Greater Opportunities for Broome and Chenango, Inc. assistance programs in New York.
Most of the programs from Greater Opportunities for Broome and Chenango County are federally funded, and they include section 8, Home Energy Assistance Program, WIC, and others. The non-profit agency can help low income families apply for those benefits, and also help clients get back on the patch to self-sufficiency.
Food assistance from Chenango and Broome Community Action
The Federal Government Supplemental Food Program for Women, Infants, and Children, commonly called WIC, provides nutritious foods to pregnant, and post partum women, as well as children up to age five. There are different types of groceries and food from WIC, and it provides checks or vouchers that may be redeemed for bread, cheese, milk, eggs, peanut butter, beans, juice, cereal, baby food and cereal, and formula. The vouchers are used at participating local grocery stores in Chenango County.
In addition to the food, WIC also provides education in regard to good nutrition, healthy eating habits, shopping for groceries using pricing, and referrals to other community resources. Eligibility is based on income, with benefits available to families that meet the targets. Food checks are redeemed at the local grocery store, such as Wegmans or Wal-Mart, for the goods. WIC application services are available at several locations throughout Chenango County; the largest location is in Norwich. Other available application sites from the community action agency include New Berlin, Afton, Sherburne, Greene and Bainbridge.
Opportunities for Chenango housing, utility and rent help
Free HUD Housing Counseling is available through Opportunities for Chenango and Quaranta Housing Services. Counselors from the two non-profits receive training in foreclosure intervention through the NeighborWorks America Training Institute. They then work closely with clients who own their home and mortgage providers to arrive at agreements that suit both parties.
For the best results, the agencies will recommend people call their bank as soon as there is any indication that they might miss a mortgage payment. The next step is to contact a housing counselor. While Quaranta Housing Services does not have the money to provide people with direct financial assistance for a mortgage payment, they do offer help in other ways. The agency will have extensive knowledge of available options in regard to default and foreclosure, and they work with clients to help them get back on track with their home loans.
The Housing Choice Voucher program (Section 8) helps low to moderate-income families and individuals find safe, adequate housing in Chenango. The resource provides monthly money to assist on rental payments, basing benefit amounts on family size and income. Participating landlords agree to maintain the homes or apartments being leased according to HUD housing quality standards for health and safety.
Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) provides qualifying residents with financial assistance with heating utility bills. Grants are available from Greater Opportunities for Broome and Chenango for all sorts of costs, including those for propane, natural gas, wood, electricity, kerosene, coal, or other heating fuels. HEAP also replaces or repairs faulty heating equipment to ensure that homes, especially those of seniors, are kept warm.
The Emergency Benefit of HEAP assists qualifying low-income residents who face a heating-related crisis, but lack the resources to resolve the issues or pay the bills on their own. Also, as noted, the Heating Equipment Repair or Replacement component is for low-income homeowners with repair or replacement of furnaces, boilers, and other direct components. Priority is for the elderly, seniors, and single parents that are necessary to keep the home's primary heating source functional.
Weatherization is a state of New York effort to reduce energy costs by improving the efficiency of the homes. Opportunities for Chenango will offer this to low-income and working poor residents, with priority given to the elderly, those with disabilities, and families with children.
Measures provided from this free conservation service may include insulation of various areas of the home; furnace inspection; refrigerator replacement; repairs or weatherization of windows and doors and more. To learn about weatherization, and other programs for tenants, homeowners and landlords, call the agency.
Free items for low income families
Back on the Rack will provide, for free, good quality used clothing and household items to the general public. It is a clothing closet / thrift store combination. Back on the Rack II also offers an opportunity for families to gain training and experience in retailing, including in skills such as customer service, cashiering, and merchandising. This learning experience working at the center provides trainees with the ability to compete successfully and gain some skills for the local job market.
The community action agency in Chenango County also helps families with other basic needs. There are a few ways they do this, whether for free or small charges. Some are done in partnership with other agencies as well, both government or charity. There are websites to use to locate resources, smart phone apps, newspapers, and many other. One source is using websites to find free stuff.
Location of Greater Opportunities for Broome and Chenango agency for applying
Many other social services may be offered, whether grants, loans, or free stuff. For more information, call 607-334-7114. Greater Opportunities for Broome and Chenango, Inc is located at 44 West Main St., Norwich, New York 13815-0470
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