Roanoke County assistance programs

Resources and organizations that provide help with bills

Two organizations in the Roanoke area offer programs and resources to struggling and low income people that can both help them pay short term bills and debts, and they can also assist the individual with becoming self sufficient over the long term. Total Action Against Poverty, Inc (TAP) is the local Roanoke community action agency, and another charity organization is Roanoke Area Ministries' Day Shelter.

Help for mortgage and rent from Homeless Intervention Program (HIP)
The goal of this program offered by TAP is to provide short term and limited financial assistance, as well as housing counseling to low and moderate income families and individuals who are experiencing a temporary financial crisis and are at risk of being evicted, or who are facing homelessness. Aid is even available for those who are currently homeless. Housing assistance from HIP is intended to facilitate their ability to maintain their current housing or obtain permanent housing.

This program will assist people with a Housing Crisis for mortgage payments, rents, and also rent or security deposits. There are of course some qualifications, including your crisis needs to be temporary in nature and you also must prove that you were able to pay your rent, mortgage, and bills before this recent crisis happened. Also note that this program can only assist you one time per lifetime. People who are found to be eligible for this program may receive either loans or grants for paying their rent or mortgage payments and/or rent security deposits. Clients must also be found to be self-sufficient over the long term. Find additional ways to get help with mortgage.

Emergency utility bill assistance program
The resource, know as TAP Housing and Community Development, was created to help low income families who are currently experiencing a temporary financial crisis due to a short term crisis or some type of unavoidable circumstances with their utility payments. This utility bill assistance program is open to families that reside in one of the following cities, jurisdictions, or counties: Roanoke City, Roanoke County, City of Salem, City of Clifton Forge, Botetourt County, City of Covington, Alleghany County, Buena Vista, Rockbridge County, Craig County, and City of Lexington.

The funding is limited, and currently the program provides financial assistance or cash grants not to exceed $75.00 for water, $100.00 for electric bill payments, and $150.00 for gas bills.

 

 

 

Family Support
This resource offered by TAP provides counseling and support to families of children in enrolled in schools and child care. The organization has Family Development Specialists who will work closely with families to help them identify and meet their own goals and become self-sufficient in areas such as job training, employment, parenting, housing, education, transportation, budgeting, and financial skills.

Emergency Financial Aid
The Roanoke Area Ministries’ is another organization that people can turn to for aid. They have the Emergency Financial Aid (EFA) program, and the office will assist those individuals who are currently living Roanoke City. However, the office will accept work with people who live outside the city, and they will accept requests from individuals living outside Roanoke city provided they have a referral from the charity or community action agency in the area in which they live. The Ministries resources are limited as well, and as a result they work their hardest to ensure that the funds are going to people who are truly in a crisis situation. They can provide funds and grants that can be used to pay utility bills, car repairs, rent, prescription medications, and other short term needs that people may have.