Emergency Financial Assistance

Adopt a Family of Marin is a local agency that offers financial subsidies and grants, on a case by case basis, for the needs of qualified individuals. Get access to such aid emergency rental assistance, utility bill payment programs and free food. In addition, the non-profit also offers information and referral, emotional support and advice. Works with families with children to secure stable housing, employment, food, transportation and counseling. Gives advice on financial budgeting, debt reduction and on securing affordable child care. Call the San Rafael California agency at (415) 456-7805

Salvation Army - Marin Corps provides Marin County residents with short-term emergency assistance including food, utility bill payment and transportation. Get access to emergency food programs and pantries, as well as help with utility bills from the REACH program. Call (415) 459-4520.

The Community Action Marin is the non-profit community action agency that serves the low income, unemployed, working poor, and others in the area. The programs they administer include

• Emergency Family Needs Fund - While different organizations have partnered to create this option, the Emergency Family Needs Fund administers an assistance program that provides financial assistance and help with bills to families and individuals who are experiencing a short-term crisis or emergency. Financial assistance is provided in the areas of rent, utility bills, rental deposits, car repair, prescription drugs and medications, and eyeglasses and other emergencies of an immediate and short-term nature.
   
• Utility assistance - They administer the low income home energy bill assistance program, known as LIHEAP. It is both an energy assistance and conservation program that serves low to moderate income individuals and families with offering them essential funding for their energy costs and bills, especially during the winter and summer season. Get assistance for paying a bills, as well as receive energy and conservation education, information on free home weatherization measures and referral to other California and federal government energy programs which may include free or reduced cost energy efficient appliances. For customers whose primary heating source is wood or propane, the LIHEAP program can even provide assistance with these payments in lieu of PG&E bills.

Call the San Rafael based Community Action Marin at (415) 485-1489.

Ritter Center runs a medical clinic, food pantry, and other programs. Services may be able to offer financial assistance for paying delinquent rent expenses or mortgage payments, or access a rental deposit grant through the Season of Sharing (SOS) fund. In addition, they provide financial assistance for emergency bills and expenses through the Season of Sharing Critical Family Needs (CFN) fund for critical one-time needs that cannot be met through other resources. (415) 457-8182

 

 

St. Vincent De Paul Society of Marin County (phone (415) 454-3303) helps the currently homeless, and they also run a program known as The Home Visits Program, which arranges for volunteers and other needy individuals to visit individuals and families at risk of eviction to provide temporary financial assistance with paying bills, including rental payment as well as cooling, heating and utility bill payment. Assistance provided by the program is paid directly to the landlord or to the utility company.

Funds for rent and housing assistance - Several non-profit agencies, churches, charities, and government programs focus on dealing with housing matters. The goal is to prevent homelessness and evictions, so money can be offered to pay rent or deposits in a crisis situation. Also receive counseling and free case management services. Read more rent help in Marin County.

Free food in Marin County

The following may be able to provide meals and food to qualified individuals. Saint Stephen’s Church (415) 381-8723 as well as the Salvation Army and St. Vincent, both are which are mentioned above.

A couple dozen other churches, charities, food pantries, and clothing closets are located in Marin County California. They provide the low income, seniors, and unemployed with numerous resources to make it through a difficult period. Find Marin County food pantry locations.

HUD approved foreclosure counseling

If you are behind on paying your mortgage, and on the verge of foreclosure or if you are a homeowner who received a foreclosure notice, call Fair Housing of Marin. They provide a wide variety of housing resources. Among them they serve as a HUD approved housing counseling agency and provides foreclosure prevention counseling and information on mortgage programs to homeowners. For example, learn about foreclosure mediation.

In addition, they provides intake, counseling and investigation of discrimination complaints, eviction advice, as well as mediation between tenants and owners/managers. Refers individuals to agencies, government programs and private attorneys for legal assistance. San Rafael Call (415) 457-5025.