County Employment and Human Services has offices around the county, including in Richmond, Pleasant Hill, and Brentwood. Dial 510-412-3280. The agency administers a one-time only rental payment paid directly to the landlord or housing/apartment complex to prevent loss of housing by eligible families due to financial hardship or some type of unexpected emergency, not for lease violations.
Other government assistance offered includes they process applications for General Assistance, CalFresh, CalWORKs, Medi-Cal, and other public aid and social services provided by the county. They may also offer free housing assistance.
Council for Hope and Opportunity, or ECHO Housing, focuses on preventing homelessness, rapid rehousing, and assisting first time homebuyers. Several resources are available. Tenants can get help with paying rent or security deposits. Homeowners can look into foreclosure counseling from ECHO. Both tenants and homeowners can take part in homeowner or renter/landlord mediation sessions. Other services are available as well. Click details on Council for Hope and Opportunity - HOPE.
Water bill assistance is available in Contra Costa County. All towns and cities will work with qualified customers regarding payment on their account. The numbers to call for help include.
- Antioch 925-779-7060 City of Antioch Water Department
- Bay Point 800-999-4033 Golden State Water Company
- Brentwood 925-516-5415 City of Brentwood Utility Billing Department
- Martinez 925-372-3575 Martinez Water District
- Oakley 925-625-3798 Diablo Water District (also serves Bethel Island, Knightsen)
- Pittsburg 925-252-4940 City of Pittsburg Utility Payment Center
Other utility type programs administered include the LifeLine Service from Contra Costa Water District, which is for low income disabled customers receiving SSI payment or those individuals over the age of 62. Assistance is offered for people in Clayton, Clyde, Concord, Pacheco, parts of Walnut Creek, Martinez, and Pleasant Hill California.
East Bay Municipal Utility District offers help. Phone 866-403-2683. Their application serves people in Alamo, Crockett, Danville, Diablo, El Cerrito, El Sobrante, Hercules, Kensington, and Lafayette. This water bill help may also be for Moraga, Orinda, Pinole, parts of Pleasant Hill, Richmond, Rodeo, San Pablo, parts of Walnut Creek, and San Ramon.
The Community Services Bureau is part of the local government. This department processes a few of the federal and state of California funded assistance programs. The primary ones include utility bill assistance from LIHEAP, early child development for children from Head Start, and also energy conservation measures from free weatherization services. Staff can also generally refer qualified low income residents to other Contra County resources. More on programs from Community Services.
Rent help from Homeless Prevention and Rapid Rehousing. Dial 925-313-6124. The program, which is abbreviated as HPRP Rapid Re-Housing, may be able to provide referrals and information that can lead to funding to assist Contra Costa residents. There is support for families living in poverty to those on the verge of homelessness.
Government grants can assist tenants who are living in rental housing but are in jeopardy of losing their current home or apartment or that may be facing an eviction. Mortgage assistance is not available through the HPRP. It focuses just on rent, utility, legal aid or water bills, and deposits. Clients must be facing imminent eviction, and show that they are facing a short term hardship but can get back on track with paying rent over the long term. Read more Contra Costa eviction or rehousing.
High Speed Internet programs are available in Contra Costa County. There may be free internet connections for students as well as job seekers. Whether the government, a cable company or phone company, they all encourage high speed access. Find details on free Internet for students.
Churches and St. Vincent De Paul - This charity relies heavily on donations from the community and the time of volunteers. While financial assistance is limited, they may have some funds for paying rent or housing expenses if someone is faced with an eviction. However the other resources they offer include free food and meals. Basic medical care is offered by clinics. Food, senior assistance, shelter, and immigration services are all offered as well. Read more on Society of Saint Vincent de Paul Contra Costa County.
During the holiday seasons, many lower to moderate income households in Contra Costa need help with obtaining free Christmas gifts for their children or Thanksgiving meals. Others need a meal or companionship (such as seniors or the homebound) and there are many charities that can assist. They provide free gifts, food, and more at the major holidays, including Thanksgiving. Continue with Contra Costa County free holiday programs.
Monument Crisis Center provides basic needs and offers medical or dental care. There is school assistance for children from a Backpack Drive, free dental check ups, and also help for senior citizens in Contra Costa County. A pantry is also on site, and more Monument Crisis Center.
Low income and transitional housing services are available. Dozens of non-profit organizations, charities, churches, and homeless shelters can assist families facing eviction and people that are homeless. Some of the resources available in Contra Costa County California can include emergency homeless shelters, low income apartments, and help with finding and paying the security deposit on a new, permanent home. Employment programs and other social services are offered too. Click low income housing Contra Costa County.
Free basic needs such as clothes, furniture and school supplies are offered. There may be items distributed by churches, clothing closets, thrift stores, furniture banks and other charities. The lowest income families in Contra Costa may qualify for free goods while others may need to shop for reduced priced items. Some of what may be provided includes school supplies, professional work attire, diapers, cribs, shoes, and Christmas items. Learn more on free clothing closets, furniture banks and school supplies in Contra Costa County.
Housing Authority of Contra Costa County administers low income housing programs and more, including section 8 HCV vouchers. There is often a waiting list. The vouchers, when available, can help pay a portion of your rent. Public and government housing is handled by the Housing Authority Pittsburg, Oakley, North Richmond or Rodeo offices. The phone numbers are below. Or learn more about section 8 HUD vouchers for low income apartments near you.
- 2870 Howe Road, Martinez, California 94553, call (888) 746-8731
- Housing Authority of the City of Richmond, 330-24th Street, Richmond, CA 94804, telephone (510) 621-1300
- City of Pittsburg is located at 916 Cumberland Street. Call (925) 252-4830.
Contra Costa Bay Area Free Legal Aid - While not offering direct financial assistance, the non-profit provides advice and referrals for a number of issues. The center offers free legal help for issues such as eviction prevention, housing discrimination, and section 8. Receive advice if you are denied public benefits or access to health care. Learn how to access assistance programs such as Medi-Cal, Food Stamps and Denti-Cal, Medicare. 1025 Macdonald Avenue, Richmond, California 94801. Phone (510) 250-5270. Click here for free legal aid in the Bay area of California.
California Human Development can help the homeless and/or very low income. There are also programs for immigrants and farmworkers in Contra Costa County. Qualified low income applicants may be able to access affordable apartments or transitional housing programs. However, CHD also provides case management such as citizenship services, educational support, and job placement programs. Learn more on services offered from California Human Development.
State and federal programs are available in Contra Costa County. There are a few offices in which low income residents can apply for cash and public assistance, food vouchers from CalFresh, energy bill help and other services such as job training. The county can even provide aid for those that are currently looking for a job and that are unemployed. Read more on public assistance in Contra Costa County.
Contra Costa non-profits and assistance programs that cover the entire state of California
Get information on other assistance programs that can help northern California residents and that also assist families and individuals throughout the state. They range from charities to government resources.
Older adults in Contra Costa County can get help, including the elderly, retirees, and senior citizens. Many of them live on fixed income or retirement savings and it can be a challenge to pay the bills. Food, housing, medical care and other resources are offered, and locate help for seniors.
Free health care clinics and medical bills
Several local community health care clinics in the Contra Costa County area include the following. Call any of them to make an appointment or to learn more. While services provided and costs may vary, in general they will try to provide medical care to all who need help. They may be free physicals, check ups, immunizations, vouchers for prescription drugs, and more.
Berkeley Free Clinic - Dial (510) 548-2570 or 800-625-4624
BAART Community HealthCare-East County - 925-522-0124
These facilities provide health and maybe dental care on a fee/sliding scale. Some may be able to offer free medical care. If those centers can’t provide the medical or dental assistance you need, locate additional free community clinics in Contra Costa County.
Employment/job training assistance programs in Contra Costa County.
These con-profit centers have resources and staff on hand that can help the unemployed find a job or even provide assistance for those who are currently employed, such as job training or free career counseling. Work with a counselor to search for a job in California, prepare a resume, and register for training or classes.
Child Care Job Bank - 925-676-5442.
Experience Unlimited - Call 925-602-0166. Provides counseling, information, and other support services.
A One-Stop Center is located in Concord. Call 925-671-4500
Workforce Services - (Rubicon). Telephone number is 510-412-1700
Debt help and credit counseling in Contra Costa
Consumer Credit Counseling Service of the East Bay, including Concord and Oakland, are available to residents. Work with a credit or HUD certified housing counselor to receive free or low cost personal credit counseling. Other services include debt management plans, housing advising services including foreclosure prevention counseling and free advice. Counselors also help with applications to credit card debt relief government program.
The non-profit also offer bankruptcy counseling, financial education services, credit report analysis, and online money management counseling. Counselors can also refer clients to programs offered by banks, such as Chase assistance programs. Phone (510) 636-9397 or 866-889-9347.
Free food banks, meal programs, groceries and pantries
The following non-profits provide free food or other types of hunger prevention. Some of what may be offered includes free groceries, perishable food, and holiday meals. Or learn about government programs such as CalFresh.
- Extra Helpings Food Program - Food Bank CC/Solano - Concord, CA. Phone 925-313-6761
- Food Pantry - Antioch Ministerial Fellowship St. Andrews Church - Antioch, CA. Telephone number is 925-757-1672
- Christ the King - St. Vincent de Paul - Pleasant Hill California. Phone 925-682-2486.
- First Baptist Church - Pittsburg
Other charities and government agencies provide food assistance or hot meals from soup kitchens. There are staff that will offer free groceries, USDA commodities or provide meals. Other aid ranges from baby formula to Christmas baskets or applications to CalFresh food stamps. Find the addresses, hours and phone numbers of dozens of other food distribution centers. Locate more Contra Costa County free food pantries.
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