Westmoreland County assistance programs.

Locate help with bills and other resources

Several non-profits and charities are listed below, including the Westmoreland Community Action Agency (WCA), which offers a variety of programs that will help families and individuals that need short term support, housing, education, or social services. They provide short term relief with the goal of helping families improve their standard of living and become more self-sufficient over the long term. Some of the programs they offer are below. Contact them to learn more about these programs, how to apply, and they also offer additional aid.

Mortgage Assistance Program

Residents of Westmoreland County can get money to help make their mortgage payments from the WCA community action agency. The program is for individuals who reside in Westmoreland County who have experienced an unfortunate turn of events, such as a job loss, medical emergency, or another crisis, and are temporarily unable to make their monthly mortgage payment. These families and individuals would receive short term funds to help make their mortgage payment without the burden of being obligated to repay the funds. It is important to note that the assistance provided is short term. Learn more on mortgage programs.

Food Aid

For this who are experiencing financial hardship, Westmoreland Community Action also operates an Emergency Food Pantry from our main office. The pantry will provide free food and groceries to a family or individual in a time of crisis. In addition to them distributing food themselves, referrals can also be made to similar services found in other communities and towns throughout Westmoreland County.

Energy and Heating Bill Assistance

This program provides emergency assistance to families and individuals in the county and Pittsburgh who may be having difficulty paying their energy and/or heating bills. WHO completes application and the person’s behalf and will connect those applicants to the appropriate energy assistance programs such as the Allegheny Power's LIPURP Program or the $1 Energy Program.

 

 

 

Job and Employment Services

Supported Engagement is a program that helps adults find jobs, resolve barriers, transition to education programs and locate employment. Supported Engagement is a program that runs for up to eighteen months in length with intensive case management, supportive services, including transportation assistance for program activities, and other incentives.

The WCA main office is located at 226 South Maple Avenue, Greensburg PA 15601. Phone (724) 834-1260.

 

Help for rent and energy bills

Westmoreland County officials have launched the federal government funded Homelessness Prevention and Housing Initiative. This program helps struggling people pay rent, utility bills, security deposits, and other expenses. It focuses on residents who face losing their home, who may be ejected from their rental property or apartment, or who are in danger of having their heat or electricity service turned off. 

Clients of the program will receive financial help for their housing expenses for up to 18 months after an initial consultation with a case manager. They may also be able to receive short-term help with rental payment assistance, grants for paying utility bills and rent security deposits, money for overdue utility bills and hotel vouchers if they need a place to stay.

The county government distributed the grants and money to three local nonprofit agencies, including the Westmoreland County Housing Authority (724) 832-7248, the Private Industry Council of Westmoreland/Fayette Inc., and also the Westmoreland Community Action. The housing authority was provided about $881,000 to provide rent assistance to its clients and to also assist local residents in shelters move into rent-assisted apartments. In addition, The Private Industry Council and Westmoreland Community Action were each given $429,667 to help needy residents in making rent payments, paying utility and heating bills, and funds for security deposits.

 

 

Additional ways to get help with paying utility, heating, and gas bills may be able to be provided by Allegheny Power CARES Program 1.800.207.1250, Dollar Energy Fund 724.431.2800, Dominion Peoples Natural Gas CARES Program 1.800.400.9276, Energy Assistance Screening Agency 724.834.1260, or the government funded LIHEAP 1.866.857.7095.

Free credit counseling, debt help, and foreclosure counseling

Talk to a credit or housing counselor from Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Western Pennsylvania. This non-profit organization offers free, confidential credit counseling, foreclosure assistance, and debt management plans. 1-888-511-2277. Click here to learn more about debt management and settlement programs, as well as the pros and cons.

Emergency assistance programs

Catholic Charities, which can be reached at 1-866-409-6455 provides low income and other qualified individuals with free food, utility and heating bill aid, and even the occasional housing help.

The Westmoreland area also has a branch of the Salvation Army - Western Pennsylvania Division. This agency also provides emergency assistance, food and housing products, clothing, rent assistance, and financial assistance for utility bills. 412-394-3580

The Westmoreland County Food Bank (1800-462-2080) is an organization that provides free food and groceries to almost 20,000 people per month. Pantries are located throughout Greensburg and Westmoreland County.

Health care and community clinics in Westmoreland County

These centers may be able to offer residents of Greensburg and the greater Westmoreland community access to free or low cost health care and medications. Medical bills may be charged to patients on a sliding fee scale.

• Community Health Clinic, Inc.  724.335.3334
• Community HomeHealth Care  724.837.7730
• Wesley Health Center, Inc.  724.626.2610
• Excela Home Health and Hospice  724.832.4155
• Excela Health - Latrobe Area Hospital - Prenatal Services  724.537.1002
• Tri-City Life Center, Inc.  724.339.9399

Employment services and help finding a job

With many people looking for a job, or trying to acquire new skills and increase their income, the demand for employment services is great. These organizations may be able to help.

• Armstrong County CareerLink  724.548.5693
• Career Track of Armstrong Co. - Kittanning  724.763.1999
• Central Westmoreland Career and Technology Center  724.925.3532
• Central Westmoreland Career and Technology Center  724.925.3532
• Eastern Westmoreland Career and Technology Center  724.539.9788
• PA CareerLink, Alle-Kiski  724.334.8600
• PA CareerLink, Westmoreland County  724.755.2330
• Private Industry Council of Westmoreland/Fayette, Inc.  724.836.2600
• Westmoreland County Community College  724.925.4000