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Assistance programs St. Joseph County Indiana and South Bend.

Get financial help in the South Bend area from a variety of assistance programs, ranging from churches to charities or government agencies. There is free food from pantries, medical care from clinics, rent, utility bill or mortgage help and social services. Find financial assistance near you in St. Joseph County Indiana.

Low income families, senior citizens, the disabled, and many other who may be struggling can get financial assistance. The main places to call upon in St. Joseph County and South Bend are noted below. There is also free grant money from the government or items from charities. Or find affordable healthcare from clinics, free eye care exams, lawyers in South Bend for the county for housing or other needs.

Community Action resources that provide financial help for bills and grants

REAL Services is a local, non profit community action agency that offers low to moderate income people with various social services. There is financial assistance programs and free grant money hat can help them make it through a difficult period. They have multiple offices in St. Joseph County, however their headquarters is located at 1151 S. Michigan Street, South Bend, IN. The phone number is 800-552-7928 or (574) 233-8205.

In total they offer about 30 different programs and services. A sampling of them are listed below. You should contact them to apply for aid, or to learn more about these programs and any other options they may have for you.

  • Energy Bill Assistance Program - REAL Services administers this program, which is a state of Indiana funded program that will assist low to moderate income households with paying both their electric and heating bills during winter months. There are some conditions to the program, and the biggest being an income criteria. There is also a crisis component that will help prevent a service disconnection or it will fill up someone’s tank if they run out of heating fuel or provide them with firewood for their home. Get firewood for free near you.
    Families, seniors in St. Joseph County and individuals who decide to apply for this energy assistance program need to provide certain documentation. Benefits offered to applicants will depend on several factors, including household-size, total household income, and utility cost and the fuel type the homeowners uses.

 

 

 

  • Weatherization Assistance - This is a federal government funded program that helps income eligible families, the disabled and elderly reduce their energy bills as it will lower their fuel consumption and fuel expenses. The program works by providing free weatherization measures for homes at no cost to those served. So this program is free to homeowners. These procedures and updates performed on homes include: additional insulation, health and safety inspection on the furnace and water heater, caulking, cellulose insulation in attics and side walls, updates of windows, and more.
     
  • There is information on debt programs in South Bend Indiana area as well. Everyone from Real to local non-profit counseling agencies may be able to offer help. Get assistance with credit cards, car payments, and more. Locate a list of debt assistance programs.
  • Indiana State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) - This is a free and unbiased health care counseling program that is provided by the Indiana Department of Insurance and REAL. SHIP health care counselors will meet with individuals at the REAL Services office that is located in South Bend. They can also offer this service over the phone. They provide assistance with health insurance questions and services that people can use to get help with medical bills. Find other ways to get help with medical bills.
     
  • Transportation Assistance - REAL Services administers a program that provides free or cheap transportation for older adults. The service can be used so people can get to doctor appointments, grocery shopping, Medicaid and Social Security Offices, banking and any other necessary appointments the person in need may have. Locate free transportation for seniors on social security.

St. Joseph Indiana based REAL Services offers other assistance and guidance as well. For example, they are a leading agency for federal government grants from the emergency food and shelter (EFSP) program, which may assist with paying rent or security deposits. Much more is offered too. Find additional details on REAL assistance programs.

Financial assistance for bills, food, rent, food and utilities in St. Joseph County

Hope Ministries provides support and information. Low-income families can apply to local emergency programs and non-profit organizations. They also provide free meals and food, including for the homeless and college students. They also have information on various local South Bend health care clinics.

 

 

 

 

  • Another focus of the ministry is on solving housing issues, and that can range from emergency loans for rent or transitional homes. Homeless shelters are offered too. The charity is at 432 S Lafayette Blvd, South Bend, IN 46601. Dial (574) 235-4150, or click more information on Hope Ministries financial emergency assistance.

St. Joseph County Salvation Army offers limited financial assistance, by appointment only. They may pay and contribute to such expenses as utility and heating bills. Or get hardship funds for rent to stop an eviction, vouchers for medications, and other expenses. They are part of the AEP (Indiana Michigan Power) Energy Share Assistance Program which is a partnership that will help people with their AEP electric bills

  • Other programs offered include a free food pantry as well as soup kitchen. There is also free holiday and Christmas help including meals, toys and gifts. Shelter can also be arranged in South Bend. They are located in South Bend. The address is  900 W Western Ave, South Bend, IN 46601, or call (574) 233-9471, or read more St. Joseph Salvation Army assistance programs.

Rent relief programs in St. Joseph County help low-income tenants. Some government and charitable programs focus on addressing housing needs (including rent, shelters, or low cost housing). The options range from one time rent help in Saint Joseph County to funds for college students, loans for home buying (or back rent), apartments, legal aid and more. Find help with rent in St. Joseph County.

Financial help St. Joseph CountyUnited Health Services, while doesn’t provide direct financial assistance, they may be able to direct people to health, eye care and medical care programs. This includes free vision or eye glasses, Medicaid transportation services and other benefits. The non-profit may be able to help people deal with medical issues. Call (574) 247-6047 or (574) 247-6047. Or locate, and read more on free eye care exams near you.

General assistance is offered by Indiana state law from Towns in St. Joseph County. Each town only help residents of that town. The town can assist eligible low income residents with offering them food, utilities, medical care, clothing, household goods, or emergency funds for rent. There is also shelter, limited transportation, propane, coal, burial expense, and fuel oil. All towns offer this assistance, but some examples of the places to turn to are below. Or look here for Indiana Medicaid applications.

  • Penn (Mishawaka), Penn Township Trustee’s Office, 219 Lincolnway W, Mishawaka, IN 46544, phone (574) 256-6213
  • Harris, 13981 State Road 23, Granger, Indiana 46530, call (574) 272-2371
  • Olive, 102 South Arch Street, New Carlisle, IN 46552, phone (574) 654-3231
  • Warren, 59330 Crumstown Highway, North Liberty, Indiana 46554, call (574) 288-8702
  • Madison, 64040 State Road 331, South Bend, IN 46614, main phone number is (574) 633-4315
  • Centre, 19971 Kern Road, South Bend, IN 46614, dial (574) 291-7766
  • Portage, 133 North Williams Street, South Bend, Indiana 46601, call (574) 233-2126

 

 

 

 

 

 

South Bend Catholic Charities is a regional non-profit that runs a number of low income programs for St. Joseph County, nearby towns and cities. Social workers from the agency can help the low-income and people with no money obtain free food, apply for financial aid, and help immigrants and newcomers. Employment programs are offered too from resources such as the Senior AIDES program, which can help the elderly obtain a new or better job. Countless services are available to those who need assistance and referrals. Read more on Catholic Charities in St. Joseph County.

Little Flower Catholic Church may have emergency funds for people in the immediate area. This can range from money for rent to free food or groceries. The church, which is located at 54191 North Ironwood in South Bend, can offer other support to the poor and tenants facing homelessness. A focus is on senior citizens and single mothers. Dial (574) 243-3437.

Center for the Homeless has a number of assistance programs for homeless people and individuals close to evictions. Veterans in South Bend can get support from the DRIVE program and shelters. There is Emergency Services including funds for back rent or electric bills as well as food. Or get free clothes, after school care and more from 813 S. Michigan St., South Bend, IN 46601. Or look here for emergency help with an eviction near you.

  • The non-profit is involved in homeless prevention and rehousing for the unemployed, low-income, people with bad credit and others. Everything from moving help to grant money and more is offered. Call 574-282-8700

Advocacy Center from United Religious Community is at 501 N Main St, South Bend, IN 46601. Get funds for housing, utility or water bill help and other support, including for car repairs or transportation. There is an emergency Food and Shelter Program. Call (574) 282-2397.

Free Legal Services - A2AA Services has partnered with the Legal Services, Inc. Low income families can get free pro bono legal advice and services to eligible older adults in who reside in St. Joseph, Elkhart, Kosciusko, LaPorte, and Marshall Counties. Some of the legal services offered include outreach, counseling, education, representation, tenant eviction, and law reform.

  • The pro-bono law firms provides clients with a wide variety of free legal assistance programs and consultations. They may be able to help with anything that is not criminal related, provided you meet income levels. Get help with such issues as foreclosure assistance and prevention. Attorneys also help with consumer debt, unemployment and government claims, support for dealing with and suing debt collectors, and a host of other free legal programs. Call (574) 234-8121.

Society of Saint Vincent offers many assistance programs. There is a Bread Basket for meals as well as a free food pantry. Heating and cooling bill help may be offered as well as short term, immediate rent assistance. There is also a Sweet Dreams Ministry furniture bank, free clothes in partnership with Goodwill and self-sufficiency as well as Meals on Wheels. More on Society of Saint Vincent de Paul in St. Joseph County assistance programs.

 

 

 

Free food assistance

The Food Bank of Northern Indiana, which is located in South Bend, works with local churches and non-profit agencies throughout St. Joseph County Indiana. the charity will distribute free food, groceries, and nutritional foodstuffs. Call them at (574) 232-9986 to learn where you can pick up your free food and meals. Click here to find out information on options such as SNAP and food stamps.

As indicated, the Food Bank provides resources to local churches, charities, and non-profits. These agencies are the ones to apply at for free groceries, baby formula, food, and meals. Almost 30 other pantries and different locations operate around St. Joseph County Indiana. Find more information on their locations and contact information. Locate free food in St Joseph County.

 

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