Assistance from community action agency

[Admin - Jon McNamara]

Calling your local community action agency is always a smart move. They continue to be one of the best places to call for assistance, no matter what state or county you live in. They try to provide short term assistance for paying bills, debts, rent, mortgages and grant programs, and at the same time offer longer term call it self-sufficiency counseling. We have most agencies listed here at community action agencies, so find your county from the list and call around for advice. Most locations are funded by federal government dollars.

I have been in contact with community action in reference to getting Rental assistance as well as help with GRU. This was my first month there and I had been severely financially strapped even before that. I was in the hospital for almost 4 years and had 10 surgeries between 2007 and 2010. I was not supposed to make it out alive....But I did!! . I came out to another battle and I am still fighting. I lost everything when I was sick including my house as I could not work. As soon as I could work, I did, but my house was already in foreclosure and I had to get a rental as to not be on the street. I am a single mom with no family, this was virtually impossible to do, but somehow I did it. During the time I was in the hospital, my ex (who is self employed) applied for food stamps and child support stating I did not have the kids 50% of the time as are original agreement stated, I had never filed against him. As I came out of a medical nightmare into a financial one, the State started aggressively seeking payment. Since I was not making income at the time and even when income did start, I could not afford to get my girls back 50% of the time and survive with my son. The state garnished my wages. I was working in Miami and living in Orland Florida to get my girls back with me but I could not sustain the 560 a month and gas AND the 380 a month in child support, the State also said since I did not have them that extra time (even though I was in the hospital) they would not back down on child support, so I had to move to Miami Florida. Now I am in dire straights trying to get everything back in line and am failing. Please help me as I will not have the GRU bill if I pay rent and I will not have the rent if I pay GRU. I am already being threatened to have my car taken as well because I did not make payments on that to pay security deposits and rent to get in this place as I have already been homeless once and do not want to ever be there again with my son. I really don't know where else to turn.

[Rachdewer]

I have been in contact with community action in reference to getting Rental assistance as well as help with GRU. This was my first month there and I had been severely financially strapped even before that. I was in the hospital for almost 4 years and had 10 surgeries between 2007 and 2010. I was not supposed to make it out alive....But I did!! . I came out to another battle and I am still fighting. I lost everything when I was sick including my house as I could not work. As soon as I could work, I did, but my house was already in foreclosure and I had to get a rental as to not be on the street. I am a single mom with no family, this was virtually impossible to do, but somehow I did it. During the time I was in the hospital, my ex (who is self employed) applied for food stamps and child support stating I did not have the kids 50% of the time as are original agreement stated, I had never filed against him. As I came out of a medical nightmare into a financial one, the State started aggressively seeking payment. Since I was not making income at the time and even when income did start, I could not afford to get my girls back 50% of the time and survive with my son. The state garnished my wages. I was working in Miami and living in Orland Florida to get my girls back with me but I could not sustain the 560 a month and gas AND the 380 a month in child support, the State also said since I did not have them that extra time (even though I was in the hospital) they would not back down on child support, so I had to move to Miami Florida. Now I am in dire straights trying to get everything back in line and am failing. Please help me as I will not have the GRU bill if I pay rent and I will not have the rent if I pay GRU. I am already being threatened to have my car taken as well because I did not make payments on that to pay security deposits and rent to get in this place as I have already been homeless once and do not want to ever be there again with my son. I really don't know where else to turn.

[Admin - Jon McNamara]

Well here are all of the assistance programs in Virginia. Scroll midway down the page to find your county of Rockingham. We have phone numbers for the community action agency as well as the Salvation Army in Rockingham area. Some do focus on children which is good for you. More on Virginia assistance programs and your phone numbers to call.

HELLO, I LIVE IN HARRISONBURG, VA WHICH IS IN ROCKINGHAM COUNTY. I NEED HELP FINDING A LOCAL COMMUNITY ACTION AGENCY TO HELP BE FINANCIALLY
WITH RENT AND UTILITIES. I ALSO NEED SOMEONE TO HELP ME REDUCE OR FILE A HARDSHIP CONCERNING THE AMOUNT I OWE THE IRS . I AM A SINGLE MOTHER WITH A LOW INCOME AND TWO CHILDREN. ANY ADVICE WOULD BE APPRECIATED.

[Future]

HELLO, I LIVE IN HARRISONBURG, VA WHICH IS IN ROCKINGHAM COUNTY. I NEED HELP FINDING A LOCAL COMMUNITY ACTION AGENCY TO HELP BE FINANCIALLY
WITH RENT AND UTILITIES. I ALSO NEED SOMEONE TO HELP ME REDUCE OR FILE A HARDSHIP CONCERNING THE AMOUNT I OWE THE IRS . I AM A SINGLE MOTHER WITH A LOW INCOME AND TWO CHILDREN. ANY ADVICE WOULD BE APPRECIATED.

[Admin - Jon McNamara]

Try calling the community action agency again. Did you do that? What did they say? The listing of agencies is here.
http://needhelppayingbills.com/html/com ... gency.html

I am needing help in paying my electric bill i am disable i have children still in school and no income at all i only get food stamps and med.cards i put in for my ssi a year ago and it is pending now i get free rent and the commuity action payed my light bill 2mos ago is there anyone that could help me with my electric bill untill i could get my ssi started thank u. God bless .

[Schamberg]

I am needing help in paying my electric bill i am disable i have children still in school and no income at all i only get food stamps and med.cards i put in for my ssi a year ago and it is pending now i get free rent and the commuity action payed my light bill 2mos ago is there anyone that could help me with my electric bill untill i could get my ssi started thank u. God bless .

[Admin - Jon McNamara]

Well all programs will have limited funding, even community action agencies. Some background on them are here. If you got $373 that is not bad. Not sure how you can complain. Also try calling your utility company if you have a disconnection notice. And if you get money from a church, once again not sure how you can complain. Good luck, and try to be a little grateful.
http://needhelppayingbills.com/html/com ... gency.html

these programs do help,and they put you through the ringer to get the money. It is a disgrace. I
just went to the Salvation Army in Texas. The community action agency in Texas; They
got a $1200 grant in Texas, i only got 373 out
of it, and instead of them putting every thing
on my bill, they keep it. I am facing a dis-
connection notice. I am disabled, job hunting,
and I am so exhausted and frustrated. They need to cut out all these agencies, they play God and games. A lot of sick,mean-spirited people are in positions of power. The church agency in this
town is a disgrace. They want you to go from
church to church for a little pledge. I am frus-trated and feel a lot of anguish! scream!!!!!!!!

[Admin - Jon McNamara]

This Monday? Kind of late to ask for help if so. So of the agencies that may have some emergency aid in Portland include Salvation Army - Cascade Division Oregon. (503) 493-3927. Another good place to call is SEI-Community Services - (503) 240-0828.
You should never heat your home with an oven. It is dangerous and could burn down your home. Be safe, and ask agencies for help before you do something like that. Maybe even your college has some programs.
http://needhelppayingbills.com/html/mul ... tance.html

I am about to have my electric shut off on Monday. There is not one community action agency, charity or government program that has funding and are not making appointments for assistance. In the last cold spell I heated my living room with my oven and ran up a $180.00 bill. I am a single mother and a full-time student. Is there any help for me where do I get LHEAP assistance.
in Portland Oregon

[Redcolor]

I am about to have my electric shut off on Monday. There is not one community action agency, charity or government program that has funding and are not making appointments for assistance. In the last cold spell I heated my living room with my oven and ran up a $180.00 bill. I am a single mother and a full-time student. Is there any help for me where do I get LHEAP assistance.
in Portland Oregon

[Admin - Jon McNamara]

So you are just looking for a community action agency? They usually can direct you to energy programs like LIHEAP, and may work directly with utility companies too. Some of the programs they may be able to offer, like weatherization, may be able to help with furnace repairs, and similar type of energy conservation improvements. Many programs do help with disabled too.
http://www.needhelppayingbills.com/html ... gency.html

I have four children, and a disabled wife. I am currently unemployed and going to college full time in order to try to better me and my family. I have received energy assistance from our local community action agency which was enough to cover one and half of our energy bills due to the very cold weather and the electric furnace our energy bill has been over three hundred dollars the past few months. If you know anyone that can help we sure would be thankful. Many programs for the disabled with kids would be nice.

[Loiut1]

these programs do help,and they put you through the ringer to get the money. It is a disgrace. I
just went to the Salvation Army in Texas. The community action agency in Texas; They
got a $1200 grant in Texas, i only got 373 out
of it, and instead of them putting every thing
on my bill, they keep it. I am facing a dis-
connection notice. I am disabled, job hunting,
and I am so exhausted and frustrated. They need to cut out all these agencies, they play God and games. A lot of sick,mean-spirited people are in positions of power. The church agency in this
town is a disgrace. They want you to go from
church to church for a little pledge. I am frus-trated and feel a lot of anguish! scream!!!!!!!!

[LewisSa1]

I have four children, and a disabled wife. I am currently unemployed and going to college full time in order to try to better me and my family. I have received energy assistance from our local community action agency which was enough to cover one and half of our energy bills due to the very cold weather and the electric furnace our energy bill has been over three hundred dollars the past few months. If you know anyone that can help we sure would be thankful. Many programs for the disabled with kids would be nice.