Northampton County assistance programs.

Mortgage and foreclosure assistance

A new program was created to help struggling families keep their homes. The Northampton County Foreclosure Diversion Program was created in May to assist homeowners who are facing a foreclosure filing by in effect forcing their banks and lenders to meet with the homeowner in court-sponsored hearings in order to try find a solution that works for both parties.

Recently, Northampton County released detailed statistics that show that nearly half of those people who have been seeking help with their mortgage have far reached agreements to stay in their homes, won still more time to find a solution., or had any lawsuits or foreclosure filings against them withdrawn.

The Community Action Committee of the Lehigh Valley, which pushed for the program, manages it, and works closely with homeowners to negotiate with their lenders and provide relief. Phone (610) 691-5620.

The Northampton County Court program will help ensure lenders come to the table and that they do everything they can to reach a deal to cut a homeowners payments. Find additional ways to get mortgage help.

Energy bill assistance

The Community Action Committee of the Lehigh Valley also offers ways for people to get help with energy and heating bills. One program they offer is the PPL OnTrack program, which will allow the payment of only a portion of a household's electric or heating bills and also gives a reduction of past debt owed in exchange for consistent monthly payments by program participants.

Some other ways to get aid include Residential Weatherization Services, Energy Assistance Services, and also the federal government sponsored Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) Crisis Program.

Contact the agency at 1337 East Fifth Street (corner of Fifth and William Streets), Bethlehem, PA 18015, phone number 610.691.5620, for more information or to apply to any of these programs.

 

 

 

Emergency rent, heating and utility bill assistance

Catholic Charities, which can be reached at (908) 454-9871, is administering and distributing federal government funds. The funds can be used to help people pay for their rent, heating or energy bills. The cash grants, when combined with career or other counseling, even credit card counseling, are intended to help individuals and families return to self-sufficiency. People who are facing eviction can receive up to 6 months of rent help, while if someone is currently homeless they can receive up to 18 months of assistance.

The money is targeted at those people facing a short term hardship, and is not intended to be a charity program. The money to prevent homelessness can be used to help families that have recently experienced job losses and can also help those that have fallen dangerously behind on rent and utilities payments. Rent payments made will go go directly to landlords and not the tenant.

Another option is the Easton Salvation Army (610) 258-9531. They offer several programs, but do have limited funding. They may have money available to help pay heating and utility bills, can provide free food and clothing, possibly prescription medications, and also are a great place to turn to for information on Pennsylvania and federal government programs.

 

 

Community Action Committee of the Lehigh Valley, Inc. offers low income, the elderly, unemployed, and other qualified individuals with of host of assistance programs for paying bills, debts, housing costs, and much more. (610) 691-5620

• Housing, mortgage and rent help - Homeownership Counseling Services, Homeowners Emergency Mortgage Assistance Program (HEMAP), and Rent Assistance.
• Heating and utility bills - Energy-related Bill Payment Assistance, Residential Weatherization Programs. Also learn about utility disconnection laws. Read more.
• Employment services -Job readiness and employment counseling can help you find a job
• Food, groceries, and meals - They partner with the Second Harvest Food Bank of the Lehigh Valley and Northeast Pennsylvania, and provide for the distribution of food to emergency food pantries, charities and soup kitchens in Eaton and Northampton County

Federal Fuel Assistance Subsidy - Application for fuel assistance (one grant per household) taken through local welfare offices. Dial (610) 250-1785 in Northampton County Pennsylvania.

Northampton County Financial Assistance Program - Offers subsistence cash payments and grants to people whose household income and resources are below the poverty level. Appointments necessary. Dial (610) 250-1700

Assistance for paying medical and hospital bills

Low income patients can dial (610) 250-1700 to speak to Lehigh Valley Help, which provides payment for health services, medical bills and hospital care for people whose resources and household income are very limited.

Another option is Northampton County State Health Center, which runs health clinics in the area. (610) 256-1825.

Several local dental clinics in Easton and the are run programs, include the following. Lehigh Valley Health Network (610) 969-2245, St. Luke's Dental Clinic (610) 954-2460, and the Valley Wide Smile Program ((610) 437-7615), which provide local children who range from ages 3-18 with dental care, if they have no insurance or means to pay. Learn more on free medical care and options such as Pennsylvania prescription assistance.

Northampton Medical Assistance - Pays for health care, medical services and hospital bills and care for people whose income and resources are below the government poverty level. Call (610) 250-1700

 

 

Debt and credit counseling, and foreclosure help

Consumer Credit Counseling Services of Lehigh Valley - Money Management International (phone number (610) 821-4010) can assign you a counselor to work with. The services are mostly free, and the counselors can help you deal with mortgage and foreclosure problems, as well as provide debt help. Budget counseling is also provided.

Easton Area Neighborhood Centers, phone (610) 253-4253, offers budget counseling and advocacy, and get information on Pennsylvania mortgage programs. Learn more.

Food Assistance programs

Northampton County Food Stamps - Food stamps and the SNAP program are used to pay for food and groceries, subsidizing family income. Call (610) 250-1700

Job and career services in Northampton

ProJeCt of Easton, Inc., phone (610) 258-4361, is an organization that works with unemployed workers in job search, career counseling and placement.

CareerLink Lehigh Valley - Phone (610) 437-JOBS (5627). Counselors and the non-profit offers training, retraining and job placement for the unemployed and the displaced worker.

Hispanic American Organization - Maintains contact with area employers for possible job placement for people who need a job. (610) 435-5334.