Elkhart County assistance programs

Locate resources, organizations, grants, and services that assist with bills

Both Church Community Services and REAL Services, Inc. are two local non-profit organizations that provide families and individuals in need with grants to help with paying bills, debts, and other everyday expenses. They can provide people with cash grants and refer people to other resources if they can’t help them. Find more information below on both organizations.

Emergency and Crisis Services - Church Community Services will provide cash grants and other types of financial assistance to qualified individuals and families. Grants can be used to help people prevent an eviction  from their home or apartment, stop their utility or heating service from being shut-off, and grants can help pay for prescription costs. You can apply only once per year. However, they will review other special requests on an individual basis throughout the year. If you apply and are determined to be qualified, counselors will work with you to assess individual needs and walk you through options and programs. In addition, Church Community Services will partner with other local charities and agencies such as Salvation Army, Faith Mission , Township Trustees, Emerge, and others to coordinate resolution of the individuals crisis. Call them at 574-295-3673.

Resources and Services

The local community action agency, Real Services, Inc. has several programs and other resources for people in need. Contact them at (574) 233-8205. Below are just a few of the programs and resources they offer. They have several others as well. Call them to learn more.

Free Legal Advice - They have partnered with Legal Services, Inc. to provide free legal advice, counseling, and other services to eligible older adults in who live in Elkhart, Kosciusko, LaPorte, St. Joseph, and Marshall Counties.

REAL Services’ Energy Assistance Program - The State of Indiana funds this program. It focuses on helping people with low-incomes. Aid will be provided to these households to help them pay with electric and heating bills, primarily during the cold winter months.

 

 

 

Self-sufficiency Programs - A Case Manager or Family Development Consultant will work with struggling families to help them gain self-sufficiency over the long term. They will work with them to identify goals, provide advice, and develop an action plan to meet those long term goals. The twelve areas of family growth and counseling are: Energy, Adult Education, Housing and Rent Help, Income, Child Development & Education, Help with Credit Card Debt and Counseling, Family Relations, Transportation, Support Systems, Health, Nutrition and Substance Abuse, Employment, and Job Training.

Weatherization programs - This is a federal government program also run by Real Services that was designed to help income eligible households save on their energy bills by reducing fuel consumption and fuel expenses. It does this by providing people with weatherization measures for homes at no cost to those served. These improvements will reduce energy bills by up to several hundred dollars per year.

Some of the other resources include the Family Caregiver Support Program, Housing Counseling, Family Development Foster Grandparent, Geriatric Care Management, Guardianship Resources and Referrals, Food Aid, In-Home Services, Lunch and Learn, Meals on Wheels, and Medicare (SHIP Counseling).

 

 

Help for rent, heating and utility bills in Elkhart

Family Christian Development Center - The non-profit agency provides help to qualified residents with emergency rent and utilities. The applicant will need to present latest bill or shut off notice for gas, electric or water bills in order to get assistance. (574) 773-2149

Open Door, Inc., of Nappanee-Elkhart City - Contact them for information on free food, emergency financial help for anyone living in Wakarusa or Nappanee once a month. The non-profit does also help with NIPSCO utilities bills once a year (for persons south of the Elkhart and Goshen areas). Dial (574) 773-3820

CCS, dial (574) 295-3673 - Provides limited financial aid for job related expenses, prescriptions, and rental assistance. No money is offered for rental deposits.

The Salvation Army of Elkhart - The agency provides limited financial assistance with utilities and heating bills, and they will not pay utility deposits or reconnects. The aid is offered for the following townships: Baugo, Cleveland, Concord, (with Elkhart zip codes) Osolo, Washington, and York Indiana. There is also a Salvation Army Branch in Goshen. Dial (574) 970-0088

Mortgage help and foreclosure prevention

Goshen Indiana homeowners have a place to turn to for housing aid. LaCasa of Goshen, Inc. is a HUD Approved Counseling agency. The agency provides foreclosure prevention and mortgage readiness counseling to people who are behind on their mortgage, or who need advice. Dial (574) 533-4450, or click here fore additional foreclosure help.

Greenpath Debt Solutions - The credit counseling agency provides free budget counseling, debt reduction advice, housing counseling, debt and credit card repayment program, and consumer education to qualified individuals. (574) 293-0075

Food aid and groceries

The following churches, pantries, and charities may be able to provide free food, holiday or Christmas meals, and other forms of aid. Call them to get the specifics of their assistance programs. Family Christian Development Center - Phone (574) 773-2149. Middlebury Food Pantry Dial (574) 825-5135