Dane County assistance programs.

Get grants, employment assistance, emergency aid

If you are struggling or behind on your bills in today’s weak economy, the Community Action Coalition for South Central Wisconsin, Inc. (CAC) is an organization that may be able to help you. Some of the assistance programs they offer are below, as well as information on other agencies and charities. Contact them to learn more about these programs and other services, or to apply for aid.

Employment assistance -  This aid if offered to both newly unemployed or underemployed individuals who live in Madison, Dane and/or Jefferson Counties. The official name of the program is called the Back to Work (BTW) Program. Participants in the program can receive a variety of assistance, including job and employment assistance, tuition and/or training assistance for courses, books, fees, and any other materials they may need for job skills training courses.

They also offer financial assistance and emergency crisis grants including a rent subsidy, childcare assistance and/or transportation assistance while enrolled in the program.

Telephone assistance - The community action agency offers this aid to those who need help with past phone bills or who may need some help in establishing new telephone services. Even cell phone payments are eligible for help.

Counseling and financial programs - Budgeting skills, counseling for bills, referrals to government programs, advice, credit counseling, debt assistance programs, financial literacy, and help from debt collectors will also be offered by the Community Action Coalition.

Emergency financial assistance and grants - Grants and direct financial assistance is offered to applicants who live in Madison and Dane County. The following areas are covered:

• Heating Bill Assistance
• Energy and Utility Assistance
• Household Items
• Relocation and Help with Moving Expenses
• Car Repair and Transportation Assistance
• Rent help. Get a listing of all non-profit Dane County rent assistance agencies.

Stop by the Community Action Coalition for South Central Wisconsin, Inc. at 1717 North Stoughton Road
Madison, WI 53704 or call them at (608) 246-4730 to learn more or apply for help.

 

 

 

Foreclosure prevention and mediation

Dane County has a program in place that provides struggling homeowners who are facing a foreclosure with mediation and other resources that can help them with their mortgage. Read more on the numerous options of how to stop a foreclosure.

GreenPath Debt Solutions of Madison is a HUD approved nonprofit credit counseling agency that offers the following services and resources. mortgage delinquency, foreclosure, and default resolution counseling, debt reduction, budgeting and credit counseling, full service debt assistance management programs (including bankruptcy, debt consolidation services, mortgage foreclosure information, subprime and predatory lending, property lien, repossession, help with real estate taxes, and tax foreclosure assistance), credit report dispute assistance, and they are a housing counseling-HUD certified. (608) 221-1695

Health and dental care

ACCESS COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTERS is a facility that provides comprehensive birth to death primary health as well as dental care uninsured and low-income individuals and families in Dane County. Call (608) 443-5480 to learn more or make an appointment.

Medic Clinics partners with other local charities and non-profits, such as the Salvation Army and homeless shelters, to provide free health care to clients of these other agencies. Call (608) 265-4972.

Another community clinic is Our Lady of Hope Clinic. This facility, which is a nonprofit center, operates a free health clinic for uninsured individuals. It will help patients who do not have insurance, or who qualify for other federal government or Wisconsin health care programs. Dial (608) 819-8544.

 

 

General assistance and emergency help in Dane County

The CATHOLIC CHARITIES DIOCESE OF MADISON offers a variety of programs that can provide some short term relief with paying bills, as well as several family programs. Some of the resources offered can include financial assistance for paying rent and energy bills. They also offer several senior aid programs, food pantries, in-home companionship for persons 55+ living alone, and many other resources. (608) 821-3100

DeForest area Needs Network is a non-profit that provides up to $500 in financial assistance for emergency financial assistance with paying for rent, medical bills (including prescription medications, insurance co-payments, dental bills, eye doctor bills, counseling bills, health insurance premiums), heating bills and utilities (including water bills and telephone bills), car and automotive repairs, automobile insurance payments. (608) 846-3236

MIDDLETON OUTREACH MINISTRY runs a program that provides eviction prevention as well as rental assistance. The program provides help to prevent eviction from a family, and it will offer help with paying first months rent and/or security deposits for new renters. Phone number (608) 836-7338.

Dane County Human Services offers a grant program that provides assistance to those facing an eviction, foreclosure, or losing their home. They also provide low interest rate loans for new cars or repairs. Other resources include food, energy bill help, health care, and more. Call (608) 288-2452

THE SALVATION ARMY (phone number (608) 256-2321) administers a variety of programs. Among other options, they provides emergency rent help, shelter, food aid, personal/infant care items, funds for paying utility and heating bills, and transportation for homeless and low-income persons who live in rural Dane County Wisconsin area.

Madison Wisconsin based Evangel Life Center at (608) 222-4900. They provide funds to help with medical and dental bills, rent assistance programs, grants for paying energy bills, transportation assistance, and other programs.

The Tenant Resource Center runs programs that offer assistance, eviction prevention, foreclosure counseling, public housing, Section 8 housing, subsidized housing. Phone (608) 242-7406.

Other non-profits to call to ask for help include Middleton Outreach Ministry ((608) 836-7338) and Home Mission Fund (608) 837-7271. They may be able to offer housing help in the form of rent assistance, funds for utility bills, debt and foreclosure counseling, and money for medications.

Energy Services Inc., also known as Wisconsin Home Energy Assistance Program (WHEAP), provides free cash grants to help people pay their winter heating and energy bills. Call them at (608) 267-8601. Find other options, such as free heating oil. Click here.

Free food assistance programs

Village of Belleville pantry, which can be reached at (608) 424-3341, offers food, meats, diapers, and other aid.

Countryside Communities Center offers a pantry that low income can use every 30 days. (608) 437-5224

Allied Partners (phone (608) 204-9722) has a pantry that can be used once a month for free food and other aid.

Good Shepherd Lutheran Church distributes free food, groceries, diapers, household products, and other aid. Call the Madison Wisconsin agency at (608) 271-6633.

Dane County The River Food Pantry offers food, diapers, clothing, pet food, meats, and fresh fruits. (608) 442-8815.

A number of other charities, churches, non-profits, and food pantries operate across the county. Find more Madison food banks and locations in Dane County to call for help.