People of all ages can be helped by York County Assistance Office. Some examples of programs offered include Pennsylvania Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), which helps low income individuals and families pay their utility and heating bills through energy assistance grants. People need not have an unpaid bill to receive energy assistance. Both regular cash grants, as well as crisis grants, are available to help pay bills. Another option is weatherization, which will install energy conserving upgrades to home. Weatherization is free to qualified individuals. Call (717) 771-1100 for more information on either program.

Community Progress Council Inc. is an antipoverty organization that runs a multitude of programs. Among them include the following. Call 771-5110.

• Rent assistance and homeless prevention - Funds to pay rent and/or prevent evictions
• Emergency food for people in a crisis
• Energy bill assistance - Get help for paying utility, heating, and water bills
• Clothing bank

Grace United Methodist Church may help with heating, electric, gas, and water bills. They can refer people to food banks. Only residents of Wrightsville Pennsylvania can apply for help.

New Hope Ministries, Dillsburg - Programs offered include food, access to medical and health care, gasoline vouchers and transportation, and access to utility programs. Call (717) 432-3053. Dover Pennsylvania also has a New Hope Ministries ((717) 292-3441))

Southern Community Services, Shrewsbury PA (dial (717) 227-0048) offers energy, housing, and childcare assistance. Food, case management, and other aid is also offered.

St. Matthew Evalengical Lutheran Church - Prescription assistance, food pantry, funds for paying utility and heating bills, water bill assistance, bus passes, and employment programs. York PA Call (717) 845-2721

Free and discounted health care services

If you are struggling with the high cost of medical and dental care, or can’t afford to pay for needed health care services, Family First Health provides primary medical and dental care to the uninsured, low income and medically under-served families and individuals in York County. Accepts insurance, medical assistance, and offers fees based on family size and income. If they can’t offer you the help you need, they also partner with other local doctors and hospitals in order provide the full range of services patients may need. They also offer a full range of dental care, including cleanings and more. Family First Health does accept health insurance if you have it, provides medical assistance, and offers fees based on family size and income. So people may qualify for free care. 717-845-8617.

 

 

Debt assistance and foreclosure prevention

Consumer Credit Counseling Service - Provides free advice to consumers on debt, housing, and credit issues. Receive assistance with the following. Call (888) 511-2227.

• HUD foreclosure counseling, including information on government mortgage programs. 
• Debt management counseling, including learn about settlement and consolidation.
• Bankruptcy advice, budgeting, and other financial counseling.

Housing Alliance of York also provide foreclosure counseling. (717) 854-1541

Legal Aid

If you need help with a civic legal case, MidPenn Legal Services may be able to provide assistance. Attorneys at this private, public-interest, non-profit law firm are committed to providing free legal advice and will do their best to provide free, equal access to justice and high quality legal services. They help with civil law matters, and the programs focus on low to moderate income persons, the elderly, disabled and survivors of domestic violence. Get legal help for evictions, foreclosures, domestic and family issues, divorce, and other cases. Click here to learn more about free legal programs, or call MidPenn Legal Services at 717-848-3605.

York County Community Action Corporation

This non-profit agency offers several programs and services. Find a listing, as well as contact information, below.

• Low Income Energy Assistance Program and Energy Crisis Intervention Program - Provides grants and financial assistance for the following types of energy. Heating oil, coal, kerosene, LP gas, electricity, wood, and more. They also run a separate crisis program that provides help to people in a crisis situation, and it offers emergency financial assistance for home heating fuel bills and even heating system repairs. Read more on heating system repair programs.
   
• Housing and foreclosure counseling - Counselors can help people deal with credit problems, guide homeowners through the wide variety of foreclosure assistance programs, and provide additional mortgage help. Click here to learn more on Pennsylvania mortgage and foreclosure programs.
   
• Medical services - They administer York County Community Health Care, which provides low income and others, including the uninsured, with access to free or discounted medical care, including dental assistance. They also accept various forms of insurance, including private as well as government programs including MaineCare, Medicare, and Medicaid.
   
• Housing programs - Get information on low income housing, and access rent programs for the low income and unemployed. They also partner with other York rental assistance agencies.

Contact York County Community Action Corporation to learn more about these or other programs. The organization can be reached at (717) 846-4600.