Buchanan County assistance programs.

Get help and find resources for rent, bills, housing, and other expenses

Low and moderate income people who live in Northwest Missouri and Buchanan County can turn to the  Community Action Partnership of Greater St. Joseph. They have numerous services and programs for people who are struggling in this weak economy as well as other low-income persons. They assist over 16,000 people across the region each and every year.

Utility and heating bill assistance from Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program

• Everyday, Basic Assistance
  This is a component of the federally funded energy bill assistance program. It will help those people who have a low income. You do not need to have a disconnect notice to benefit from this program. It will provide grants and other assistance for utility bills. Even free fans can be provided for the summertime.
• Emergency Assistance
  This will help people who are facing imminent disconnection, those who have run out of fuel, and those who currently have a disconnect notice. To receive assistance from this crisis component, which will provide funds for heating, utility, and gas bills, applicants must be facing a crisis.
• Reaching Higher program
  A limited amount of utility and heating bill assistance is available from this program which is offered by the Community Action Partnership of Greater St. Joseph. To receive help from this program, the applicant needs to be employed to qualify for Reaching Higher. In addition, the applicant must have a plan for reaching economic stability over the longer term.

Rent Assistance

If you are facing an eviction, the agency has funds from the federal government’s Homeless Prevention and Rapid Re-housing Program. They distribute money that will provide temporary rental assistance to prevent families from being evicted and becoming homeless. The families applying need to have some source of income, no matter how limited. Services offered as part of this program and that will be included are funds for rental assistance, grants to pay for security and utility deposits, first months rent, and more. Participants and applicants will be expected to participate in financial literacy classes that are aimed to teach them how to spend their money wisely. For example, credit and debt counseling, credit repairs, and other classes.

 

 

 

Debt Counseling and Financial Literacy

The community action agency also strives to ensure people are self sufficient over the long term. In order to help meet that goal, they provide various counseling resources. They provide services to those who have a lack of knowledge about credit card debt, budgeting and money management. The lack of those skill can keep families from progressing toward self-sufficiency over the long term. Various credit counseling, budgeting, debt settlement, and money management classes are offered throughout the course of the year, regardless of someone’s income. So all people can get advice.

Employment Assistance and Counseling

Another option is the Missouri Career Center. They partner with the community action agency, and they  plan to offer specialized classes, career counseling, GED completion courses, job training, and help with resumes. Hundreds of people may be able to benefit from this program.

They are located at 817 Monterey Street St. Joseph, MO 64503. Stop by to learn more about their assistance programs, or feel free to call them at (816) 233-8281.