Heating, utility, and rent help

The Berkshire Community Action Council has received a grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency to help with housing expenses. The agency provides one-time cash grants and funds to be used for emergency assistance such as money for the payment of rental arrears for those facing eviction, funds for utility and heating bill assistance to those in imminent danger of shutoff of their service, or the money can also be used to provide food assistance for those who have no other resources. The funds from the grant program are usually limited and not always available to everyone who applies for help for these bills and expenses. Eligibility recipients must prove that their situation is an emergency and that they have no other means.

Another option is known as the Fuel Assistance program, which provides eligible individuals and households with help, including cash and free heating fuel, for paying winter heating bills. The assistance program pays benefits up to a fixed dollar amount based on the applicants total household income. An additional benefit is also available to qualified households having a higher than average energy burden and energy bills. Also learn about how to get free heating oil. More.

Heating system repair and conservation programs

Two different components for Pittsfield area families include the Heartwap as well as the Weatherization program.

Heartwap is a maintenance program that is offered in the state that deals with heating systems and the program also has a preventative maintenance component as it offers an emergency “no heat” service for qualified families. This assistance program not only evaluates the applicants heating system for efficiency, but Heatwap also cleans tunes and repairs both gas and oil heating systems. the program also provides for the replacement of entire heating systems, if needed, for the applicant.

The other option is weatherization, which is a federally funded energy conservation program that is designed to save heating dollars and reduce energy bills by increasing the energy efficiency of homes.

Call the Berkshire Community Action Council to learn about all the services listed above. Dial (413) 445-4503.

 

 

Financial assistance from non-profits in Berkshire County

Catholic Charities - Berkshire County - The non-profit offers county residents the following services and resources to needy families and individuals. Get access to groceries from food pantries, rent payment assistance, home delivered meals, transitional housing/shelter, heating and electric bill payment assistance, gas bill payment assistance, general used or new clothing and career development and job finding services. (413) 452 - 0605

Construct, Inc. runs a rent assistance and homeless prevention program. This includes direct financial aid and grants to assist households with paying back-rent or providing help for other financial crises that might jeopardize their stability in housing. Homelessness Prevention will provide applicants with rent payment assistance, homeless financial assistance programs, personal finances/budget counseling, debt reduction, and case/care management. Great Barrington Massachusetts. Call (413) 528 - 1985, or click here for more rent, HUD and housing programs.

Salvation Army - Berkshire County, which is located in Pittsfield, provides services and resources to the low income that include food pantries, rent and housing payment assistance, heating, gas and electric bill payment assistance, holiday gifts and Christmas baskets, thanksgiving baskets and prescription expense assistance. Call (413) 442 - 0624.

Christian Center of Pittsfield can offer emergency services, including thanksgiving baskets, clothing, prescription expense assistance, holiday adoption programs, information on assistance programs, holiday donations, holiday gifts/toys, and comprehensive information and referral to charities and non-profits. Phone (413) 443 - 2828.

Foreclosure prevention and mortgage help

Western MA Foreclosure Education Center - The location offers mortgage assistance and counselors can provides at-risk homeowners with foreclosure prevention counseling and a variety of support services to prevent housing loss. They can direct people to Massachusetts HUD agencies as well. Dial (413) 233 - 1622.

Low cost or free medical assistance programs, dental and health care

Volunteers in Medicine - The Berkshire clinic operates a medical community clinic, a dental care clinic and provides mental health services. The center also provides free preventive healthcare services to low income qualified and uninsured patients with an all volunteer, professional staff. Call (413) 528 - 4014.

Neighborhood Health Center serves Berkshire County. Health care services offered to qualified patients includes diagnosis and treatment of adult illnesses; blood pressure;; checkups; health education; diabetes, and general health promotion; and even pregnancy testing. Pittsfield Massachusetts. Call (413) 447 - 2351

Community Health Programs is open 24 hours a day. The community clinic provides comprehensive health care to individuals and families of all ages, regardless of ability to pay and regardless of their health insurance status. Members of our provider team are board-certified in Family Practice and Pediatrics, Internal Medicine, and medical professionals can also provide preventive, acute and ongoing medical care for adults and elders, infants, and children. Call (413) 447 - 2351 to make an appointment or learn more. Also click here for additional free health care services.

Food programs

Get free food and other non-monetary support from the following - Community Bible Church ((413) 458 - 5556), First Baptist Church of Pittsfield ((413) 445 - 4539) offers meals and groceries, and The Guild of Saint Agnes (Call (413) 684 - 0125), and People's Pantry.