Emergency assistance in Miami-Dade.
Community Service Centers in Miami-Dade County offer a number of emergency financial assistance as well as government grant programs. The services administered from these locations listed below are extensive, and range from free food, help for energy bills and housing assistance, including rent and mortgage payments. Find information on the various programs and resources offered by social services as well as community centers in Miami-Dade County, with all assistance also offered to Spanish speakers.
Housing – The federal government funded Emergency Food and Shelter Assistance (EFSA) program can help families and individuals across Miami who are faced with a crisis. Assistance can be utilized by people who are in a one time crisis but have shown the ability to be stable in the past. There is support for households that are in need of emergency financial assistance with various bills and issues.
There funding levels and terms change. However EFSA may be able to help with payment of monthly utility bills, mortgage and rent payments and the program also provides temporary shelter and food to the low income and needy.
Other resources and emergency assistance offered by the Miami Community Service Centers includes those listed below. The locations provide a wide variety of counseling, grant programs, and social services to economically disadvantaged families in the Miami-Dade area. The resources offered to qualified people include those noted below and the staff may also have referrals to other local programs. Or get additional information regarding the Miami-Dade Community Service Centers by dialing the main intake line at 786-469-4600.
General assistance for bills
Emergency assistance programs and the various types of financial aid offered by the Miami area Community Service Centers include:
- Elderly Home Energy Assistance (EHEAP) – Seniors over 60 can qualify for additional energy and utility bill assistance.
- Family Development
- Emergency Food and Shelter and Housing, which can pay for rent and provide free food. In some cases a government grant is used EFSA. More rental assistance Miami.
- Care To Share Energy Assistance Program
- Volunteer Income Tax Assistance – Get your state of Florida and federal government taxes filed for free.
- Family and Child Empowerment Program (FACE)
- Water Utility Assistance Program (LSIP) – Financial assistance for paying your water bill in Miami.
- Crisis Intervention
- Computer Training and Job Counseling for under or unemployed in Miami-Dade.
- Housing Assistance Grant Program (HAG) and Home Buyers Initiative – Can help pay closing costs for new homes and provide home buying support and free advice.
- After School Programs – Meals and activities for children.
- Youth Intervention
- Computer Maintenance/Repair and Networking Training Program
- Immigration Assistance, English as Second Language (ESOL) Classes and Citizenship Classes
- Lifeline and Linkup Telephone Service – Free telephones, including cell phones.
- Information and Referrals – Help in applying to government programs and non-profit agencies, and learn more about getting help from community action agencies.
Energy Conservation and Home Repair Programs - Human Services, Public Housing and Community Development, as well as your local community action agency in Miami Dade County, have partnered together to offer this service. The program can provide for upgrades and repairs in owner occupied low to moderate income single-family homes.
Many of the improvements are focused on improving the energy efficiency, including weatherization. In addition, these updates to the property are primarily geared to addressing code violations, health and safety issues, and include such actions as plumbing and electrical work, roof repairs, exterior painting, insulation, windows, and much more. Call Energy Programs office at 786-469-4730
Transportation – Senior citizens, the disabled and economically disadvantaged individuals across Miami-Dade can access transportation services for medical and dental trips and appointments. Volunteers may coordinate this. In addition, transportation is also offered by social services for children attending Head Start children and field trips for seniors.
Miami-Dade social services and the Self Help Division administer the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). The program provides emergency support to seniors, the disabled, and people for paying air conditioning and electric bills. The grants provided are for those who meet low-income standards. Both individuals and families can get help if they are experiencing a financial hardship, or if they are otherwise having difficulty with paying their gas and/or electric bills. Dial 786-469-4640 to apply, or call a community center listed above.
Crisis Energy Assistance - Provides emergency assistance to qualified low income households in resolving a home energy crisis. If you have had your utilities shut off, or if you have received a disconnection notice, then participants may be able to get emergency financial aid in paying utility bills. It is offered year round until funding runs out.
Eligible participants in LIHEAP may receive a credit of up to $600.00 on their utility bills from the LIHEAP program. The credit will be applied to existing accounts. Participants are permitted to apply twice annually during the hot Florida summer season as well as during the winter for the Crisis Energy Assistance.
LIHEAP Regular Energy Assistance- This component was created to help eligible participants with paying their monthly utility bills on an ongoing bases, as long as they are qualified. The government will also try to help them pay the ever increasing monthly costs. Miami families can receive up to a $300 credit on their bills. The Regular Energy Assistance program is restricted to once a year; and all clients who participate need to continue to pay their utility bill while the credit is being processed.
Applying for emergency help from Miami-Dade County community centers
The financial assistance programs and self-sufficiency services listed above can be offered. There may be other resources as well, and all assistance and applications are available in Spanish as well. The following Miami Community Service Centers accept applications and distribute financial aid or cash grants.
- Liberty City Community Service Center, 6100 N.W. 7 Avenue, Miami, Florida 33127, phone (305) 756-2830
- Isaac. W. Withers Community Service Center, 21300 S.W. 122 Avenue, Miami, FL 33170, telephone number (305) 233-2121
- Accion Community Service Center, 858 West Flagler Street, Miami, Florida 33130, call (305) 547-4892
- Caleb Center, 5400 N.W. 22 Avenue, #306, Miami, Florida 33147, 305-636-2296
- Coconut Grove (Frankie Shannon Rolle Center), 3750 South Dixie Highway, Miami, FL 33133, dial 305-446-3311
- Culmer, 1600 N.W. 3 Ave, Miami. FL 33136, main number 305-438-4161
- Edison, 150 N.W. 79 Street, Miami, Florida 33150, telephone: 305-758-9662
- Florida City / Homestead, 1600 NW 6 Court, 305-247-2068
- Goulds (Withers Center), 21300 SW 122 Avenue, Miami, Florida 33170, main phone 305-233-2121
- Hialeah, 300 East First Avenue, Hialeah, FL 33010, call 305-884-4801
- Miami Beach, 3 Sixth Street, Miami Beach, FL 33139, call the center at 305-672-1705
- Miami Gardens (Opa-locka), 16405 NW 25th Avenue, Room 102, Miami, FL 33054, main phone 305-623-6500
- Sweetwater Community Service Center, 250 SW 114th Avenue, Miami, FL 33174, call 305-207-5377
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