Palm Beach County Assistance Programs.

Resources and programs that can assist you with bills and expenses

The Community Action Program offers Palm Beach County and residents of West Palm Beach community resources and support to help them deal with short term emergencies, and also ensure they get back on their feet over the long term.

• Utility and cooling bill assistance: The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is a federal government funded program that was designed to provide financial relief and cash grants to help people deal with high-energy costs. The goal is prevent service disconnection for families who are facing a crisis.
   
• Self sufficiency and emergency assistance: This program works closely with low and moderate income families to develop and deliver a coordinated set of services to facilitate self-sufficiency. Services offered may include rent help, housing assistance, budget and credit counseling, job training, free child care, literacy, education, employment development and emergency services such as food, clothing, and eviction prevention services.
   
• Food aid: The Community Action organization also distributes nonperishable food items to low income families on a regular basis. Included are: rice, beans, canned fruits and vegetables, apple sauce, and also macaroni. In addition, surplus fresh fruits and vegetables are available during peak farming season. They also partner with other groups. For example, Community Action also works with the Society of Saint Andrew to distribute fresh citrus that is donated by growers and harvested by volunteers.
   
• Income tax assistance: Both staff and volunteers have assisted thousands of low-income families prepare their tax returns, usually for free.

Contact them at 810 Datura Street, West Palm Beach, FL 33401. The main phone number is 561-355-4700. They have locations all throughout Palm Beach County.

 

 

 

Mortgage and Foreclosure Assistance

Palm Beach County, Florida started the nationally acclaimed Foreclosure Assistance Center, whose main goal is to stop (or slow down) the increasing rates of home foreclosures in Florida. The center provides a variety of assistance, including mortgage refinancing and even providing cash grants of up to $10,000 to help homeowners catch up with paying their mortgage payments. In addition, the center provides assistance to homeowners who want to sell their homes prior to a foreclosure occurring, which will help the homeowner from having a red mark on their credit rating. Some of the other aid provided includes :

• A Credit Recovery Plan that will help homeowners repair poor credit
• They will negotiate with the current mortgage holder for repayment agreements on existing loans to try to lower interest rates, reduce fees, provide more payment time, and more.
• They will advise the homeowner and help them with the purchase of their home should their current lender agree to a “Short Sale” arrangement.
• They will even provide assistance with finding employment and offer job training for those who have lost their jobs.
• Dial (561) 822-1575, or click here to find more information on Florida mortgage programs.

Another non-profit firm to turn to for foreclosure counseling and assistance is the Urban League of Palm Beach County, Inc. Foreclosure Counseling is a free service that is provided by the ULPBC for individuals and families in Palm Beach County Florida. they can work with homeowners and their lenders to find solutions. (561)833-1641.

Center for Family Services of Palm Beach County, Inc (561-514-0564) tries to prevent homelessness in Palm beach, and they can provide money to pay a mortgage in order to meet this goal. Funds can also pay for an attorney that can provide free legal foreclosure assistance.

West Palm Beach Florida based Foreclosure Mitigation Counseling provides low to moderate income homeowners with various resources and services. The programs focus on those people who are delinquent or in foreclosure proceedings. Intervention techniques offered by the non-profit agency include mortgage loan modifications, forbearance, deed in-lieu of foreclosure, partial claim, pre-foreclosure sale, and short sales. Learn more on Florida mortgage programs, such as how to get help from lawyers from the Florida FLASH program. (561) 833-1461.

Find more HUD approved Palm Beach foreclosure assistance programs and agencies to call for advice, guidance, and help.

Need help paying an electric bill

You can get utility bill help. Contact Palm Beach County's Community Action Program (at number at the top of the page) to see if you are qualified for one to two months' of help paying utility bills. In addition, Florida Power and Light (FPL) has a  Care to Share program that will offers people who are struggling up to $500. But you can only get this aid once per year, and you need to qualify through nonprofit agencies and charities.

Palm Beach County Florida assistance programs and non-profit agencies that include all of Florida

Many non-profits, programs, and resources cover the entire state. Get help with utilities, debts, mortgage assistance, health care, and other financial assistance.

• Florida utility and cooling bill help
• Florida free HUD foreclosure prevention
• Florida Section 8 housing programs
• Florida mortgage and foreclosure assistance
• Florida community health clinics
• Florida free legal aid
• Florida rescue missions
• Florida medical debt collection laws
• Florida food assistance
• Florida dental assistance and clinics

 

 

Debt reduction and credit repair

Thousands of local Palm Beach County families are struggling with keeping up with their debt payments. If you need debt help, the Consumer Credit Counseling Services of Palm Beach County and Treasure Coast of Florida can help individuals and families with their debt, including credit card, medical debt, and even mortgages. Counselors will work with applicants and provide them with advice and financial solutions. They work one on one and offer counseling and community outreach in the areas of housing, debt assistance, budgeting, and also debt and credit repair and management. (561) 434-2544.

Several other national and local credit counseling agencies and services support homeowners and consumers in Palm Beach County Florida. Read more credit counseling not for profits.

Free legal representation and aid

The Legal Aid Society of Palm Beach County, Inc. (phone # (561) 655-8944) is a non-profit law firms that can help people with civic legal cases. Lawyers from the firm will provide qualified individuals with high-quality, free civil legal assistance. The legal aid focuses on the low income, disadvantaged children, families, elders and individuals residing in Palm Beach County. Receive legal help and free foreclosure assistance, help for domestic issues, evictions, and much more. Lawyers will protect their personal safety, enhance their opportunities and living conditions, and promote self-sufficiency for their clients. Read more on Florida legal assistance.

Rent Help and Homeless Prevention Programs

The Urban League of Palm Beach County, Inc. will do what it can to ensure people do not get evicted from their homes or apartment. The agency can be contacted at (561)833-1641. While funding is limited, they may have money that people can use to help pay their rent. They can also refer individuals to other Florida and federal government programs.

Another organization that wants to stop evictions includes the Center for Family Services of Palm Beach County, Inc. Their goal is to prevent homelessness across the county. The center can provide money to pay the rent, an utility bill, or even for an attorney who can advise the client on their rights. Call them at 561-514-0564.

Community Caring Center, which is located in Boynton Beach but serves the entire county. The agency now offers Rent and even Mortgage Payment Assistance by appointment only by calling 561-364-9501 ext. 22. Food is also distributed from the agency.

Palm Beach County Housing Authority - May be able to offer housing and rental assistance to low to  moderate income families and the working poor in West Palm Beach, FL. Call (561) 684-2160

If the organizations above do not offer you the rent assistance you need, then find a listing of other non-profits that offer rent assistance in Palm Beach.

Free food from pantries and other locations

C.R.O.S. Ministries (Christians Reaching Out to Society) - This is an organization of local churches and other aid organizations that distribute free food to the needy. Find other food assistance programs, including WIC. Learn more. (561) 233-9009.

Community Caring Center, Boynton Beach - (561) 364-9501

Emmanuel Deliverance Church of God, Inc., West Palm Beach - (561) 832-5148

Gateway Community Outreach, Deerfield Beach - (954) 725-8434

Metropolitan Community Church of the Palm Beaches, Palm Beach Gardens - (561) 775-5900

Find additional churches, charities, and organizations that offer food and groceries to families, children and individuals. More Palm Beach food pantries.

Financial assistance for hardships

If you are experiencing an emergency or crisis situation, the Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Palm Beach, Inc. has an emergency assistance program that may be able to help. There is limited funding, but money may be available to pay for a medication, past due rent or mortgage, or the occasional electric bill. (561) 996-0485.

Seniors can contact Boca Raton Volen Emergency Fund for Seniors. Call (561) 395-8920. Applicants need to have a need for emergency assistance, and clients can get rent help, food vouchers, prescription and medical bill assistance, and funds for paying utility bills.

Families First Of Palm Beach County - As funding permits, they run a program that uses FEMA funding, and it provides qualified people with rent and mortgage assistance, utility and cooling bills assistance and free food vouchers. They are committed to building stronger families. Call (561) 721-2802

 

 

Palm Beach County Community Action - Several offices are located around Palm Beach County. The locations are West Palm Beach (561) 355-4792), Delray Beach (561) 278-8090), Jupiter (561) 694-5475), Pahokee (561) 924-7232), Riviera Beach (561) 845-4670), Lake Worth, (561) 694-5418, and South Bay (561) 996-6721) Florida. Some of the programs and resources offered include utility and electric bill assistance for a past due bills. Emergency aid in the form of clothing, furniture, household items and holiday assistance. Long term self sufficiency in the form of job training, free budget counseling, education, child care, and debt/credit counseling. Also get help preparing income taxes.

Salvation Army - There are several branches of this charity organization around as well. Apply for one or more of the following, including emergency financial assistance, free food, clothing, counseling and referral service. In addition, the Salvation Army also provides rent/mortgage assistance to avoid eviction or foreclosure. An on site food pantry is also available. Locations of Palm Beach Salvation Army branches are Lake Worth Corps (561) 968-8189, Boca Raton Corps (561) 391-1344, and West Palm Beach Corps (561) 686-3530.

Coalition for Independent Living Options (Belle Glade) - Disabled can apply for help. Get bus passes or apply for limited assistance with paying rent (with an eviction notice), mortgage (if the homeowner has a foreclosure notice),and utility bill assistance. 4250 NW 16th Street, Belle Glade, Florida 33430. Phone (561) 966-4288.

Palm Beach County Division of Human and Veteran Services. Three programs offered include Emergency Services, Self-Sufficiency Services, and Intervention Services. All three components address a variety of service needs of the low income and veterans and provide qualified people with direct assistance with paying rent and utilities. Emergency and self sufficiency services may also provide bus passes and food vouchers to individuals. Call (561) 845-4644.

Boca Helping Hands - They run a Resource Center that provides limited assistance with paying rent and housing expenses, utility (electric & water) bills, prescription medication, and can even offer one way bus tickets. 1500 NW 1 Court, Boca Raton, Florida 33432. (561) 417-0913

Program REACH at Pat Reeves Village - Programs, including case management, mainly focus on the homeless and/or those on the verge. However the not for profit also provides rental and utility financial assistance when funds are available. 1320 Henrietta Ave, Center for Family Services, West Palm Beach, Florida 33401. Call (561) 514-0564.

Farmworker Coordinating Council of Palm Beach County - Emergency Services and Social Service Programs are offered to farm workers (migrant too) and can include free clothing, food vouchers, household items; financial assistance with rent, utilities, travel, food and prescription medicine. 1313 Central TE, Lake Worth, Florida 33460. (561) 533-7227

Palm Beach County health care clinics

Caridad Center, Inc., which is located in Boynton Beach, provides free medical and dental care to the working poor in the county. Call (561) 853-1634. Click here for additional health care programs.

Community Health Center of West Palm Beach (phone number (561) 840-8681) provides medical care for free or on a sliding scale. Services offered include non-emergency pediatric, medical, diabetic/hypertensive evaluations, dental tooth extractions, eye exams, gynecological exams and more.

There are about 20 other community clinics in Palm Beach that provide patients with free or reduced priced medical or dental care. Prescription assistance may also be offered as funding allows. Find a listing of Palm Beach clinics that may be able to help the low income, unemployed, senior citizens, and others.