Public assistance and government aid Pierce County Washington.
Residents of Pierce County Washington can receive access to government assistance for a variety of needs. Social services and public assistance can help residents by providing them with food, energy bill help, homeless prevention, and even assistance like home repairs. Find how to apply for public assistance from DSHS in Tacoma below, including SNAP food stamps, cash aid, and more.
Pierce County housing, rent, and shelter programs are run in partnership with the non-profit Associated Ministries. Together they have created a new centralized housing intake and referral system for individuals and families who are at risk of eviction, who need help with rent, or who are currently experiencing homelessness. Both public and private resources and agencies can be called upon in these cases.
The service is known as Access Point 4 Housing, and it can provide residents with a single, trusted access point to which people can be referred to for case management, emergency rental help, social services, assessment, emergency shelter or transitional housing.
All renters and individuals who need homelessness prevention services, rent help, rapid rehousing, or low income housing or shelter services will be referred to and processed through this centralized intake system. They will then be matched with a local organization or charity in Pierce County Washington that is best suited to the household’s needs. Some people may be referred to federal government or public assistance. In addition, Access Point 4 Housing also offers a number of homelessness prevention and financial assistance services, such as rent, utility, eviction prevention and other assistance.
The Pierce County Washington Energy Services Programs are committed to assisting low income and other qualified households with meeting their financial burdens. The county can refer people to financial and public assistance for fuel, mortgage, rent, education and the installation of energy conservation materials including weatherization. Learn about, and get help applying for government public programs like LIHEAP and weatherization.
The Energy Assistance Program can offer a direct payment to the vendor / energy provider on the client's behalf, with a focus on heating bills. This program operates during the fall and winter, from November through April, which is the state of Washington heating season. As with most programs, resources are limited, and unfortunately not all families requesting financial assistance are able to receive it.
All public funded and cash benefit payments are based on factors including the household’s income as well as the eligible household's actual fuel usage for the past twelve months. All applicants and recipients of the assistance will receive education and information on energy conservation (weatherization), budgeting, utility payment plans, and other government assistance.
Basic Food Program – This government program is for individuals and families in Pierce County, and it is a food and nutrition program that enables people to obtain a nutritious diet. At one point in time it was known as public assistance/Food Stamp Program. Qualified families will be given a voucher card to use to buy food at participating grocery stores and retailers.
Housing programs in Pierce County
Get help buying a home from the Pierce County Down Payment Assistance Loan program. This government resource makes funding and low interest rate mortgages available to assist lower to moderate income households that can qualify for a mortgage but who just lack the funds that may be needed for the down payment to purchase an affordable home in Pierce County. The aid is really targeted at those families who live outside the Lakewood city limits as well as Tacoma. Another option is the First-Time Homebuyers Program, which is another type of homeownership program available through a variety of Housing Programs.
Access home repair services to address emergency safety and health issues in the home from a resource known as the Emergency/Minor Home Repair Program. A maximum cash grant of one thousand dollars ($1,000) is available for repair assistance to eligible households. Not only that, the Pierce County housing team also provides assistance, guidance, and referrals to other public resources to clients through all stages of their home rehabilitation and repairs.
HOME Rehabilitation Loan Program is a much more extensive home repair program. It can provide federal government funded and backed loans of up to $60,000 for qualified low-income homeowners in Pierce County to improve their housing conditions and living situation. The focus of this home repair and housing program is on rehabilitation and any safety issues first, not remodeling of the home. Both safety and health issues are dealt with from this government funded resource.
Other services can help homeowners who have received notice from the Tacoma/Pierce County Health Department that their water supply or septic system is not in compliance with County regulations. These individuals may be eligible for cash assistance through this grant program. Their housing team provides various forms of financial assistance and social services to clients through all stages of rehabilitation of their home.
How to apply for public assistance in Pierce County and Tacoma
To learn more or to apply for assistance, dial 253-798-4500 or 877-501-2233.
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