Dutchess County Assistance Programs

Senior Home Assistance Program

Seniors in Dutchess County can receive home repair assistance or even free minor home repairs from this program. The goal is to address the concerns of the elderly who are physically incapable of providing safe living conditions in their home or who may not have the resources currently needed in their homes. Many people hope that this initiative will contribute to the right and ability of the elderly to age in their home in a manner that is as independent and safe for them as possible. Phone 518-867-4100.

The program is being run by the Rotary Club. The Rotary members have organized themselves into six teams of at least members per team to respond as quickly as possible to the requests made by the homeowners. The services and aid provided will cover non emergencies. They will be provided on the second weekend of each month.

The group will perform a variety of tasks. Services provided may consist of installing grab bars in showers, installation of smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, provide assistance for reaching difficult light bulb replacements, repair gutters, give assistance with minor outdoor maintenance, repairing locks and other minor handyman type problems, fixing heating systems.

The help provided from the county should save elderly homeowners substantially on home repair bills, not to mention improve their living conditions.

 

 

 

Help will bills and emergency aid

The non-profit community action agency, Dutchess County Community Action Partnership, which is located in Poughkeepsie  and can be reached at (845) 452-5104, offers low income residents several different programs, and can refer people to other local agencies and non-profits.

• Prescription medication - The non-profit helps low and moderate income families and individuals that require maintenance prescription medication. The agency will help people apply to the drug manufacturers for free medication. In addition, the Mastroianni Fund was also created to provide prescription drug assistance of up to $400 annually for patients and individuals who do not have health insurance or insurance doesn’t cover required prescription drugs.
• Food and groceries - Qualified families and individuals will receive groceries and food enough for each household member to have 3 meals per day for 3 days.

Another non-profit that can help is Community Based Services. 845-452-5104. They run assistance programs that various services and resources to low and moderate income residents. The programs will help individuals and families deal with a short term hardship or a one-time crisis and other ongoing issues. Services provided to low income individuals include free food and health services, medical prescriptions, heating and utility bill assistance, emergency financial aid and more. Find additional utility crisis assistance programs.

Dutchess Outreach, phone number 845-454-3792, can help eligible client who meet specific guidelines as outlined by Dutchess Outreach. These qualified individuals may be eligible to receive one time financial assistance and cash grants up to once per lifetime including rent/mortgage payment, utility bill payment assistance, prescription drug assistance, health care, and other aid.

 

 

The Family Partnership Center, which is located in Poughkeepsie NY and can be reached at 845-454-3792, runs the Emergency Assistance program. This is a service that guides a client through the vast array of government programs and provides help when other resources and programs are not available and the client meets specific guidelines as outlined by Dutchess Outreach. The applicant may be eligible for one time financial assistance and cash grants once per lifetime including help for rent or mortgage payment, utility and heating bill payment, prescription drug assistance, and health care.

Hudson River Housing runs the Homeless Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing Program (HPRP) in Dutchess County, which offers case management, counseling, rent help, housing location, limited financial assistance for security deposits, credit counseling, rent subsidies, utility and heating payments, and moving costs. 845-454-5176.

Salvation Army - Beacon Corps provides gas and electric bill payment assistance from the Good Neighbor Fund. Beacon New York. 845-831-1253

Mortgage and debt assistance

A credit agency known as Pathstone offers various free mortgage and debt programs. Homeowners and debtors can work one on one with a professional who will provide free debt and mortgage counseling for borrowers and homeowners who are having trouble making their mortgage payments or paying down their debts. The agency can help borrowers understand their budget issues, the fine details of their mortgage and they can advice people on the foreclosure process and their rights during the process. If needed, when appropriate, and at the homeowners or borrowers request, the counselor can enter into negotiations with their lender or bank to modify their current loan so that they can become current on their loans and afford to pay the mortgage into the foreseeable future, and be able to stay in their home. (845) 569-0770.

Neighborworks Homeownership Center of Dutchess County is a HUD approved housing counseling and foreclosure prevention agency. Dial 845-454-5176. Read more on Neighborworks.

Get health care from a clinic

Community Health Services runs a free medical clinic at sites throughout the Poughkeepsie area as well as county on specific days each month. Call them to learn more or make an appointment. 845-677-4000.

Hudson River Healthcare of Beacon NY (845-831-0400) offers health care to qualified people on a sliding fee scale.

Vassars Brother Medical Center (phone 845 431-5616) is a community, public clinic for patients without primary care physicians or other health care options.

Food pantry and banks in Dutchess County New York

Get free food and groceries from local food banks and pantries. Learn more on food banks and how they operate.

Some of the places, charities, non-profits and food banks to contact for free food or other non-financial aid include Holy Trinity Caring Ministry (845-471-5932). Another is First Reformed Church in Fishkill which provides a free food service program which maintains an emergency food closet. Clients and low income are eligible to stock up on a weeks worth of food or groceries every six weeks. Call 845-896-4546. United Methodist Church (845-758-6283) and Dutchess Outreach (phone 845-454-3792) are other local food banks.