Allegan County assistance programs.
The services and programs below are all offered by the Community Action of Allegan. Long term residents of the region may refer to it as the Allegan County Resource Development Committee. In either case, this is the local non-profit community action agency. At the bottom you will also find other agencies that can provide financial help for bills, rent, foreclosure assistance, food, and other aid. The organizations work together in an effort to help the unemployed, poor, and less fortunate.
Heating and utility bill assistance
The community action agency can help people with paying their energy bills. ACRDC partners with the state of Michigan and the federal government to offer aid. They receive cash grants from these agencies which provides the needed funding to provide utility bill assistance to low to moderate income residents, the disabled, the elderly and others of Allegan County. If you think you may qualify for aid, and need assistance, be sure to have the following records and items before completing the application for help. You must have a shut-off or disconnect notice or letter of non-delivery from their fuel provider stating they are cash on delivery customer. You will also need to have proof of the gross income for the entire household. Or you can apply with a decision notice from the Department of Human Services.
Food pantry and aid
The community action agency partners with the Allegan Ministerium Central Food Pantry. The pantry itself is a non-profit charity organization. It was created to purchase and distribute food items only to people in need of help. Needy families and individuals who live within the Allegan Michigan area may receive temporary food assistance through the Central Food Pantry. Groceries and other household items may be provided from time to time. Read more on food banks and pantries.
Michigan Weatherization
Save hundreds of dollars per year on your heating and utility bills from the weatherization program that is administered by the Allegan County Resource Development Committee, and funded by the U.S. Department of Energy. The main goal of the Weatherization Assistance program is to help people conserve energy, and the program is the nation’s main method of delivering energy efficiency services and savings to low-income and other qualified households.
The program works as follows. Professionally trained weatherization crews will make an appointment to visit your home, and they will perform onsite home energy audits using state of the art equipment. They will identify areas of your home that need improvement, and locate outside drafts, and they will also inspect heating and cooling systems for efficiency. After the audit has been complete, the weatherization crews will install energy conserving insulation, make modifications to (or replace) existing heating systems, seal off air leaks, and also make minor repairs to the home or heating unit to ensure safety. Once these updates are installed in the home, these energy saving measures will help to reduce your heating and cooling costs for years to come by hundreds of dollars.
If you need help or want to apply for assistance, call the non-profit organization known as the Community Action of Allegan at (269) 673-5472 to learn more. More details on resources are available too, and click here for details.
Financial help in Allegan County Michigan
Another charity/church organization to call is Christian Neighbors Southeast. They are based in Plainwell, Michigan, and can be reached at 269.685.4166. Counselors from this agency can offer advice and guidance with real life financial issues. Get free counseling for budgeting, credit counseling, debt reduction and wise shopping. On the other hand, some of the direct financial assistance offered can be used for food. They also administer emergency financial assistance in the areas of utilities, rent evictions and limited medical Financial Counseling.
Get information on Michigan mortgage assistance programs too, and general support and advice in getting through the confusing maze of government (both federal and state) programs. Also apply for the MI Bridge card (food stamps) as well as the federal government Medicare/Medicaid Part “D” Health Assistance.
Tenants that are struggling can apply for rental assistance. While financial aid is limited, and priority may be for the vulnerable such as seniors or families with an income, everything from a grant to legal aid can be used to stop an eviction in Allegan County. There may also be vouchers for a hotel or money for security deposits. Find additional rent help in Allegan County.
Get information on both rental, foreclosure, and mortgage programs from Housing Resource Center. The main office is in Allegan Michigan. Call 269.686.2100. It is a great place to call to learn about solutions to any housing crisis that you may be facing. Limited rental assistance is administered.
Love Inc. of Northwest Allegan runs a food pantry. Among other things, it offers dry goods, frozen meat, canned fruit and vegetables, soups, juices, snack foods, breads, eggs, condiments and much more. US Department of food guidelines are also followed. Call (269) 751-2533
Free food in Allegan County
There are several organizations to call upon for help. The goal of each agency is to help prevent hunger in the region. Some of what a family may find include free Christmas meals or toys for their children, an emergency bag of groceries, or seniors may also receive Meals on Wheels. Some of the leading food banks are as follows.
- Allegan Central Pantry on 323 Water Street. Call (269) 673-5472
- The community action agency can help families apply for SNAP food stamps or offer referrals. Phone (269) 673-5472.
- There are many other charities to call upon. Find food pantries in Allegan.
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