Shawnee County assistance programs

Rent help

If you are facing an eviction, lost your home to foreclosure, or need money to pay a rent arreage, Topeka's Housing and Neighborhood Development Department is accepting applications for the Homelessness Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing Program. This is a federal government funded program that can provide people with up to 18 months of rent assistance. In addition, the program can provide grants to pay utility bills, security deposits, pay for moving costs, and even provide vouchers for free hotel or motel rooms if you are being evicted. Contact them at (785) 368-3711.

Get utility and heating bill help

Community Action, Inc., which is located in Topeka but serves the entire Shawnee county area, administers several energy bill programs, as well as the federal government funded weatherization program. Contact them at (785) 235-9564 to learn how to apply for the LIHEAP program. They can refer you to the correct agency.

Another resource they provide is access to Weatherization services. This program provides energy savings for your home. These are some of the services they provide as part of the weatherization program: adding insulation to your walls and/or attic, repairing or replacing your furnace or heating system, minor structural roof repair, testing, cleaning, and tuning your furnace, and sealing cracks around doors or windows.

 

 

 

Free Tax Preparation

This service is provided at Community Action in cooperation with the AARP Tax Aide program during the income tax season. Also, guidance and support is provided throughout the year to respond to questions regarding tax credits and tax returns. Click here to learn more about tax assistance.

The Emergency Repair Program (ERP)

This is a service that provides financial assistance and cash grants to income eligible homeowners to help them make emergency repairs to their homes that are necessary to ensure the occupant's continued safety. A side benefit is that the improvements will help lower the homes energy bills, but this is not the primary objective.

Eviction and Homeless Prevention

Community Action also manages this program. It will provide cash grants to people to prevent an eviction. The main goal is to promote self-sufficiency, keep people in their homes, and if someone has already been evicted then assistance is available to help transition currently homeless persons into permanent housing by providing assistance with rent, security and utility deposits. In addition, cash assistance and other aid may be available when the disconnection of utilities will result in eviction and homelessness of an individual or family. Find additional ways to get rent help. More.

Stop by the Community Action, Inc. at 1000 SE Hancock Street in Topeka Kansas, or feel free to call them at (785) 235-9561 to learn more about these or other assistance programs.

 

 

Emergency financial assistance programs in Shawnee County

Doorstep, Inc., which is based in Topeka Kansas, runs programs that provide emergency aid. Their primary goal is to provide resources and services to the poor, unemployed and needy and people in Shawnee County that are experiencing a crisis in their lives who need a little help. Services offered include free food, gently used or new clothing, prescription medications, rent assistance, utilities and heating bills, dental (limited) and transportation (in city only) assistance. There programs can only be used certain number of times. Phone (785) 357-5341.

Let's Help, Inc. (phone (785) 234-6208) has limited funding, but they may be able to provide emergency financial assistance and cash grants, food programs, education and employment counseling. Services include: Clothing bank; Daily lunch and meals during the week; Food baskets;  Limited financial assistance for paying expenses such as rent and mortgage payments, utilities or medical and health care, prescription medications to qualified applicants. Find additional mortgage assistance programs.

Salvation Army - Topeka ((785) 233-9648) offers several services. Emergency assistance for paying housing expenses, rent and utilities is available for those who qualify for aid. A food pantry in on site. Last, but not least, a Day Care Center is open to children 2 weeks through 12 years of age. 

Dental and medical care

Hillcrest Clinic - Health Agency, Shawnee Co - This is a community clinic that offers low cost or free health care, including acute and chronic medical care, physical exams, preventive health care, Kan be Healthy screenings, social services. Additional services offered by the clinic include family planning, pregnancy testing, teen clinic. Call (785) 354-4011 for more information or to learn more.

Marian Clinic Medical, which is located in Topeka, helps the uninsured and poor. The goal of the community clinic is to improve the health of individuals, families and communities in the county. Services provided by the clinic include health and medical care including referrals as needed for specialist consultations and treatment, health education, women's health program, primary care services on-site, and prescription medications and medical equipment as available. Call (785) 233-8081

Shawnee County Health Agency-Community Health Center, which can be reached at (785) 368-2000, is another option.

Food and potentially household items

Oakland Church of the Nazarene is an agency that offer clothes and food to those in need of help in Topeka area. (785) 232-0142

Joyful Harvest runs a food pantry and offers transportation access and assistance. Call (785) 354-8154.

Let There Be Light. Several resources are offered including a food pantry and household items are provided, such as sheets, blankets, dishes, pots & pans, lamps, etc. Call (785) 267-4983.

Debt reduction and mortgage counseling

Housing & Credit Counseling, Inc. offers various debt and housing assistance programs. They offer a wide variety and comprehensive range of financial and debt services including: Debt Management Programs, credit building and repair, information/education on Bankruptcy, credit reports, foreclosure counseling, credit card use, budgeting, mortgage help, rent delinquency, mortgage delinquency, and reverse mortgages. Call (785) 234-0217.