Lauderdale County assistance programs.

Christmas and holiday gift assistance programs.

The Christmas assistance program provides clothing and toys for children during the holidays and Christmas, and also food for families during the holidays.

People do need to apply for aid. Applicants need to have identification, including their birth certificates and Social Security cards for all members of the household, including teenagers. A photo ID is always required for the household member making application. In addition, the applicant needs to provide a phone number and proof of income eligibility. For households who have children, applicants need to supply correct sizes for each child, infants through 12 years old, for both their shoes and clothing.

While the application process was not that efficient in previous years, a new automated computer program will help speed the application process this year and streamline the process. The only changes with the program are on the end of the Salvation Army, and clients will still need to come in and apply as in the past, but it should be a quicker, more efficient process from the end of the salvation Army, this leading to people getting gifts and food in a more timely manner.

In addition, through the Angel Tree program, which is held at the Regency Square Mall in Florence, a process of “adopting” children's names for gifts will take place. An estimated 2,500-plus children will be helped this year with holiday gifts and toys.

A spokesperson from the Salvation Army's Women's Auxiliary said that almost 2,000 children's names were taken from the Angel Tree last year. While nearly 400 names were unadopted, the Salvation Army stepped in and provided them with toys and clothing for those children whose names were not selected from the tree.

 

 

 

Help with utility bills

The long, cold winter months will cause many homeowners to struggle with paying their utility bills. Thousands of local utility customers will from time to time get behind on their monthly payments and face a disconnection of their service. Qualified individuals can receive utility bill payment assistance once in the summer and up to one time in the winter. Assistance provided will be based on total household income and the number of persons who live in the household, with a focus on the elderly, disabled, and low income. Find additional ways to get help with electric bills. More.

Organizations like the Community Action Agency of Northwest Alabama (phone number (256) 766-4330) try to provide assistance with bills on a limited basis.

Thousands of people get help each year, and they offer over one million dollars in grants per tear.