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Ingham County assistance programs.

Find ways to get a wide variety of help
The Salvation Army in Ingham County Michigan provided a wide variety of assistance to residents. The charity has been able to bring aid, comfort and assistance to the poor and struggling of Eaton, Ingham, and Clinton counties in Michigan. They can be reached at (517) 484-4424.

Just in 2008, over 6,000 individuals and more than 7,000 families received assistance from the various Salvation Army programs for everything from groceries/food vouchers, utility bill assistance, help with rent, housing and other general financial assistance. They also offers ways to get free clothing and other personal needs products. Medical and health care programs offered include free and discounted prescriptions as well as information on health care programs, co-pay assistance, social services and transportation aid. Find additional ways to get help with health care.

The organization needs your help as well though. Due to unprecedented requests for help from residents, the Salvation Army may actually need to reduce some programs. Services that may need to be scaled back include electric assistance, the emergency food pantry, and more. Many of these are real lifesavers for struggling families in the area.

Heating Bill Assistance
One focused program the Lansing and Ingham County Salvation Army offers is a program to help people with paying heating bills. The organization will provide monetary assistance and grants for people who received shut off notices from their gas or utility company. The Salvation Army can provide up to $750 per utility or heating bill for those who qualify for the assistance program. They anticipate being able to help about 40 families per week.

Many Michigan utility and gas companies also will not turn off your service during the winter. For example, The Board of Water and Light said it will not turn off a customers electricity service if they are a senior citizen or other high risk individual. But the aid offered by these companies does not stop there. A number of agencies and groups, including the Board of Water and Light, have several other programs and resources in place that they use to ensure no one goes without heat this winter. All you have to do is call them or, tell them you are struggling, and ask for aid.

In regards to the Lansing TSA Utility Assistance by Salvation Army, the criteria to be eligible include:

• -Their service needs to be in shutoff status
   
• -The heating bill must be in applicant's name or the name of his or her spouse
   
• -The applicant must have a current decision notice from the Department of Human Services
   
• -The Lansing Salvation Army can assist with up to $750 per utility bill, but a maximum of once per year

If you are interested in applying or learning more, call the Lansing Salvation Army at (517) 484-4424.