Tulsa County assistance programs

Find resources and services that help with bills

If you are one of the millions of Americans struggling in this weak economy, four local organizations in the Tulsa area can provide help. The Community Action Project of Tulsa County, Inc., the Salvation Army, Boston Avenue Helping Hands, and the Oklahoma Department of Human Services provide resources and programs that can help with utility bills, prescription medications, rent, and more. Some of the programs, and their contact information, is listed below.

Utility Bill Assistance

• The Salvation Army has emergency financial assistance, which is a year-round program that will assist Tulsa county residents who are experiencing short term difficulty in meeting their basic financial needs, including funding for utility bills and grants to help pay rent.
   
• The Oklahoma Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) will provide residents with grants for winter heating bills, summer cooling, energy crisis, and/or weatherization services and other energy-related home repair assistance to qualified low to moderate income households in the area. Weatherization assistance will help families reduce their energy bills, as the assistance program will install, for free, upgrades to peoples home, such as insulation, new windows, caulking, and more. LIHEAP will provide people with cash grants that can be used to pay utility bills.
   
• Boston Avenue Helping Hands may also be able to provide you with funds for utility bills

Free Income Tax Preparation

• The Community Action Project of Tulsa County employees IRS-certified and trained tax preparers who will assist families and individuals with preparation of their income taxes, in particular simple federal and state tax forms. Their goal is also to help maximize your refunds by filing for all appropriate benefits and tax credits (such as the Child Tax Credit and EITC). They will also file your return electronically so that you will get your refund as soon as possible. In addition, you may also choose to have your refund deposited directly into your bank or checking account to further speed up the process.

Financial Services

• The Community Action Project offers a number of assistance programs that provide guidance and financial counseling to low-income families on such matters as debt counseling, access to public benefits and scholarships, budgeting and money-management, opportunities for home ownership, advice on mortgages and foreclosure, and the dangers of posed by predatory lenders and payday loans.

Rent Assistance, Prescription Drugs, and Energy Bills

• A few local charities and organizations have assistance programs for several different types of expenses. All of these organizations will from time to time will have funding for rent assistance, prescription drugs, utility bills, and more. Contact them for more information or to apply. The organization include Restore Hope Ministries (918-582-5766), Boston Avenue Helping Hands, Inc. (918-582-1356), and Western Neighbors, Inc. (918-445-8840).

The Community Action Project of Tulsa County is located at 4606 South Garnett, Suite 100, Tulsa, Oklahoma 74146, Ph (918) 382-3200. The Salvation Army contact information is 918-582-7201. The Oklahoma Department of Human Services contact information is (405) 521-3444.

Emergency Financial Assistance

In addition to the Tulsa Salvation Army branch (contact information is above) another organization is Sand Springs Community Services (phone 245-5183). They have as their main goal the mission of providing temporary assistance to people facing a crisis. Eligible applicants can get immediate help to deal with their crisis. People can get assistance for paying their rent and housing expenses, utility bills, free food, services, access to other non-profit resources, education and referrals to Oklahoma and federal government assistance programs.

Another agency that administers programs is the Wagoner Area Neighbors. They provide emergency financial assistance for bills, food, clothing, and information on other Tulsa charities and non-profit organizations. Call them at 485-2309.

Another agency that funds many local non-profits is the Tulsa United Way. While they can’t give you cash themselves, they can refer you to local agencies that may be able to satisfy your need. Call them at (918) 295-6601 for more information.