Community action agency assistance in Florida.
Find how to get financial help, job training, grants or social services from a non-profit community action agency in Florida. They will have applications to low-income utility bill assistance, free VITA income tax help as well as other resources. Or learn about home repair grants or loans, free food programs, housing and more. Get help from a Florida community action agency near you.
Staff can refer individuals to emergency financial assistance programs for their bills. Case managers will also work with clients to provide them with longer term self-sufficiency and stability. This can include employment services, transportation to get to a job such as a free car or gas voucher, and counseling. While the exact types of programs offered at each community action agency in FL will vary, some of the most common are below.
Grants from FL community action to help pay bills
The Florida Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) provides electric and summer cooling bill assistance to income qualified clients. Specific services include weatherization-assistance, which will help people save money by obtaining a lower electric bill. Crisis benefit can pay up to up twice a year for past due balance on your account, final notice or disconnection.
The Weatherization Assistance Program is coordinated by community action agencies in Florida. The federal government program can help reduce energy costs for low-income families, homeowners with no money and the elderly or disabled. It can provide for updates or free repairs to your home. It can include repair or replacement of inefficient heating and cooling units, replacement of windows and doors, attic and floor insulation, and more.
Some community action agencies in FL have emergency financial help. This would include one-time cash grant payments to low income and working poor families or individuals. Any grant money provided in Florida is meant to help meet emergency needs, in particular homeless prevention. So this means emergency rental assistance or money for energy bills.
- If funds are paid out, the applicant will more than likely need to sign up for ongoing case management. This can include, but is not limited to, budgeting classes, career counseling, and self-sufficiency type services and programs. As the case manager and the non-profits are focused on helping overcome barriers and not just paying out cash.
Retirees and senior citizens are a growing percentage of the population in Florida, and they too can get financial help. Much of the aid is around healthcare, prescription medications, or transportation. But supportive housing and even utility bill help can be effective for senior citizens. Get a list of senior citizen and retiree financial assistance programs.
Information and referrals are offered. A local Florida community action case manager may provide resources when available, or they may give suggestions on where you can go for help in Florida. Learn about or get assistance with paying for auto repairs, childcare, books for education, and tuition. All of these may be offered as part of self-sufficiency.
- A Florida community action agency housing assistance programs are arranged. The goal is to help low-income families, that rent a home or apartment, pay their bills to stay in their home or apartment. Grant money is offered as well as other social services. Get more details on rental assistance near you in Florida.
Veteran assistance is generally available. A large number of former service members live in Florida, and community action offices can often support and provide guidance to them. Receive help is completing applications and submitting claims for benefits and government grants.
- Individual can apply both to the federal government Department of Veterans Affairs as well as the state. Many clients need help in applying for assistance including health care, disability compensation, pension, rental and housing assistance, burial benefits, education, and job training programs that are focused on veterans.
Florida Home Repairs and Rehabilitation Programs are offered by some agencies. The centers try to assist current homeowners and help them make necessary repairs to their homes. It can be paid for by grants or low interest loans, and funds are intended to address safety and building code issues. Most of the support is for lower to moderate income senior citizens, the disabled, and elderly in Florida, and repairs need to help the maintain a safe home.
Medical care, specifically prescription discount cards may be distributed. All Florida residents, regardless of income, age, or health status can obtain a card, and it will provide them with to savings on the cost of their medications. Find more details on prescription drug discount cards.
Day care centers are located in many Florida counties. As well as vouchers to help pay for daycare. They are for parents who are attending job training, working and/or seeking jobs. Head Start also may contact with part-time day care providers during the school year. The non-profit locations provide families with children access to full-day, full-year daycare with licensed childcare providers.
- Community Action Agency staff in Florida know many low to moderate income families struggle to both work as well as pay for child care. The federal and state government may help. The financial aid can pay some or all of the cost, and read more on free daycare assistance programs in Florida.
Specialized senior centers are operated throughout the state of Florida. These centers may coordinate with a community action agency, and they provide older adults various social and recreational activities, meals, and companionship. Community action agencies in Florida also help seniors citizens apply for money from the government.
Transportation may be arranged. This is often done in partnership with other organizations, such as the Salvation Army or agency on aging. Rides are usually offered to senior citizens for a very low cost. The most common reasons would be for a doctor appointment, job interview, or to make it to the local stores for supplies.
Rental assistance may be provided from the Emergency Food and Shelter Assistance. Some agencies receive this government funding. Grants are utilized to assist families and individuals in need of emergency assistance with housing type needs. This can include funds for payment of utility bills, rent and mortgage payments. The program can also provide temporary shelter and food to Florida families.
Resources to learn about money, budgeting, and help to pay debt or taxes
Self sufficiency is offered in Florida. It can be called the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG), PASS Program, or even the most generic term of Family Self-Sufficiency. Lower income individuals or families need to meet income guidelines. This program allows people to work with case managers, and the programs were designed to help families in Florida become less dependent on government assistance and achieve self-sufficiency.
- Specific services offered by a Florida community action agency can include employment & professional development, education, health management, and financial management and asset Enhancement. Some locations may also provide income tax filing assistance and access to food and nutrition.
- As part of this process, you will work with a case manager who will help you determine strengths and areas of improvement. They can assess your needs, help you set goals, acquire education or job training, and assist with overcoming obstacles. Sign up for workshops to improve financial management and your credit scores, and also even prepare for first-time home-buying.
The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance, or VITA in Florida, allows staff and IRS trained volunteers to help thousands of low-income individuals, seniors, and families prepare their tax returns. Get help with both your federal government and state of Florida taxes. Highly trained staffs, some of who are bilingual, provide this service.
- The income tax filing as well as preparation services are not just for seniors or the low income; many moderate income households in Florida can also get assistance from the community action agency near them. Websites, volunteers, IRS trained staff and others can all assist. Find more details on preparing income taxes for free.
Community Action sponsored credit, debt counseling and budget management can help improve your financial condition. People who go through programs like these are less likely to lose their home to foreclosure or need to file for bankruptcy.
- Among other things, learn how to increase your credit score and create a realistic monthly budget. Get tips on managing your credit cards and how to use them responsibly. Find tips to pay down medical or credit card debt too. Or a counselor can help you protect your assets from identity theft and financial fraud. Oftentimes foreclosure prevention workshops are held. Learn more on free debt counseling services in Florida.
- HUD certified foreclosure prevention and housing specialists can work directly with your bank or mortgage servicers to find a solution. Community action agencies work closely with credit and housing counselors in Florida to provide these services to residents.
Several community action agencies work with credit and HUD approved counseling agencies to offer First Time Home Buyer programs. Workshops, classes, and individual sessions can assist individuals and families in obtaining affordable housing. Learn about the home buying process, how to obtain a low interest rate mortgage, and even apply for down-payment and closing cost assistance or grants. Resources are limited, and any funds for down payment are distributed on a first-come, first-serve basis to income qualified families.
Food assistance from community action agencies in Florida
Food, meals, and government commodities are distributed to low income families on a regular basis from community action agencies. Seniors and families with children receive special attention from a FL community action program. Some of what can be included is rice, vegetables, beans, apple sauce, macaroni and canned fruits. Surplus vegetables and fresh fruits are also available during peak farming season.
Summer Food Program for Children and Youth is offered during the summer breaks, when children do not have access to free school lunches or breakfasts. The program will distribute wholesome balanced meals at sites accessible to most economically eligible youths up to 18 years of age. For example, food may be provided from churches, parks, libraries and other centers in public Florida.
Meals on Wheels from community action focuses on senior citizens, disabled homebound people and the elderly in Florida. Some homebound individuals who are trying to maintain independent lifestyles may qualify for a free, or low cost, nutritious, hot meal. A local Florida community action agency may deliver meals to your home a few days per week.
- Community Action free pet food banks help seniors, low-income families and the disabled in Florida. The agencies partner with places such as the Humans Society, pet shelters, and stores to help feed dogs or cats and give out other supplies. Find places for free pet food near you.
Florida community action job, education and career services
Career Resource Centers are located in some Florida communities. They provide services to the unemployed as well as low and moderate income people. Many clients tend to fall among the hardest to employ and include people who have limited experience, training, or skills. Some people who are helped include ex-offender population, non-custodial parents, and TANF clients.
Job training is offered from programs such as the federal government Workforce Investment Act. Another option for the unemployed and people just seeking a new skill are the Florida CareerSource Job Centers. These are government funded locations that provide a number of free services to qualified residents. Individuals can use the centers to access resources such as computers and databases on open positions. Specialists from the centers will also provide career counseling to those seeking help.
- This can include information on training resources, federal government and state employment programs, educational services, help in developing networking skills and more. Community action agencies also tend to work closely with the centers. Read more on Florida free job training.
One service, Adult Services, can give assistance to the unemployed, dislocated workers, and those looking to gain a new skill. The program delivers a number of services, including On-The-Job Training, Supportive Services, Classroom Training, and Case Management. Work with a member of your community action agency for access to an assortment of resources, and clients can get a the latest job information, identify their current skills and aptitudes and more. Work with a specialist on help with resume preparation an interview skills.
The WIOA program above can also offer both so called Intensive Services and Training. Clients who have received help in the past from a community action agency, but who need additional support to obtain or retain employment, may qualify from Intensive services offered by Florida. This can include literacy training, resume review, case management, and more. Job training may be coordinated too. The client needs to already possess some form of skills and qualifications in order to complete the selected training program.
Many community action agencies coordinate Head Start programs. This federal funded resource is for low-income and working poor families with children ages 0 through 6, including those who are disabled and/or with special needs. Receive education services, meals, free health care and similar social services.
- Migrant Head Start is for immigrants and farm workers in Florida. The specialized program provides children from migrant worker families with fully comprehensive, holistic, and inclusive services including free dental, medical, nutrition, mental health, meals/nutrition, and education. Their parents can look into job training and employment services. This Head Start program and he non-profits that run it have an intensive approach to work with migrant parents to improve child health, education and their overall development.
Locations of community action agency centers in Florida
Community action agency of Broward County.
Bay County Council on Aging, Inc. helps low income families in Gulf and Bay County. The address is 1116 Frankford Avenue, Panama City, Florida 32401. Call (850) 769-3486
Financial help from Brevard County community action.
Capital Area Community Action Agency supports families in Calhoun, Franklin, Gadsden, Jefferson, Leon, and Liberty County. More on Capital Area Community Action Agency.
Central Florida Community Action Agency, Inc. is for counties of Alachua, Levy, and Marion. Learn more on Central Florida Community Action Agency assistance programs.
Community Action Program Committee, Inc - Services are available in Escambia, Okaloosa, and Santa Rosa County. Read more on Community Action Program Committee.
Help from County of Charlotte community action.
Corporation to Develop Communities of Tampa assistance programs.
Coalition of Florida Farmworker Organizations supports immigrants and farm workers across Florida. Read Coalition of Florida Farmworker Organization.
Economic Opportunities Council of Indian River County provides assistance in Okeechobee County. Click here Economic Opportunities Council of Indian River County financial resources.
Hillsborough County community action assistance.
Immokalee Multicultural Multipurpose Community Action Agency is at 210 A. South First Street, Immokalee, FL 34143. Telephone: (239) 657-2213
Lake County FL Community action agency emergency assistance programs.
Lee County Department of Human Services.
Mid Florida Community Services counties include Citrus, Hernando, Pasco, Sumter, and Volusia. Click more information Mid Florida Community Services.
Community action of Miami-Dade.
Northeast Florida Community Action Agency is for the region of Baker, Duval, Nassau, St. Johns, Clay, Flagler, and Putnam County. Read financial assistance from NFCAA.
Orange County Community Action Division financial assistance programs.
Community action agency Palm Beach County.
Pinellas Opportunity Council.
Sarasota County Health & Human Services is at 2200 Ringling Boulevard, Sarasota, FL 34237-6102. Telephone number is (941) 861-2564
Seminole County Community Assistance SCAA programs.
Step Up Suncoast (formerly known as Manatee Community Action Agency) serves the county of Manatee and nearby Hardee and Desoto County too. Continue with Step Up Suncoast grant assistance programs.
Suwannee River Economic Council, Inc. Programs are for the counties of Hamilton, Bradford, Gilchrist, Columbia, Dixie, Lafayette, Madison, Suwannee, Taylor, and Union. Click more information on Suwannee Community Action programs.
Telamon – The community action affiliated agency operates in limited portions of Florida. Find assistance programs from Telamon.
Treasure Coast Community Services Advisory Board supports multiple region. If you live in Martin, Okeechobee, or St. Lucie, call this community action agency. Find more information on help from Treasure Coast Community Services Advisory Board.
The Agricultural and Labor Program programs are for Polk County as well as portions of Hendry and Highlands Florida. More on Agricultural and Labor community action.
Tri-County Community Council counties are Holmes, Washington, Jackson, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa, and Walton. More on programs from Tri-County community action.
Volusia County Department of Community Services assistance programs.
Wakulla County Senior Citizens Council is at 33 Michael Drive, Crawfordville, Florida 32327. Telephone: (850) 926-7145
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