Charleston Assistance Programs.

Housing and Energy Bill Assistance

Get rent, mortgage, and utility bill assistance in Charleston South Carolina from the Shelternet program. It was created almost 20 years ago and it provides assistance to an average of 1000 people per year. The program relies on the support of about 100 service agencies that are located throughout the Charleston area.

They provide a variety of aid, including grants to help pay rent, low income housing, ways to get help with paying utility bills, and more. They are one of the top organizations in the Charleston area. Contact them at (843) 856-4125.

Foreclosure Clinics

Homeowners who are facing a foreclosure, or who are behind on their mortgage, can receive free legal advice and counseling from a clinic that is offered 4 times per month. Read more.

Weatherization Assistance

Charleston County Human Services Commission (phone (843) 724-6760) offers this federal government funded program. It offers low to moderate income households free energy saving upgrades to their homes. For example, homeowners may be able to receive additional floor and wall insulation, weather stripping, caulking, and other updates. All of the improvements are free to applicants, and they can help people reduce their utility bills by hundreds of dollars per year.

Job Training and Employment

Project Pride (phone number 843-724-6760) is another resource. The goal is to remove barriers to employment by providing the necessary resources for low-income residents of Berkeley, Charleston, and Dorchester counties. For example, they can provide applicants with some job skills, access to computers and other equipment to find jobs, resume review and more. The goal is to help people succeed in the job search or job application process. Contact the Charleston County Human Services Commission for information on this program as well.

 

 

 

Charleston South Carolina Area Charities

There are a variety of other charities and non-profit organizations in the Charleston area. They include.

• Association for the Blind: This group pays for the purchase of prescription eyeglasses for needy residents of greater Charleston. (843) 723-6915.
   
• Berkeley Seniors Inc.: Provides for the purchase of meals and other food assistance for eligible homebound seniors in Berkeley County. (843) 761-0390.
   
• Carolina Hearing Aid Bank: Grants and funds for the purchase of hearing aids for those who cannot afford them and are not served by any other agency or government program
   
• Charleston Jewish Social Services: Financial support, cash grants and low interest loans for medical needs, housing and other emergency bills for the needy in Charleston, no matter what your religion. Dial (843) 571-6565.
   
• My Sister's Smile/My Neighbor's Smile: Offers dental services, cleaning, and more for victims of domestic violence.
   
• Old Fort Baptist Church - CIFC Program: Has an on site medical clinic and food pantry.
   
• Operation Home: Program that provides for the repair and upgrades to the home of people on very low incomes.
   
• Rural Mission Inc.: This charity offers emergency home repairs and updates for the needy living in unsafe conditions and expansion of the mission's home repair and maintenance education program. Phone (843) 768-1720.

 

 

Emergency Financial Aid

If you or your family is facing a hardship, East Cooper Community Outreach (849.9220) offers several assistance programs.

• They offer food, clothing, and financial assistance for rent and utility bills.
• Dental services and cleanings are also offered for low income and needy residents.
• Free health care and medications. Community Outreach runs the Med-I-Assist program, which partners with pharmaceutical patient assistance programs (PAPs) and provides needy people with free medications.

Another non-profit agency to turn to for help is Tricounty Family Ministries. This organization runs offers several services and resources. They provide medical care, food assistance, free clothing, counseling and referrals to federal government and South Carolina programs, transportation, shelter, financial assistance for rent and utility bills, and other vital services to the less fortunate in the Tricounty area. 747-1788.

The Charleston County Human Services Commission (843-724-6760) may have limited financial assistance to help people pay utility bills, rent, and other expenses. They also run the federal government funded LIHEAP program.

Our Lady of Mercy Community Outreach – Programs cover Johns, James, and Wadmalaw Island residents only. Some of the resources include prescription expense assistance, a free food pantry, GED prep classes. In addition, apply for financial assistance at most every year (12 months). Help for utilities such as water, electric, and sewer bills. They also run a Benefit Bank Site, in which a counselor can help clients to determine if they are eligible for government programs such as Medicaid, SNAP (food stamps), TANF, and Children's Health Insurance. 1684 Brownswood Rd., Johns Island, South Carolina 29455, dial (843) 559-4109

Crisis Ministries – A resource known as Project Prevent can help with paying rent and offer funds for utility bill assistance if you have a shut-off notice or eviction notice. A primary health clinic is also on site. 573 Meeting St., Charleston, South Carolina 29403, call (843) 723-9477

Telamon Corporation – Trident – Supports only migrant workers. The non-profit organizations provides assistance for migrant workers with providing food, groceries, employment opportunities, gas/bus fare, job training, and rent and utility help. Trident One Stop Center, 1930 Hanahan Rd. St 200, Charleston, SC 29406, call (843) 574-1864

Trident Area Agency on Aging – Like most agencies, very limited funds. When funding permits may have rent and/or mortgage assistance. Programs are for people over 60 and their families. Can provide specific information and referral for senior citizens and disabled people, and offers facilities such as the benefit bank. 1360 Truxtun Ave., Ste. 105, Charleston, South Carolina 29405, telephone (843) 554-2275

Carolina Children's Charity – The charity organization provides financial assistance with bills and expenses to families with children with birth defects and/or childhood diseases. Can assist qualified people with services related to child's birth defect/disease, e.g., prescription medication, health and medical care, therapies, equipment, prescription eyeglasses, etc. 1064 Gardner Road, Ste. 112B, Charleston, South Carolina 29407, call (843) 769-7555

Salvation Army Service Unit - Charleston County - Assistance programs provides financial assistance with providing clothing, free food (no food assistance if receiving food stamps), rent help (5 days from due date, due now or late), household and personal items, The Benefit Bank site, cooling bills and utilities (utility bill must be late, disconnect notice, be or already disconnected). Note that the applicant needs to have some income (job, self employed, disability, etc.) to receive financial assistance as these are not charity programs.  Documentation of a significant decrease in one's income in the last 60 days is required as well for help. (843) 747-5271

Low income housing, rent help, and shelter - Low income families and individuals can receive housing assistance from non-profits and government programs. Services range from emergency rent help to assistance in finding safe, affordable housing units. Find listing of Charleston housing and rent programs.

Foreclosure and mortgage help in Charleston

Homeowners in Charleston South Carolina can call Foreclosure Counseling Program at (888) 320-0350. This housing/foreclosure program helps clients and homeowners throughout the county determine what strategies are best for their situation to prevent foreclosure and save their home. The HUD certified housing/financial counselors will discuss these strategies, and all available options, and develop a plan to get people back on track with their mortgage payments. Get advice and methods to address other financial issues as well, such as credit card debt, budgeting, etc. Homeowners can be linked with an attorney from a variety of public assistance programs, non-profit law firms or pro bono legal sources to help them during the foreclosure crisis. Learn about all federal government and South Carolina mortgage help programs. Read more SC mortgage and foreclosure programs.

Another option is Consumer Credit Counseling Services - Trident Area, which helps Charleston SC homeowners and consumers. Receive debt assistance, information on mortgage assistance programs, and debt management plans. (843) 735-7802

Legal aid and services

If you need help with a civil legal issue, Charleston Pro Bono Legal Services, Inc. offers clients intake services, and the legal programs are for low-income Charleston County residents. Attorneys can provide free help with Housing (Landlord/Tenant and Mortgage Foreclosure Defaults), Predatory Lending and Education, Rent eviction advice, and Family Issues. All the programs are for civil legal issues, and the non-profit firm gives free legal advice and counsel on those issues. Click here to learn more, or call the firm at 843-853-6456.

Food programs

Lowcountry Food Bank, Inc. provides free food and groceries to thousands of families per year. They partner with other local charities and food distribution centers to distribute the food. Call the food bank at (843) 747-8146.

• Tricounty Family Ministries Food and Clothing Services provides food and clothing, diapers, baby formulas, and more. (843) 747-1788.
• Market Assembly Church Food Pantry ((843) 821-2600) runs a food pantry.
• Evening of Prayer Food Pantry, which can be reached at (843) 747-7722, is another place to turn to for free food and meals.
• If those locations can’t help you, find more Charleston County South Carolina food pantries.

Community and medical clinics

North Charleston Harvest Free Medical Clinic - Is a free medical clinic. (843) 747-3526. Click here for other ways to get help with medical bills, including alternative for free medical care from facilities such as Wal Greens. Learn more.

MUSC Free Medical Clinic at ECCO, which is based in Mount Pleasant. Phone (843) 876-7097

East Cooper Community Outreach Dental Clinic - Dental care for patients without health insurance. (843) 849-9220

Dream Center Clinic - Helps people in North Charleston South Carolina. Phone (843) 225-1115.

If the medical programs and community clinics referenced above can’t provide the help you need, there are several other health centers in the area. They all have services for the low income and uninsured, including check ups, prescription medications, dental cleanings and more. Locate additional Charleston clinics.