Mecklenburg County assistance programs.

Get help with paying bills, rent, and other expenses

The Charlotte Area Fund is a nonprofit Community Action organization that provides local residents with a wide variety of assistance. The offer the Self-sufficiency Project, which uses an individualized case management and counseling and will provide people with funds for certain expenses, grants, employment and also educational assistance to those in need of help. In addition, the project provides nutrition assistance through education and they also offer low-cost and free nutritious food to those who have been as assessed as in need of food aid. Other assistance programs offered include limited financial assistance for emergency needs and bills, such as rent, utility bills, and help with medication expenses. Assistance is also available for safe standard housing through grants that can be used for rent deposits and also funds to pay for first month's rent may be offered on a limited, first come first serve basis.

Some of the other programs developed by the Charlotte Area Fund that can help people with bills and other them support include:

Manpower Training Program, Head Start, Weatherization to reduce energy bills, a Credit Union and low interest salary advance loans from credit unions, Budgeting, a Food Bank, and Consumer Education/Counseling.

The Charlotte Area Fund is located at 901 North Tryon Street in Charlotte North Carolina, (704) 372-3010

Assistance from the Crisis Assistance Ministry

• Help with Rent - If you are in imminent danger of eviction, they may be able to pay some, or all of your rent. You need to be late on your payments and also to have received an eviction notification from your landlord. Individuals seeking assistance with rent are typically given an appointment.
   
• Mortgage assistance - They work with credit counselors to provide assistance to people who are facing a foreclosure. More on mortgage programs.
   
• Energy bills - If you have received a disconnection notice on your utility service, they may be able to provide assistance to you with paying all or a portion of your energy bill payments.
   

The Crisis Assistance Ministry is located at 500-A Spratt Street in Charlotte. Phone number (704) 371-3000.

Emergency aid from the Matthews Help Center

Another local organization that people in need can turn to is the Matthews Help Center and Thrift Store (704) 847-8383. They administer numerous resources, including:

• Financial assistance program, which will help people meet life’s basic needs, such as funds for paying rent, utilities and/or medical bills. The agency operates by appointment only.
   
• Temporary Housing, which can provide people shelter for up to one month if they were evicted or their home was foreclosed on.
   
• Clothing - Families can pick up new or gently used clothing, including work attire and clothes for school.

 

 

 

Health care services

Low income, the under and uninsured, the unemployed and others can receive high quality, low cost medical care from the Charlotte Community Health Clinic. This not-for profit clinic provides primary health care to low income and uninsured residents of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County. The clinic provides low cost health care in clinics around the area. Doctors, nurses, and other medical professionals contribute to the resources provided. (704-316-6574)

Another local facility is the Community Health Services. This clinic provides free or very affordable, accessible and high quality medical and health care. The facility targets its programs for those patients that are uninsured, lacking access to health care, or underinsured. Call the clinic at (704) 375- 0172.

Qualified low income or uninsured residents of Charlotte and the surrounding county can get free prescription medications from MedAssist of Mecklenburg. Dial (704) 536-1790. The agency provides free prescription medications and drugs to qualifying low to moderate income Mecklenburg County and Charlotte North Carolina citizens. They provide information and allow people to access a Referral Program that provides free information and referral services to help lower-income residents access low-cost, free or discounted medicines regardless of the applicants age.

A clinic based in Davidson, Free Clinic of Our Towns - Ada Jenkins Center, offers several types of  primary care and medical programs to uninsured, low income and under-insured individuals who live in North Mecklenburg and S. Iredell county. Dial (704) 896-0471 to learn more or make an appointment.

Charlotte, neighboring towns, and all of Mecklenburg County have other resources for the low income and uninsured. A number of other hospitals as well as government qualified health and dental centers provide low priced (or free) yet high quality medical care. There are a couple dozen other locations that individuals can call or apply at for care. Find listing of more Mecklenburg County clinics.

Legal aid and services

Two local non-profit law firms to turn to for legal programs include Legal Aid of North Carolina (704-971-2621) and Legal Services of Southern Piedmont, Inc. (704-376-8627). These two firms try to ensure that low income and others who can’t afford an attorney have access to representation and free advice. They want to ensure that everyone has equal access to justice. They can help with evictions, legal help for foreclosures, utility service disconnections, and family civil matters. Learn more on North Carolina legal programs.

 

 

Help for bills, rent, and other financial assistance in Mecklenburg County

Another non-profit agency that may have funds from time to time is the Charlotte North Carolina area Salvation Army. (704-324-4731) The agency runs a food bank, provides holiday meals and gifts, may have funds to help pay rent and utility bills, and help needy individuals in other ways.

Good Fellows' Club is an agency that provide emergency financial aid. Money may be used for rent or paying utilities. The program will help those who do not have help available from other resources. The program provides emergency financial assistance for rent, or utilities. Applicants need to have an eviction or disconnection notice.  Dial (704) 333-5040.

Housing Authority Of The City Of Charlotte - May be able to provide rent help and eviction prevention from the rapid rehousing and homeless prevention program. Limited help for utilities may also be offered. Call (704)336-5183

Department of Social Services (DSS) – Some of the programs run by the Mecklenburg County North Carolina Social Service branch include phone bill assistance from Link-up, which provides low-income individuals a 50% discount, up to $30. Another option is Lifeline provides a discount, up to $11.35 off the local monthly service bill. In addition, they administer the Weatherization as well as Low income Energy Assistance. Both can help people pay their energy bills or reduce them. Call them as well for referrals to emergency rent and housing programs as well as information on other programs that provide assistance for people who are experiencing an unexpected financial shortfall and have insufficient resources to pay bills and expenses. 301 Billingsley Rd., Charlotte, NC 28211, Phone (704) 336-4812.

Mecklenburg County programs that help anyone across all of North Carolina

Several resources and programs can help people in the Charlotte and Mecklenburg County area. These programs provide aid throughout North Carolina.

• North Carolina mortgage and foreclosure help
• North Carolina Section 8 housing
• North Carolina HUD foreclosure and housing counseling
• North Carolina energy and utility bill help
• North Carolina free legal advice
• North Carolina debt collection laws
• North Carolina community clinics
• North Carolina food banks
• North Carolina dental clinics

Free food and pantries

Some of the places and charities that may be able to provide you with groceries, free food, and information on programs include Thrift United Methodist Church Food Pantry ((704) 392-9807), Food Pantry - Saint Paul Baptist Church ((704) 334-5309), Liberty Baptist Church Food Pantry ((704) 399-0142), Loaves & Fishes @ Carmel Baptist Church Ministry ((704) 523-4333) and Community Service Center - Berean Seventh Day Adventist Church ((704) 377-4741).

While those are many of the leading food pantries in the Charlotte NC region, a few dozen others operate across Mecklenburg County. While hours may be limited, as well as the amount of food they can provide, they can be an effective resource. Find additional Mecklenburg County food pantries.

Information and referrals to other Charlotte and Mecklenburg agencies

While Housing - United Family Services (phone (704) 332-9034) does not provide cash assistance, they partner with other local non-profits and charities that may be able to. They can refer people to local charities and agencies, and are a great place to turn to for advice and information.

 

 

Foreclosure, debt, and credit programs

Two non-profit agencies that offer debt reduction plans, foreclosure prevention and counseling services, as well as credit repair services include ClearPoint Credit Counseling Solutions (phone (336) 294-1332) as well as Consumer Credit Counseling - UFS (phone (704) 332-9034). The Urban League of Central Carolinas (phone 704/373-2256) may be another agency that can both help people buy a home, and they can advise Charlotte NC families on how to save their home from a foreclosure. Also, learn more on North Carolina mortgage and foreclosure prevention programs.

Alliance Credit Counseling, Inc. of Charlotte NC ((704) 943-5233) provides counseling, bankruptcy advice, and information on how to reduce debts, such as credit card and medical.

Also, click here to find a comprehensive listing of HUD certified agencies that serve Mecklenburg and Charlotte NC area homeowners.

One of the big challenges in NC and the Charlotte area is payday lenders and predatory lenders. Individuals who take on one of these loans can get help. Learn about payday loan consolidation.

In addition, Mecklenburg County is also supported by a number of not-for profit counselors. They will meet with individuals and review their financial situation, and determine if they can be helped. Some of their initial services and consultations may be free of charge. After this meeting, both the counselor and the individual may decide it is best to begin a program such as developing a personal budget, debt management or housing counseling. These additional programs may have a minimal fee. Find a listing and learn more Charlotte not- for profit credit counseling agencies and the services they administer.

Help finding a job and employment training

The Urban League of Central Carolinas offers several programs to both help individuals find a job, as well as to improve their skills and increase their income. Some of the job and career programs offered include Professional Adult Empowerment Program as well as Customized Computer Training. The goal is to help the unemployed and others get back on their feet and become self-sufficient. Dial 704/373-2256.

City of Charlotte

In addition to these resources for all of Mecklenburg County, the city of Charlotte has additional assistance programs. Learn more on the city services that may be at you disposal.