Ramsey County assistance programs.

Resources and organizations that can assist with bills and that can provide help

If you are struggling, the Community Action Partnership of Ramsey & Washington Counties offers St. Paul and Ramsey residents with several assistance programs. Find information on this organization, as well as how to get help from other groups below. They have a few locations throughout the area, however their main office is located at 450 Syndicate Street N, Saint Paul, MN 55104 and the phone number is 651-645-6445.

Minnesota Energy Assistance Program (EAP)  - This service will protect the household from having their heating or utility service shut off, and it can also help them get their power and/or heat restored. The demand for this service is great. Requests for energy bill assistance are up over 10 percent in Ramsey County. The program is funded by the federal government, and the federal aid for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, commonly known as LIHEAP, is awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, so apply early.

Other assistance provided by the EAP program includes helping families and individuals maintain affordable, continuous and safe home energy services. The resources included by Community Action Partnership include bill payment assistance, outreach to under-served populations, and they will intervene in energy crisis situations to ensure people do not have their service disconnected.

Minnesota Low-Income Weatherization Program - They also administer the weatherization program, which will provide customers with free energy audits and upgrades to their homes. These home audits will take anywhere from 2-3 hours, and they include a safety/efficiency test.

Some of what is inspected, and what will be upgraded in the home, includes an inspection of the home’s heating system and water heater, an inspection of insulation levels in the walls and attic, and a check for air leakage. After the inspection is completed, the mechanical heating contractor will come to the home to clean and tune the heating system and address any health and safety issues. Once again, all of this is free to the homeowner. There is no cost. Last, but not least, the insulation process is begun; bypasses and air leaks are sealed, caulking is used, and insulation is blown into the walls and attic to ensure the home is energy efficient.

 

 

 

Car Ownership Program - This program offered by the community action agency helps working families purchase cars through either loan or lease programs. They can loan up tap $4,000 to families for the purchase of a new or used car and also provide assistance by guiding the family through the car buying process so that they get the best vehicle for the price. They work in partnership with the United Way, and they lease cars donated from local dealerships, auctions and fleet services, and provide these automobile to working families. Also read about auto loans from Ways to Work.

Applications for car assistance and the ownership program are limited to people who do not qualify for a car loan at a reasonable interest rate due to negative credit history, a lack of credit history, short employment history, or because of temporarily reduced or limited income. Also learn about refinancing automobile loans.

 

 

Help with bills, rent, and other expenses

Keystone Community Services is a non-profit agency that offers qualified individuals with a host of programs. Call them at 651-645-0349. Some of the services and resources provided include:

• Emergency assistance program - This program provides immediate crisis help, information and referral services to other government programs and local charities, as well as links people in emergency situations can use to for housing expenses, rent help, utilities, heating bill assistance, and other basic needs.
• Food assistance - Access free food if you are struggling to feed yourself or your family. More on food assistance.
• Meals on wheels and active senior programs

Ramsey County Catholic Charities (phone 612-664-8500) runs several programs that can provide financial assistance and cash grants for paying rent, heating and utility bills, and help people deal with other emergencies.

Community Emergency Assistance Program, Inc. offered rent help, which is known as homeless prevention. They also provide food and information on other government assistance programs in Saint Paul and Ramsey County. Dial 763-566-9600.

Merrick Community Services helps low income and working poor people in certain areas of St. Paul Minnesota. Receive access to temporary food, vouchers for bills, transportation, medicine, school supplies, holiday food/gifts, rent and housing help, and other emergency services through two food shelves and other distribution centers. Phone (651) 771-9339.

Ramsey County Salvation Army (651-746-3400) provides food, hot meals, and from time to time may have limited financial assistance to help pay rent, bills (such as heating and utility) and health care expenses.

Saint Paul Planning and Economic Development Department - This government agency offers emergency housing assistance and money to pay rent from the Homelessness Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing Program (HPRP). This program was created from stimulus funds, and can provide money for, among other things, rent, moving costs, utility assistance, security deposits, and more. Call (651) 2666020 for more information or to apply.

Ramsey County non-profit organizations and programs that help anyone in Minnesota

Find a listing of assistance programs, resources and agencies that provide help including mortgage, housing, energy and heating bill, and other assistance to Ramsey County Minnesota.

• Minnesota heating and utility bill help
• Minnesota Section 8 housing programs
• Minnesota mortgage help and foreclosure aid
• Minnesota HUD foreclosure and housing counseling
• Minnesota medical debt laws
• Minnesota free legal assistance
• Minnesota community clinics

Get free food

The Second Harvest Heartland Food Bank (651-484-5117) provides hunger relief and food assistance to low income and unemployed people and individuals who are in need by distributing donated grocery products to human service agencies and charities in the agency.

Loaves and Fishes Too provides free evening meals and groceries at seven dining locations throughout the Twin Cities, including Saint Paul Minnesota. 612-377-9810

Employment services in Ramsey County

East Side Neighborhood Services, Inc. (612-781-6011) provides job training, placement, and career counseling services.

Foreclosure legal assistance

Mid-Minnesota Legal Assistance offers free legal advice and representation to low-income and elderly families and individuals to prevent loss of shelter, prevent a foreclosure and obtain repairs needed to make housing safe. Phone 612-332-1441. Learn more on Minnesota free legal advice.

Minneapolis Urban League (612-302-3100) offers free foreclosure counseling for African Americans as well as others who are facing a foreclosure.

Free health and medical care

St. Mary's Health Clinic provides free high-quality care to low-income as well as underinsured and uninsured men, women, and children in the greater metropolitan area of St. Paul and Ramsey County. Over 300 doctors help support the clinic. Call 651-690-7020 to learn more or make an appointment.