Deschutes County and Bend assistance programs.
Find how to apply for housing assistance (rent, mortgages, or deposits), free food, and other financial help in Deschutes County. Low income families and those in an emergency may get help from a charity, church, or government assistance program below. There may also be free clothing, heating or utility bill help, school supplies, cash aid, case management, and other social services.
Charities are located across Bend and the county. Some even provide year round hot meals or free Christmas toys. Or struggling families can get transportation or seniors can ally for congregate or Meals on Wheels. Health and medical care is also a focus.
Find how to get help with bills, and become self-sufficient
Many people need short term financial aid to make it through a difficult period. At the same time, they may also need access to resources and programs to help ensure they get back on their feet over the long term. NeighborImpact may be able to help. It is a private nonprofit organization that was established to serve and speak out for low income as well as other economically disadvantaged people who live in Central Oregon, including Bend and Redmond
- Rent assistance is part of their menu of programs. Get rent help from NeighborImpact Emergency Services. They will offer individuals and families with rent help as well as information and referrals to all types of programs. Limited assistance will be available from this program.
- Free Weatherization can help the low income, eledery, and/or disabled. This federal government funded program is free to clients, and it can help people save hundreds of dollars per year on their energy bills. It can provide such improvements as increased insulation and lower air infiltration rates. Combined, these improvements these can reduce home heating bills for participants who are accepted into the weatherization program. As another side benefit, weatherization measures and improvements can improve the livability and even help extend the life of a home.
The number of people helped should increase with additional stimulus funds flowing to the program. Currently, the Weatherization Assistance Program assists about 10-20 low-income households per month and they have provided weatherization assistance to over 1,000 households to date, since inception.
Many improvements can be made in Deschutes County. There are furnace repair, services, and/or replacement may be available to both tenant and owner occupied homes. The Weatherization Assistance Program also partners with the Housing Rehabilitation program on many of its projects to ensure as many people as possible are supported. Find more details and information on free home repair programs.
- Get help with utility and heating bills from NeighborImpact community action. Every single year thousands of Deschutes County Oregon households get help with paying their utility bills from the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). This was a program originally created by the federal government, and it is funded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Grants are provided to people who need help. Additional options that are offered by NeighborImpact included a program to help households prevent utility shutoffs. Funds for this shut off prevention program come from:
- Oregon Energy Assistance Program (OEAP – for Pacific Power customers)
- Cascade Natural Gas Company's Winter Help Program
- Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
- Oregon HEAT (for Pacific Power customers)
- Local donations from individuals and businesses
- NeighborImpact also offers Child Care Resources. This service is dedicated to providing comprehensive resource, advice, and referral services to low income families as well as free government voucher to pay for daycare in Oregon. They are one of the main child care providers to all communities in Central Oregon. They also attempt to promote and recruit more accessible and affordable day care.
The main goal is to help lower income, working people save on child care expenses. They also highly encourage community involvement through parent education, volunteerism, and also provider training. Child Care Resources' services are available to all families in need of help. There may be free programs too. Even learn more on free daycare in Oregon.
- The Housing Center offered by NeighborImpact acts as a so called one-stop shop for families and homeowners who need assistance and who want to become financially fit. It can help people save a home from foreclosure, or help them make their way towards financial strength and home ownership. The program offers many services, including direct services such as the homebuyer education, foreclosure counseling.
Also offered are indirect services including meaningful referrals to partners of the center as well as programs from such companies as Bank of America. Other programs offered by the agency include low-income housing weatherization grants, reverse mortgage counseling, housing rehabilitation loans, credit and debt counseling, mortgage help, down payment assistance programs, individual development accounts, state-funded loan programs, bank assistance products, information on loan modifications and other affordable mortgage products that can assist homeowners. To learn more, call NeighborImpact at (503) 548-2380.
Call the regional NeighborImpact phone line 541-504-2155 to learn more or apply for aid. Other offices are located at the following addresses. Or click for more information on NeighborImpact financial assistance.
- 2303 SW First Street, Redmond, Oregon 97756, (541) 447-4168
- 20310 Empire Avenue, Suite A110, Bend, OR 97701, (541) 504-2155
Deschutes County Oregon emergency financial aid
St. Vincent De Paul – Redmond Conference – This charity organization can provide emergency food boxes (at most once per month) to individuals and families in need across Deschutes County. Other resources include rent assistance and utility bill (water, electric, heat) assistance.
Where there are funds available, financial assistance from the St. Vincent church is limited to once per year for rent or utilities, and applicants need to meet all income conditions. Resources and funding is limited and provided on a first come/first served basis. In addition, household items and clothing are provided on a seasonal basis (one time every 3-4 months) through vouchers to SVDP Thrift Store, which is at the same location as the county Food Bank. 1610 SW Veterans Way, Redmond, Oregon 97756, call (541) 923-5264. More on Deschutes County St. Vincent De Paul assistance programs.
Non-profits offer emergency rent and security deposit help. The non-profits will often focus on a certain situation, such as providing a grant to a veteran or money for back rent to someone facing eviction. Another agency will also offer mediation to families facing an eviction, and housing is also for single parents. More details on Deschutes County rent help.
The Bend and County Salvation Army offers resources both year round and other programs during the fall and winter months. Some of the year round assistance includes financial aid for paying for expenses such as rent, utility bills, or water expenses. Deschutes County residents facing eviction or a disconnection of their power will tend to get priority.
During the winter free Christmas and Thanksgiving assistance may be provided to low income families from programs such as Angel Tree. Free Back to school supplies may be offered as well. Other Salvation Army resources include a food pantry, clothing closet, referrals, and other social services for the poor, unemployed and low income. Read more on Deschutes County Salvation Army assistance programs.
Assistance for food - Whether a Deschutes County family is living on a low income or if they just need some short term support, non-profit food pantries can often help. The locations are usually open a few days per week. Some of what may be offered includes.
- Bags of groceries for a family.
- Holiday meals, such as for Thanksgiving or Christmas and also small presents for children.
- Home delivery services for the disabled and seniors.
- Information on SNAP food stamps and the application process.
- Much more is available as well. There may be food stamp applications, clothing, and more. Find free food banks in Deschutes County.
Charities often try to help the vulnerable. This means seniors, the disabled, immigrants, or the sick often get priority. However there is always case management and self-sufficiency as part of this process. It is generally needed in order to get a grant for paying bills or loans. A wide variety of expenses can be paid, even find sources of loans for poor credit borrowers.
Get help for paying water bills in Deschutes County. The city of Redmond has recently created a fund that will help residents pay their water bills. In addition to this fund, which can provide direct cash grants, they also have a water bill rate reduction program for low and so called middle income customers. But the new water bill fund will be a new way to help people pay bills. Contact the city for more information, or click here to learn more on assistance for water bills.
Energy assistance, weatherization and free energy “education” programs
If you live in The City of Sisters, you may be able to get help if you are a low-income area resident and if you need aid with paying your heating bill or utility bill. This resource is only for that city and immediate area. If you live outside of their, but are in Deschutes County, then find many other sources of light or utility bill help.
The Energy Assistance program will provide cash grants and other financial help with paying for electricity, natural gas, propane, oil or wood. Residents in need of assistance can meet with NeighborImpact (541) 548-2380) staff. They can help income qualified families get a grant from the Energy Assistance, Weatherization and/or Free Energy Education programs. There are some requirements, and people will need to bring their utility bill and proof of household income. Applicants to the program will be seen on a first come first served basis.
In addition to financial assistance, there will also be details and information about the Home Weatherization program. This federal government assistance program will also help make the home of low and moderate income renters and homeowners more energy efficient and it can also address any health and safety issues. The NeighborImpact organization also provide solutions if your home is hard or expensive to heat, if your home feels cold all the time or has a draft.
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