Boone County assistance programs.Get help with bills, rent, and other expenses Energy bills
The Central Missouri Community Action (CMAC) (phone number (573) 443-8706) provides help with utility bills. There are two major components, the Energy Crisis Intervention Program (ECIP) and Energy Assistance (EA). In 2008, the CMCA organization helped almost 10,000 families pay their utilities, prevent a disconnection, or get their service turned back on. EA is a program that provides a one time payment from November to March, so it is primarily a program to help pay for heating bills. The amount of the grant paid is based upon household income, size, applicant age and if the household has a disability or not. The Energy Crisis Intervention Program offers aid in both the winter or summer. This program is to help people who have either received a disconnection notice or already have had their service turned off. Applicants to the program can receive up to $600 in the winter season and $300 during the summer season, provided there are funds available, and people can apply for than once. Rent assistance
CMAC also offers programs that can help people pay for their housing expenses as well as rent. Both short term and long term rent assistance is available. This want to ensure people are not evicted and do not want families to become homeless. Find additional ways to get rent help. Weatherization Assistance Program
All families who meet income guidelines are eligible for this program. One primary goal of the weatherization assistance program is to help those individuals and families who can’t afford to pay for their heating or utility bills install energy saving enhancements, and therefore lower their energy bills and save money. Credit, counseling and debt help.
They also provide these services, including ways to get help with debt. The goal of these additional support services is to ensure people get back on their feet long term, and learn the skills needed to get there. All the items above are just a sampling of the programs that are offered. Contact the agency to apply for any of these, or to learn more about other ways to get assistance. They are located in Boone County at 400 Wilkes Boulevard, Columbia. Free holiday and Christmas gifts
Hundreds of low-income Boone County families sign up for and receive annually for free toys and meals for the holidays and Christmas through the Voluntary Action Center’s Christmas program. Contact Columbia’s Voluntary Action Center at 573-874-2273 to learn more, apply, or to donate to the program. Rent Help and Eviction Prevention The federal government used stimulus funds to create a program called Homeless Prevention and Rapid re-Housing Program. Columbia Missouri is using its share of the stimulus money to expand its eviction prevention and homeless assistance programs. Three agencies across Boone County and Columbia will all share in the $400,000 grant from the Homeless Prevention and Rapid re-Housing Program. To of the local agencies, Lutheran Family (573 815-9955) and Children Services will get about $50,000 in funds. The money can be used to pay rent, utility bills, security deposits, and even pay for moving costs. | 
