Jefferson County assistance programs.

Locate how to get assistance paying bills

The Jefferson County Committee for Economic Opportunity is an organization that provides Birmingham and Jefferson County families and individuals with grants and help paying their bills. Some of the programs they offer are listed below, and they include:

JCCEO Community Services Division
This program serves Jefferson County residents by offering the following programs: an AmeriCorps*VISTA Project, an Adult Day Health Care Center,  Rent Help, Housing Counseling and Development Program, Emergency Assistance, rent a Community Substance Abuse Prevention Program, Senior Nutrition Centers, , Energy Assistance, Home Weatherization Programs,  the Youth Empowering Selves (YES) Theatrical Troupe Project, The Students Teaching and Reaching (S.T.A.R.) Project, and Family Development.

All together the JCCEO Community Services Division provides resources, programs and services for more than 20,000 people in Jefferson County and Birmingham annually, and the services are available at no cost to low-income residents.

Grants and Emergency Assistance
Services are offered by the economic opportunity organization that provide assistance with housing, shelter, food, energy bills, or other emergency needs. Resources are available to stop evictions, and also to help the homelessness.

Alabama Low Income Home Energy Assistance and Alabama Charitable Trust Programs
Together they provide cooling and heating bill assistance to people who need help. In addition, crisis assistance grants are available that require that at least one household member have a documented health problem and that they also require a controlled environment. You do need to bring some documentation when you apply, including a current utility bill and also proof of household income are required. You do need to call to arrange for an appointment that will involve reviewing your qualifications for energy bill assistance.

 

 

 

JCCEO Home Weatherization Program Reduces Energy Bills
You can get your home weatherized for free. It will make your home more energy efficient and lower your energy bills. Steps and improvements completed to lower your electric and gas bills through the home weatherization program can include replacement or repair of windows and doors, caulking, adding floor and ceiling insulation, weather stripping, and more. There are some conditions for to qualify including proof of annual household income, home ownership, and some other information and documentation will be required.

Other programs offered include housing counseling, food aid and pantries, debt counseling, Head Start, and more. Contact Jefferson County Committee for Economic Opportunity (JCCEO) at 300 Eighth Avenue, West Birmingham, Alabama 35204-3039, or call 205-327-7500, to learn more about any program or to apply.

 

Help finding a job

The Birmingham Urban League, which can be reached at (205) 326-0162, provides local residents with job training and employment skills, basic skills, housing counseling services and assistance, job placement assistance, and even youth development programs.

Another option is the Adult Education Program. Get access to career development, basic job skills, improve computer skills, GED tutoring, and high school diplomas, and overall job readiness. 901 9th Avenue North Birmingham, Alabama. Phone number: 231-4600

Salvation Army of Jefferson County

This local charity can also offer people in need multiple ways to get help. They offer emergency services and help with bills. They can provide money to help pay rent, utility bills, and even funds for medications. They can also provide free holiday gifts, clothing, and other forms of assistance. Call the Salvation Army at (205) 328-2420.

 

 

Assistance for the elderly

Positive Maturity, which is located in Jefferson County, offers senior citizens and the elderly counseling, social, volunteer and employment opportunities, and job training, In addition, they can also provide in-home senior companions for frail elderly, and can even direct people towards free prescription drug assistance programs from drug companies. (205) 251-0296. Click here to find additional senior programs.

Help for children

The organization known as AID TO HOMELESS CHILDREN- BLOUNT COUNTY ((205) 274-5200) provides free and discounted clothing, extra school fees, access to medical and dental programs and other health care needs that are not covered by Medicaid.

Another medical organization that provides free or discounted health care to Children is the Alabama Child Caring Foundation. Thousands of children are assisted per year from this clinic, whether they have health insurance or not. They provide emergency and routine care, vision services, and much more.  205 220-5929

Mortgage default/foreclosure counseling

This is another free service offered by the Birmingham Urban League. HUD approved counselors will meet with struggling borrowers to review their options, and they may contact the homeowners bank or lender as well. Dial (205) 326-0162, or click here to explore additional mortgage assistance programs.

Neighborhood Housing Services of Birmingham Inc. is a HUD approved foreclosure / housing counseling agency. (205) 328-4292.

Health care in Birmingham and Jefferson County

Cahaba Valley Health Care offers medical services and health care to Spanish speaking families n Jefferson County. Call the clinic at (205) 991-8771.

Birmingham Health Care Clinic is involved providing direct health and medical services to those in need, and services are offered on a sliding fee scale. Dial (205) 212-5600 for an appointment or more information.

Christ Health Center is a full-service primary care health clinic with board certified family nurses, medicine doctors, dentists, pharmacists, other medical professionals and mental health professionals. Dial (205) 380-9455.

The Nest Medical Clinic (phone (205) 746-6265) provides free medications, medical care,  eyeglasses, and meal, and groceries.

Alabama Lion’s Sight Conservation Association (325-8519) offers eye and vision care for medically indigent. Glasses, contacts, and eye exams are offered.

If the community clinics above can’t provide the free or low cost medical care you need, locate more clinics in Jefferson County. Or read about additional medical care programs, some of which are national not for profits and include organizations such as NeedyMeds.

Legal support and representation

If you need to speak to an attorney but can’t afford to pay for their services, the Legal Aid Society of Birmingham Alabama, Inc. provides qualified individuals with free legal advice. Get help with a variety of civil legal issues. Call the non-profit law firm at (205) 251-3516.

Emergency and crisis assistance programs for bills, rent, and more

In addition to the Salvation Army, other organizations that provide emergency aid include:

• Christian Love Pantry: This facility provides clothing, free food, limited cash grants, and other essential items for families and individuals in an emergency situation. Phone number (205) 338-3390.
   
• Pathways: This charity organization, which can be contacted at (205) 322-6854, provides access to shelter, food assistance, free quality clothing, and other supportive services to homeless women and children in the Jefferson County area.
   
• Bridge Ministries offers emergency financial assistance with paying bills to low income and homeless of Birmingham and Jefferson County. The services offered include Utility bill (water, gas, and electric) assistance as well as Rent Payment Assistance. Birmingham Alabama. Dial (205) 930-0309.
   
• Another agency is Greater Birmingham Ministries. Dial (205) 326-6821. The charity agency provides emergency service to the less fortunate in the area, counselor will help identify and works to change the systems that keep people in poverty. Get help with energy bills, housing expenses, free food and food assistance, and other aid.
   
• Independent Presbyterian Church offers low income families emergency financial assistance with paying utilities, provides free food, prescription medications, and used and discounted or partially used clothing. (205) 933-1687.
   
• Mt. Zion Community Development Center runs programs that give assistance to qualified individuals with utility expenses (electricity, gas, heat, water), provides access to shelter and free food. In addition, the center can also offer transportation to doctor's and medical appointments, to other service areas and even trips to take care of personal errands (pharmacy, grocery, shopping, etc.)
   
• Urban Ministry ((205) 781-0517) runs assistance programs for electricity, gas, and water bills. Learn about programs such as weatherization as well.
   
• Norwood Alabama based Norwood Resource Center provides financial assistance and grants for energy bills. Dial (205) 322-7361.
   
• Serving You Ministries Inc. - North Park Baptist Church, which is located in Trussville and can be reached at (205) 228-0030, provides emergency assistance for paying for food, rent, housing costs, and utilities.
   
• Collat Jewish Family Services - Jefferson County - People of all faiths can get assistance. Services offered include Food Pantries, Rent and Prescription Expense Assistance, Intake procedure and income limited need to be met. Dial (205) 879-3438. Birmingham Alabama.
   
• Jefferson County Office of Community Development - The agency offers emergency housing  and rent assistance from the Homelessness Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing Program (HPRP). This program can provide both short term and long term rent help. Some people may receive grants for up to 18 months worth of housing expenses. Also get emergency aid for expenses such as utility and security deposits, first months rent, credit counseling, and a wide variety of other housing assistance. Call (205) 3255761
   
• Catholic Center of Concern - Apply for emergency financial assistance, which can be provided to those in need. Services include a free food pantry, clothes closet, and limited financial assistance for bills and housing. Birmingham Alabama. 786-4388
   
• Triumph Youth And Adult Community Development – The non-profit provide services and financial assistance to the low income to help them meet the critical needs on the community in an effort to help improve the quality of life for families. Some of the programs offered include Electric Service Payment Assistance, GED Instruction, Gas Service Payment Assistance, and Food Pantries. 4910 Huntsville Avenue, Bessemer, Alabama 35020. Dial (205) 424-6892
   
• A number of Birmingham and greater Jefferson County churches, programs, and not for profits focus on meeting housing needs too. Find an extensive listing of ways to get rent help in Birmingham and the surrounding region.

Jefferson County assistance programs and agencies that cover all of Alabama

Below is information on Alabama non-profit organizations and assistance programs that help people across Jefferson County and Birmingham Alabama. Get foreclosure counseling, help with utility bills, legal aid, and other aid.

• Alabama utility bill assistance programs
• Alabama Section 8 housing
• Alabama foreclosure and mortgage assistance
• Alabama HUD foreclosure and housing counseling
• Alabama free legal advice
• Alabama free community clinics
• Dental care from clinics in Alabama. More.

 

 

Food, clothing, housing products, and other aid in Jefferson County and Birmingham Alabama

In addition to below, you can find non-profits, charities, state of Alabama government programs, and organizations that focus on groceries. Read more food pantries in Jefferson County Alabama.

23rd Street Baptist Church South ((205) 251-1752) provides clothing and food.

Easter Area Christian Ministries (phone number (205) 836-9932) helps families in a crisis, and among other services provides food and clothing.

Another church option in Birmingham is Open Door Outreach Church. They can give help in the form of one time purchase of food, clothes, toys. Call them at (205) 591-1130.

Southside Baptist Church (address 1016 19th Street South (205) 933-8381) has an on site food pantry and can offer low income access to a clothing closet.