Wake County assistance programs.

Summer cooling bill assistance

People who are struggling in today’s difficult economy and other lower income individuals who can’t afford to pay to cool their homes during the hot summer months may qualify for Wake County’s Cool for Wake assistance program. Through September 1 of each year the Cool for Wake program will provide free fans to qualified individuals and families. Find other ways to get help with energy bills. More.

During the hot North Carolina summer months, many individuals can be negatively impacted by prolonged exposure to extreme heat and hot temperatures. Cool for Wake’s was created to help reach out to Wake County families and individuals who are vulnerable to these negative effects as many lower income households do not have air conditioning as they can’t afford to pay for it or they may not be able to pay for the increase in summer energy costs to cool their homes. Each year hundreds of people in Wake County are helped. Dial 919-212-7083.

Wake County assistance paying for heating bills

Starting in November, Wake County accepts applications for the North Carolina Low-Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP). They also offer emergency assistance for individuals and families who are facing disconnection of gas or electricity. These so called crisis grants are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

If you apply and are accepted, eligible households can receive a check from the LIEAP program that is used for help in paying their winter heating bills.

Applications to the program can be filed at the locates below, or call 919-212-7000 for more information.

Swinburne Human Services Building
220 Swinburne St., Raleigh
Monday – Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Tuesday, November 10, 2009, and Thursday, November 12, 2009, hours will be 7:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Eastern Regional Center
1002 Dogwood Drive, Zebulon
Monday – Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Southern Regional Center
130 N. Judd Parkway NE, Fuquay-Varina
Monday – Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Northern Regional Center
350 E. Holding Ave., Wake Forest
Monday and Wednesday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

 

 

 

Free Health Care

Several hospitals in the Triangle area provide free health care and charity care. Read more. The programs are targeted at low to moderate income families in the regions. People who qualify can have their bills and debt eliminated.

Another free clinic that may be able to help is Urban Ministries of Wake County. The program is known as the Open Door Clinic, and it is a very successful, thriving non-profit medical facility that is operated through partnerships with individual non-profit organizations, county assistance, the United Way, foundation, and private contributions to provide comprehensive medical care for uninsured adults. 832-5138

If you do not have health insurance try Open Door Clinic, which is run by Urban Ministries of Wake County, provides free medical and health care treatment to eligible persons without health insurance in the area. Dial (919) 836-1642.

Low income and uninsured adults may be able to receive help from Mariam Clinic. (919) 824-4672. The clinic is a local non-profit organization that provides low cost quality health care to low-income, uninsured adults in Wake County.

Mission Medical & Pediatric Clinic ((919) 828-9014) provides free healthcare for people referred by the Salvation Army and the homeless in Wake County.

Dental Clinic (WakeMed) provides variable cost dental care. They provide emergency dental services to the Raleigh and Wake community. Call (919) 350-8015.

Other health and dental centers operate in Raleigh and Wake County North Carolina. Find more Wake County community clinics.

Wake County emergency help for rent, mortgage, bills, medications, food and other expenses

Another non-profit agency to turn to for help is Urban Ministries of Wake County. They can offer prescription and employment assistance. Limited funding may also be available to help pay rent and utility bills. The agency helps hundreds of people per year fill their prescription medications, and they can have funds available for other bills as well. 836-1642

Another option is The Salvation Army of Raleigh and Wake County, which offers financial assistance to those in need to help pay for for utilities and rent. Help is provided for up to 8 people per day. You need to call the office between 8am and 9am at 919 834.6733. Funds will be paid for a utility bill (final notice needed) or to help pay rent (funds to help with court eviction papers and excluding deposits and first month). In addition, the non-profit agency may be able to provide food and or new or gently used clothing.

The Church of the Good Shepherd offers community services programs. The assistance programs they provide can offer rent and/or utility bill assistance to persons in need in the Raleigh and Wake County area. In addition, the agency also has a soup kitchen on site. If interested in applying, you a letter verifying need of rental assistance from a company (the letter can’t be from an individual landlord) and/or a copy of an utility bill. Dial (919) 831-2019. Raleigh North Carolina.

Community Outreach runs a program called the Friendship Fund. Call them at (919) 833-4070. The fund may be able to help with mortgage, rent, utilities and cooling bills, and other emergency assistance on a once a year basis to those in need of help. The agency is a great place to turn to for information on assistance programs and counseling. For example, click here to learn about payday loan alternatives.

Apex North Carolina based Western Wake Crisis Ministry runs a food and bill assistance program for residents who live in the western part of Wake County. Financial aid and money may be available to qualified individuals at maximum once per year in emergency or a crisis situation. Help and money may be available for rent, mortgage payments, utilities, and prescription drugs. In addition a food pantry available once every 30 days. (919) 362-0657

Social Concerns is based in Cary. Their phone number is (919) 469-9861. This agency can refer people to local charities as well as federal and North Carolina government programs. In addition, they may be able to provides emergency help with free food, clothing, funds for utility bills, rent, housing expenses, and more. Of course funding may be limited.

Garner Area Ministries ((919) 772-9100) can help individuals and families 1 to 3 times per year, depending on their need. They can provides food and groceries for the hungry in the community, a clothing closet and financial assistance for every day expenses. Eligible individuals may be able to receive food and clothing every 3 months and financial assistance for paying their rent, prescription, or utilities 1 time per year. Located in Garner NC.

Energy Assistance Program (WCHS - ESS) - This agency/program provides cash grants and financial assistance to clients in a heating or cooling related crisis, ie: heating bills, utilities, oil, wood, etc. Specifically, get access to and information on CP&L Project Share ($200/application with a max. benefit of $400/yr.), the federal government Low Income Energy Assistance Payment Program (LIEAP), as well as Warmth for Wake (max. benefit is $200, and clients are not eligible for other programs in heating crisis). Click here for more on electric bill help, or call the Raleigh North Carolina program at (919) 212-7000.

Women's Center Of Wake County, which is based in Raleigh and can be reached at (919)829-3711, can provide housing support and services, including rent assistance.

Urban Ministries Of Raleigh offers a wide variety of assistance programs for the low income. Some of them include, but are not limited to, rent help, job counseling, information on federal and state of North Carolina government programs, and landlord and foreclosure counseling. (919)836-1642

Triangle Family Services is another non-profit that can provide housing and rent help. They serve both Wake County, as well as the surrounding area as well. They can also refer people to local section 8 housing programs. (919)821-0790

The City of Raleigh also administers several assistance programs for the low income, working poor, elderly, and other qualified individuals. Some of the services and resources provided include Weatherization and Home Repair which can help people save money on energy bills, Education and Job Counseling, Housing Development, Rental Assistance and Programs, Housing Finance, Housing Rehabilitation, Rental Housing Management, and Landlord/Tenant Counseling. (919)857-4330

 

 

Catholic Charities Emergency Financial Assistance – Regardless of background or religion, apply for emergency financial assistance to help with paying for food, rent, housing or utility bills. Offers an active outreach program to the Hispanic population as well. Call ((919) 286-1964) or (919) 821-9752. Address is 715 Nazareth Street, Raleigh, North Carolina 27609.

Support Services - The various services offered include financial assistance counseling (including direct cash assistance to prevent eviction, utility disconnect, or to help with purchasing medications as funds allow); legal information; health services and education workshops on a variety of life and social skills development. 128 E. Hargett St., Ste. 10, Raleigh, NC 27601. Call (919) 829-3711

Southern Wake Faith Community in Action – The not for profit can provide emergency financial assistance, grants, information and referral in the communities of Willow Spring and Fuquay-Varina for those experiencing crises situations related to shelter, housing, utilities and other basic needs. 605 Bridge St., Fuquay Varina, North Carolina 27526. (919) 567-8100

Emergency rent assistance programs - Individuals who are faced with an eviction, or who need funds to move into a new home or apartment, have a number of organizations they can contact for housing assistance. These agencies and churches focus on providing help with paying rent to Wake County and Raleigh families. Find a full listing of Wake County rent assistance programs and non-profit agencies.

Wake County assistance programs and organizations that also cover all of North Carolina

Find programs that can help people across Raleigh, Wake County, and all of North Carolina. For example, receive free food, foreclosure prevention, counseling, energy assistance, and other support.

• North Carolina Section 8 housing
• North Carolina foreclosure and mortgage programs
• North Carolina HUD foreclosure counseling
• North Carolina free health care from community clinics
• North Carolina energy and utility bill help
• North Carolina free legal aid
• North Carolina free dental clinics
• North Carolina medical debt collection laws
• North Carolina food banks and pantries

Job finding services

Also offered by Urban Ministries (phone number is above). This service, which is run by the Urban Ministries helps the jobless, unemployed and underemployed job seekers find a job and develop their skills. Get help and advice with resume writing, access to job training and supportive services, and job readiness classes as well.

Food assistance programs and pantries

Some of the places that distribute food around Wake County and the Raleigh NC area include

• Wendell United Methodist Church Food Pantry which also covers Zebulon. (919) 365-6266.
• North Raleigh Ministries is another local charity. (919) 785-9911.
• Brooks Avenue Clothing Closet and Food Pantry offers both clothes and food. (919) 821-2400. 
• Yet another option is Food Pantry & Clothing Closet, and their number is (919) 833-8526.

If none of these options work for you, find additional Raleigh NC food banks as well as locations across the greater Wake county area.

Housing and rent assistance

The local Wake County makes funds and cash grants available to assist in housing situations that involve a child. It you have a kid and need help paying monthly rent, or a housing security deposit or if you are facing an eviction, the Wake County government may be able to help. If you are interested in this service or applying, please dial 919-212-7000

Garner North Carolina Foreclosure Assistance

The town of Garner is assisting individuals and families who are facing mortgage foreclosure and / or a default on their home loan. Residents can receive free counseling and foreclosure assistance.

A Housing and Urban Development-approved Local Housing Counseling Agency, Telamon Corporation, is offering, for free, its Housing Counseling and Foreclosure Prevention Assistance Program. All Garner residents can learn more or apply. The company offers a complete range of housing services and resources that can help someone save their home, including fair housing assistance, loss mitigation, mortgage delinquency and default resolution counseling, home buyer education programs, and pre-purchase counseling.

All of the counseling services as well as housing financial services are offered free of charge to people in need of help. No fees or donations are required.

To find out more about this foreclosure assistance program, contact Reginald Buie, who is the neighborhood improvement manager, at 919-773-4446

Raleigh and Wake County foreclosure programs

Triangle Family Services is a United Way supported agency that offer credit, housing, and foreclosure programs. In regards to people faced with losing their home, they may be able to turn to the Home Protection Program, and more traditional foreclosure counseling. Click here to learn more on the North Carolina Home Protection Program, or dial 832-5138 for help.

Free legal aid and consultations

Wake County families can turn to Legal Aid of North Carolina. This is a statewide, non-profit law firm that provides free legal services and advice in civil matters to low income people. Receive free foreclosure help, debt and credit collection support, and assistance with preventing evictions from homes and apartments. Call 828-4647 for information on legal programs.

 

 

Debt Assistance

Vision Credit Education, Inc., which can be reached at (800) 379-4720, can advise people who are dealing with debt on their options. Their mission is to improve financial literacy and skills among working families, and help people deal with debts, bankruptcies, and other financial hardships.

Credit counselors at the Raleigh based Triangle Family Services (832-5138) work closely with people who are struggling with their debts and bills to offer them credit repair and debt reduction services. They can work directly with your credit card companies, hospitals, or other creditors. Learn more about solutions such as hardship programs and debt settlement. The bottom line is you need to get your fiscal house in order if you are going to be successful over the long term.

Raleigh NC based CESI Debt Solutions (919) 785-0725 is a local Non-profit Credit Counseling, Debt Management and HUD Certified Foreclosure Housing Counseling Agency. Also learn about NC debt collection laws and regulations.

Credit Counselors of Raleigh provides people in debt with budget and financial counseling. Offers assistance with debt repayment plans, consolidation, and settlement. The non-profit also provides educational seminars and workshops to individuals on the wise use of credit. Assists with alternatives to bankruptcy. Counselors at the organization provide telephone, face to face, internet and counseling. Phone (919) 875-0900.

A number of other credit counseling and HUD certified housing agencies can help consumers and homeowners in the greater Raleigh area. Some resources provided are free. Locate more Raleigh and Wake County credit counseling agencies.