Tippecanoe County assistance programs

Organizations and resources to turn to for help

If you need some short term help with bills, and at the same time need access to resources so that you can become self-sufficient over the long term, Area IV Agency on Aging and Community Action Program is an organization that may be able to help you. They offer several different programs to people in need.

Energy Assistance
This program is funded by the federal government as well as the state of Indiana, and it enables low-income and elderly households the ability to meet and pay for their rising energy and heating bills and it assures they have heat and fuel through the cold winter months. In addition, other special energy programs, such as Summer Fill and free fans and air conditioners may be available throughout the year as funding allows.

Head Start
Low-income families who have children between the ages of three and five years of age are served by this comprehensive educational assistance program that includes educational training for parents, transportation, nutritious meals, developmentally appropriate curriculum for children, mental health activities, counseling and social services, health care and special education needs for the disabled.

Legal Counseling for Seniors
This is a private monthly program that offers individual appointments with a local attorney for financial legal counseling and other advice. It is free...there is no fee for this service. The 1/2 hour sessions are conducted at the Lafayette Area IV Agency main office. They may even be able to refer people to credit counseling agencies.

Weatherization
The Weatherization Assistance Program is another free service that is provided that will reduce energy costs for low-income families, particularly the elderly, people with disabilities, and children, while ensuring their health and safety is also met and ideally improved. Professional, well trained staff use energy audit protocols and advanced diagnostic equipment to diagnose your home and they will determine which cost-effective measures should be installed to achieve the greatest conservation for your home and also have the best cost payback.

Stop by or contact the Area IV Agency on Aging & Community Action Programs, Inc. at 660 N. 36th Street, Lafayette, Indiana, or call them at (765) 447-7683.

 

 

 

Foreclosure Counseling and Mortgage Assistance

Indiana Legal Services, which is located 639 Columbia St. in Lafayette, offers free legal representation, consultation and other advice for low to moderate income clients in the areas of housing issues, foreclosure, public benefits, and family, consumer and senior law, credit card law, and mortgage problems.

They do offer limited free foreclosure counseling. However, because of poor economic conditions, the attorneys are spending more time on provide foreclosure help as well as state mortgage foreclosure project. They also offer credit counseling.

If a local family starts getting behind on mortgage payments they should call as soon as possible, before it is too late. The office is receiving at least one application a day for the foreclosure counseling services, which offers legal help and possible mediation in foreclosure discussions. You need to visit the Indiana Legal Services to request information. Find other ways to get Indiana mortgage assistance.