Lake County assistance programs.

Mortgage, rent, utilities and food assistance

Lake County is receiving almost $200,000 in federal government grants to help families with bills and expenses during today’s difficult economy. Gary Indiana will be receiving almost $100,000 to provide emergency food assistance programs and also rent and mortgage aid. Residents can receive food assistance from the Greater Hammond Community Services. Rent help can be obtained from Catholic Family Services. (219) 662-7677.

Additional funds and help will be provided throughout the county from these various charities and organizations. Greater Hammond Community Services ((219) 933-3445) will be providing food assistance, The Salvation Army of Lake County will be paying for utility bill assistance, and last, but not least, Catholic Family Services will help with rent and they also have a mortgage and foreclosure assistance program.

In addition, the Greater Hammond Community Services was provided federal grants for food assistance.

Hammond Housing Authority - A HUD approved housing - foreclosure counseling agency. (219) 989-3265, or learn more on Indiana foreclosure assistance programs.

Emergency financial assistance in Lake County

One of the primary places to turn to for financial assistance is the Catholic Family Services. They offer numerous services, including emergency assistance and access to food pantries, emergency shelter, rent assistance, transitional housing at Samaritan House for both women and their children, the parish and local government supported New Hope Program, and also Catholic Charities nationally recognized Self-sufficiency programs. Some of the other services include case management, housing and budget counseling for individuals, credit repair, and foreclosure prevention for homeowners. The bottom line is that if you need help, this agency is the place to go to. Dial (219) 662-7677 to learn more.

The Lake County Church Network has resources for Gary Indiana and County families. Email them at churchnetwork@sbcglobal.net. For people facing a hardship, the Church Network partners with local charities and churches to offer mortgage assistance and/or rent help, money for food costs, travel expenses, and general necessities so people can make it through the day.

 

 

 

 

The Gary Indiana Salvation Army (219) 882-9377 also runs several assistance programs. They offer everything from holiday gifts and meals to rent assistance, money for utility and heating bills. The organization also runs an on site food pantry, and senior services programs.

Catholic Charities has locations in Gary and East Chicago. Programs offered include emergency services for low-income families and individuals and for families/individuals in crisis situations. Services and resources offered include rental assistance for those facing eviction, foreclosure and mortgage assistance for those facing foreclosure, and utility and heating assistance. (219) 886-3565.

St. Edward Catholic Church, which is based in Lowell Indiana, offers through partnerships Financial Assistance for rent and food pantries. Dial (219) 696-7307.

Southlake County Community Services (dial 219) 663-0627) provides community services to Lake County families. Receive foreclosure counseling, mortgage assistance, help for utility bills such as water, electric and gas bills, weatherization, and other aid.

If your need is assistance for security deposits, rent, or eviction prevention, a number of organizations specialize in meeting that need. Locate more Lake County Indiana rent assistance programs.

Heating bill help, referrals, and other support

The agencies listed below administer The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP).  The program in effect helps low-income households, senior citizens and the disabled with grants for paying winter heating bills as well as and summer cooling expenses. The LIHEAP program will provide households with one-time cash assistance for paying utility bills. Some of the agencies listed below can also direct people to low income housing, rental assistance, and food vouchers.

  • Lake County Township Trustee North/ East Chicago, 2107 Broadway Street, East Chicago, IN 46312, (219) 398-2435
  • Lake County Township Trustee, Northlake County Township Trustee North/ Hammond, 5947 Hohman Avenue, Hammond, Indiana 46320, (219) 932-2530
  • Lake County Township Trustee, Ross, 24 West 73rd Avenue, (219) 769-2111

United Neighborhood Organization Martin Luther King Jr. Center – They also offer the LIHEAP program. In addition, a food pantry is run on site, Summer Meal Program, and Health Start. 4802 Melville Avenue, East Chicago, Indiana 46312, (219) 391-8481

Gary Neighborhood Services – They are yet another one of the local Community Service Centers. They can provide fuel oil and assistance for winter heating bills. Food vouchers are also distributed. 300 West 21st Avenue, Gary, Indiana 46407, phone (219) 883-0431

City Of Lake Station Lake Station Community Center – Several low income financial assistance programs are administered, with an emphasis on grants for paying energy bills. 275 East 29th Avenue, Lake Station, Indiana 46405, dial (219) 963-0261

Lake County Government - Lake County Economic Development – Various rent, mortgage, and housing counseling is offered. Access Comprehensive Housing Counseling including counseling and free advice to homeowners, renters, and homebuyers. The housing program provides a full range of advice, services, and assistance to homeowners and renters. The goal is to assist them in improving their housing conditions, stop a foreclosure or eviction, and meet the responsibilities of tenancy or homeownership. They also offer homelessness prevention which provides one time financial assistance in the form of a cash grant to lower income renters or mortgagors who are in default of their monthly payment. 2293 North Main Street, A-311, Crown Point, Indiana 46307, (219) 755-3225

 

 

 

First Contact Inc. - Families who are impacted by HIV/AIDS may qualify for both long and short term rental assistance, assistance with locating low to moderate income housing, advocacy and case management services, and medical rides to appointments too. 3484 Airport Road, Portage, Indiana 46383, (219) 764-7322

Free medical care for low income patients

Receive access to medical and dental care from the Lake County Free Medical Clinic. The goal of this clinic is to provide the residents of Lake County Indiana with medical assistance. Doctors, nurses and other medical professionals will help those patients who are uninsured or underinsured, provide them with access to medical and dental services at no or reduced cost. Click here to find additional free health care programs. Or call the clinic at 1-800-559-0058.

Several medical and health care programs are offered by Lifeline, Inc. (call the agency at 440-354-2148). Among the services and programs offered include:

  • Prescription assistance programs - Patients can get up to $200 to help pay for prescription medications.
  • Eye exam and free glasses - Low income and other qualified individuals can receive a free eye exam and glasses.
  • Patient Assistance Programs - The agency partners with pharmaceutical companies to help them receive their medication for free or reduced cost. Learn more.
  • Free exams - Patients can receive free health care for a variety of needs they may have.

Catherine McAuley Clinic is a volunteer-based medical clinic serving uninsured citizens and low income families in the Calumet Area. Offers primary care. Dial (219) 933-2018.

East Chicago Community Health Center provides high quality, affordable primary care services and bills are based on a sliding scale. (219) 397-1196. Click here for additional free medical care programs.

The low income and uninsured can get medical help from other clinics in the greater Gary Indiana area. Find more clinics in Lake County.

Rent assistance programs

Northwest Indiana Community Action is the local community action agency that helps Gary Indiana and other local families. The agency can provide qualified applicants with up to up $750 in free cash grants that are combined rent assistance for paying first month rent and security deposits. 219.794.1829. They also can refer people to foreclosure assistance programs. Learn more on Indiana foreclosure mediation programs.

Heating and energy bill grants

Get cash grants from the emergency HEAP winter and summer grant programs. Families can receive immediate help to deal with utility disconnection, impending utility disconnection, and past due energy bills. Customers can even receive free air conditioners and other aid during the hot summer months. Lifeline, Inc. runs the programs, and they can also refer people directly to utility company programs.

Metro Corp-Energy Assistance Program offers a One-Time winter payment toward utility and heating bills. (219) 886-3155

 

 

 

Food pantries

Some of the churches, non-profits, and charities that provide food, and maybe other supplies like clothing, diapers, or baby formula include:

Angel Food-First United Methodist Church - Hammond (219) 932-5915

Brook Food Pantry - (219) 275-2111

Good Samaritan Food Pantry. This distribution center is located in Rensselaer. Dial 219) 866-4515.

Holy Rosary Roman Catholic Church Food Pantry - Gary Indiana. (219) 944-1084

Find information and locations of additional Lake County Indiana food banks. Thousands of residents receive food, bread, vegetables, and other groceries from the facilities every year.

Legal aid in Lake County Indiana

Indiana Legal Services - Gary County and Merrillville provides civil legal services, free legal advice, representation, and other aid to poor people in cases of domestic violence, housing disputes, foreclosure prevention, public entitlements and consumer issues. Click here to learn more on Indiana legal programs, or dial (219) 886-3161.

 

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