Rensselaer County assistance programs.

Find how to get rent help and assistance with bills.

Joseph’s House is a local nonprofit organization that provides local residents with help for paying bills, rent, and more. Some of the programs offered are below.

Get help with rent. Hundreds of thousands of dollars are being provided to the organization to provide short term rent assistance, help with utility bills, and even credit repair and counseling. The funds are being provided from the federal government Homelessness Prevention Fund.

Outreach Legal Services. Lawyers from the Legal Aid Society will provide free legal services that may be needed by people facing eviction or the homeless. It is targeted towards high risk adults and families in order to access and succeed in permanent housing. As part of this program, transportation, case coordination, and legal representation are provided under the Federally funded program.

Help with medical bills and free health care. There is a medical clinic at Joseph’s House that has been open for over 10 years. The Clinic is fully and professionally staffed by volunteer nurse-practitioners associated with RussellSage College. Samaritan Hospital also provides resources and staffing. People can use the clinic to get check ups, advice, prescription medicines, and other assistance that can help them reduce their overall medical bills. Find additional ways to get free health care.

Joseph’s House is located at 74 Ferry Street in Troy. Contact them for more info on these programs, and to ask about what other assistance they can provide you. Dial (518) 272-2544

The Roarke Center ((518) 273-8351) is a place to call as a last resort. You need to have applied to other agencies and programs first, and have a referral letter. In addition, you need to go to the Rensselaer Department of Social Services first before coming to the Roarke Center. If you apply and are found qualified, get help with paying rent, food assistance, heating bills, and referrals to other programs and agencies such as community clinics in New York.

 

 

 

Rensselaer Department of Social Services provides access to many New York and federal government assistance programs. Some of the services include TANF (Temporary Assistance to Needy Families) and Safety Net (assistance to adult individuals.) Low income individuals can also apply for help with heating and utility bills from LIHEAP. Note that Individuals and families that are not eligible for Public Assistance can apply separately for food stamps. Air conditioners and heating equipment can also be provided from government programs. Call the Troy New York office at (518) 270-3947.

St. Patrick's Food Pantry, which is located in Nassau, provides food to people in the immediate area. Call (518) 272-4666. If they can’t help you they can refer you to other New York food banks.

Hope 7 Food Pantry is an emergency non-profit food pantry based in Troy. They can offer food up to at most once per month. Call (518) 272-1547