Public assistance and government aid in Palm Beach County.
Many of the government and public resources are offered by the Palm Beach Community Action Program or the Division of Senior Services. The county is also part of ACCESS Florida, which also offers benefits. Government funded assistance programs are focused on low income families, seniors, and the disabled across the county.
Self-sufficiency and Emergency Services may be available to families and individuals who meet income thresholds and who live independently in the community. Many individuals may need access to public assistance to help them maximize their ability to gain, regain and/or maintain self-sufficiency, and to also pay their bills and living expenses. Government case managers can direct qualified individuals or families to social services and resources that can both remediate and remove barriers that prevent the achievement of economic self-sufficiency over the midterm. Some of the emergency services and public assistance can include Bus Passes, Rent and Utility Payments; Indigent Burial/Cremation; Food Vouchers; and general information and referrals.
The county is committed to helping Palm Beach families and individuals pay for their bills and basic needs over the short term, and become self-sufficient as time goes on. They coordinate available resources and programs so that low-income people can get their needs met. More self-sufficiency services include:
- Employment Support – Helping finding a job in Palm Beach County or the surrounding region.
- Tax Assistance – Learn about both state and federal government tax credits.
- Utility Assistance if faced with a disconnection.
- Housing Assistance, including information on rental assistance, low income public housing and foreclosure help.
- Access to Food & Nutrition, including food stamps and other public assistance.
The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) can provide financial assistance to Palm Beach families, and help people address high-energy costs and bills with the objective of preventing service disconnection for families and individuals for people in crisis. Apply for public aid and cash grants for paying electric and cooling bills. Call or stop by the nearest Community Action Service Center to apply for LIHEAP.
The Palm Beach County PASS Program can help income qualified individuals or families who are seeking help achieve self-sufficiency and become less dependent on government assistance and public aid. Social services offered include Employment & Professional Development; Family support; Financial Management and Asset Enhancement; Education and Health Management. Dial (561) 355-4792.
Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) can offer low-income families with free preparation and filing of their federal and state of Florida tax returns.
Food assistance is offered by Community Action. The county can distribute free nonperishable food items to low income families, seniors, and disabled on a regular basis. Some of the groceries and food included can be rice, macaroni, beans, canned fruits and vegetables, and apple sauce. Additional government surplus fresh fruits and vegetables are available during the peak farming seasons.
The Farmworker Program can offering seasonal and migrant farm workers the opportunity to gain the training, education, and on-the-job experience necessary to make the transition to a stable, productive career. They can be directed to public assistance and various Palm Beach Florida area social services.
Head Start can assist by promoting the school readiness of disadvantaged and low-income children by enhancing their social, cognitive, and emotional development in a learning environment. The goal is to increase and support children's growth in mathematics, language, literacy, science, social and emotional functioning, creative arts, and physical skills.
The state run Early Head Start program provides early, continuous, intensive and comprehensive family support services and child development services on a year-round basis to low-income families to enhance the physical, social, intellectual, and emotional development of toddlers and infants from birth to age three and pregnant women.
Palm Beach Division of Senior Services', or DOSS, primary mission is to provide high-quality and accessible social services and public aid to help seniors 60 and older attain optimal independence. The county wants to promote quality of life for seniors across the county and their caregivers. The government DOSS organization provides the following program.
- They offer qualified people with the Emergency Home Energy Assistance for the Elderly Program (EHEAP) which assists low-income households with paying air conditioning and energy bills. Families need to have at least one (1) individual age sixty (60) and older and the applicant needs to be experiencing a home energy crisis.
- Seniors and retirees in Palm Beach County can also apply for ACCESS Florida medical benefits. The state offers Medicaid as well as Medicare to the elderly, low income, and older adults. More on ACCESS FL.
Free food and meals are delivered to seniors age sixty (60) and older who cannot shop for food, are unable to prepare their own meals, and people do not have anyone to prepare meals or shop for them.
Both former and current members of the military and Armed Forces who reside in Palm Beach County can look into help as well, including ACCESS Florida. Meet with a case worker to learn about social services and public aid including preparing and filing claims for government benefits for which they are entitled under federal, state of Florida, and local laws. Both survivors and dependents of present or former members of the Armed Forces may be eligible for these various government services, including Home Loan Benefits; Health Care and Disability Benefits; Disability Pensions; and Burial Benefits.
The Homeless and Housing Alliance (HHA) of Palm Beach County was created to deliver a comprehensive and coordinated continuum of services for homeless families and individuals. The housing assistance basic components include homeless prevention and rent help, outreach and assessment, transitional housing, emergency shelter, supportive services, permanent supportive housing, and also help finding permanent housing and apartments.
Also work with a case manager to apply for public assistance and social services. The HHA works closely with community-based membership with representatives from government, business, banking, formerly homeless individuals, law enforcement, charities, housing service providers, faith groups, education, veterans, health care, and concerned individuals in the community.
Burial and Indigent Cremation Program is offered in Palm Beach. This provides the low income and working poor with dignified burial/cremation. Assistance is offered to citizens who meet the eligibility requirements, including income.
Utility bill assistance can be offered from FPL Care to Share. This energy program can offer various resources and services to individuals/families in crisis that need assistance with paying their electric bill through external funding sources. This service includes the administration of grants and services from the FPL Care To Share Program.
Applying for public assistance in Palm Beach County
For more on public aid in Palm Beach County, call the Department of Community Services. The address is 810 Datura Street, West Palm Beach, FL 33401. Main phone number is 561-355-4700.
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