Kane, Beaver, and Garfield County assistance programs.
Whether you need help with paying heating or utility bills, rent, food, or other basic needs, a number of agencies and government programs operate in Garfield, Kane, and Beaver County. Thousands of struggling individuals and families are assisted every year. Sometimes they qualify for financial assistance, and some people will be provided referrals and information on social services and places to contact for help.
The community action agency for this area of Utah is the Five County Association of Governments. They offer social services and a program known as the Community Service Block Grant. Programs are offered for the low income, working poor, and people faced with poverty.
Assistance programs offered by this community action agency include shelter/housing/rent support, transportation, accessing affordable health care, employment support, and emergency financial assistance which may include food. Case Management, referrals, and advice are all provided to those who need help.
Heating assistance is offered from HEAT, which means Home Energy Assistance Target. This Utah program is the states version of LIHEAP, and it can help people pay for the increased costs of home heating bills. The Five County Association of Governments runs this service for residents of Garfield, Kane, and surrounding communities.
The program runs from November to April of every year. Any cash assistance or grants offered from HEAT are paid out just once per year, and funding is limited.
The Emergency Food and Shelter Program is paid for by the federal government and run by non-profits across the nation. It can offer help with basic needs such as food, groceries, housing, and emergency rent help. Some funds can be provided for utilities as well.
Volunteer Income Tax Assistance, or VITA, is offered across Utah as a service known as Earn It, Keep It. Save It. Another partner agency is the local Southern Utah Asset Building Coalition. Trained volunteers provide free income tax preparation services to low-income households.
The tax preparers will ensure people receive credits and refunds to which they are entitled, including the EITC. IRS approved trained volunteers will help people prepare an accurate return, where the client ultimately receives all the tax credits they qualify for. Additional services offered include referral information that help clients improve their financial stability and financial health.
Save money from the Weatherization Assistance program. Professionally trained weatherization crews provide free home energy audits. The results of this audit can lead to the weatherization program paying for crews to install insulation, make modifications to (or replace) existing heating systems, seal off air leaks and drafts, make minor repairs to ensure safety, and other improvements. Single family and mobile homes can qualify for weatherization. The average homeowners will save about $300 per year on their heating/utility bills. It is also offered for free to families in Beaver, Garfield, and Kane counties.
The Five County Association of Governments is located at 1070 W. 1600 S. Building B, St. George, Utah 84770, dial (435) 673-3548
American Red Cross can be reached at 801-373-8580. They may have limited Emergency Utilities Assistance Services offered for people faced with a disaster or crisis. Telephone Assistance for elderly and disabled individuals may also be facilitated. Most of the assistance programs administered are for Utah Power & Light (UP&L) and Questar customers, who are either individuals with a disability, the elderly, or someone who is under doctor's care. Read more Utah senior help.
Food programs
Beaver Care & Share is located at 50 South 100 East (the Old Jail), Beaver, UT 84713. Call 435-438-6266. They provide emergency food assistance.
Beaver County Food Network is another option. This agency may provide emergency food and groceries for low income households as well as referrals for other needs or government programs as they are made known to the pantry manager. Call (435) 387-2909
Milford Care & Share – Offers emergency food assistance, holiday meals, Christmas gifts for children, and more. Dial 435-387-5398.
Escalante Care & Share
75 North 100 West
Escalante, Utah 84726
Number - 435-616-4665
Panguitch Care and Share
May be able to provide free food and government commodities. They operate a local food bank and Federal Commodities Program. The center may also be able to supply a supplementary food box for local families. 87 North 50 West, Panguitch, Utah 84759, call 435-676-2509
Kanab Care & Share provides food and other aid. Click here for more information on pantries, or dial 435-691-0228
Medical care from clinics and health centers
Southwest Utah Public Health Department supports the counties of Kane, Beaver, and Garfield. Medical services offered include Immunizations, Women, Infant, and Children (WIC), Women's Cancer Screening, STD/HIV testing and treatment, and Physical Examinations. There are multiple locations including at 75 West 1175 North, Beaver, UT 84713, call (435) 438-2482 as well as 245 South 200 East, Kanab, Utah 84741, dial (435) 644-2537.
Garfield Memorial Hospital is a 24 bed Long term Care facility. There are outlying clinics in Escalante, Circleville, Cannonville and Orderville, generally open one to three days each week. They offer medical care on a sliding fee scale. Phone 435-676-8811.
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