Anoka County Community Action Agency financial aid programs.
Operating across Anoka County, the local Community Action Agency known as ACCAP provides short term assistance to low income and struggling families. As part of the process, clients will also be able to participate in case management services, and this touches upon needs such as employment and credit counseling.
All resources are limited, but Anoka County Community Action Program may be able to help families facing a crisis by offering grants for utility bills, food, or medications. They do not cover back rent payments, but the funds are for non-housing costs. Many other services are available as well, including SNAP Outreach, case management from Family Assets for Independence, and more.
Crisis, or emergency assistance, is a form of financial help and referrals to those individuals facing an extreme hardship. Funds are available from ACCAP for a variety of circumstances. The financial aid, in which a portion may be a loan, can assist with paying prescription drugs and non-housing costs.
Another component of this is Utility Bill Assistance, which entails the conservation of energy to help clients lower energy bills during cold weather months. There may also be grants for paying these expenses, as part of the state's version of LIHEAP. For eligible homeowners and renters, the program will assist them towards payment of their heating, natural gas and electric bills.
ACCAP Rental Housing provides multifamily housing to working poor or low income individuals or families who reside in Anoka County. As part of this, ACCAP removes many obstacles for families to achieve a home environment that is affordable, safe, and healthy, helping to ensure future success.
Weatherization is now administered by CAPRW, and the phone number for the program is 651-482-8260. This service was designed to provide energy saving improvements, and it is an option for both tenants and homeowners. The program is for income-qualified households of the Energy Assistance program.
When seeking help, elderly, disabled or high fuel consumption households are given first priority. After enrolling, inspections via an auditor are done to assess the furnace, home, insulation, attic and walls for unnecessary heat loss, determining eligibility for weatherization. If the residence is found eligible, families that reside there will meet the goal of conserving energy, lowering their utility costs, and overall make the home a comfortable environment. As noted, for information or applications to weatherization dial CAPRW at 651-482-8260.
Get help with applying for food stamps. The agency offers SNAP Outreach and Application Assistance (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program), and this government resource provides extra money for those in need of food. ACCAP provides assistance with providing information on SNAP, screening candidates and helping them fill out the necessary paperwork for the program. All screenings are confidential and further assistance with completing the application process is available. Call 763-783-4929 for guidance.
Child Care Assistance is available as a sliding fee program in Anoka County. It was designed to provide subsidies to help low income parents pay for child care costs. Families must meet certain income requirements as set by the agency and need child care coverage to allow parents to attend school, work or search for employment.
The age requirement for children is 13 years or under or 15 years if they have special needs, such as disabled. Parents in the home must be engaged in an approved activity in order to sign up for day care. The Anoka County Community Action Program Child Care Assistance Programs is supported federal and state of Minnesota funding.
While there is some aid available, the family must contribute a portion of money towards the child care costs. This is called a “co-pay” and the amount that is due is individually based on family size and income.
The Head Start Program is a multi-tiered family and child development service for income-eligible households in Washington as well as Anoka Counties in Minnesota. The program was created to assist pregnant women and children from birth to 5 years along with their families to create a life of independence and self-reliance. It gives eligible children from lower income households a head start when it comes to learning. In addition to that, it assists parents in maintaining long term family stability and security.
The Home Buyer Education and Counseling program from Anoka County Community Action Program was designed to help eligible low to moderate-income individuals or first-time home-buyers. It can provide them with clear instructions to prepare financially for a mortgage loan approval.
The first step is attendance at a series of Home Stretch Workshops organized by ACCAP which entail handouts, expert guidance and study guides from guest speakers. Staff is available for providing one on one financial counseling, offering assistance with budgeting, credit issues, and loan program information for active participants.
FAIM (Family Assets for Independence) is an Individual Development Account (IDA) service created for low wage earners to help them acquire assets through a matched savings plan. For those that qualify, earned income is saved by the participants which is then matched $3 dollars to them, $1 for savings. This is all done in a 2 year period with the hopeful outcome of an education, homeownership or creation of a small business.
Other support is available too. Financial Fitness Education training and monthly budget counseling is provided over 12 hours by the community action agencies FAIM program. For eligibility, please call a coordinator to be considered.
The Chores and More Program (formerly known as Handy Works) provides seniors with housekeeping help. Other components of it include some minor repairs and seasonal tasks for the home. Screened, private contractors and volunteers from churches, school or other community programs in Anoka Minnesota will assist seniors in these tasks. The goal of Chores and More is to provide help for temporary or chronic situations and allows seniors, even those with a disability, to live safely and independently in the comfort of their own homes.
Referrals are available from the Anoka County Community Action Program Senior Information Line. This was set up as a phone service designed for older persons or family members to connect quickly to various non-profit community resources or government agencies The program has access to a database with 2400+resources, regarding housing, transportation, chores or other various areas of support is available to anyone who calls. Dial 763.783.4707.
Senior Outreach led by ACCAP is a program designed for meeting needs and support for frail or isolated older adults who reside in Anoka County. Outreach workers and volunteers of the non-profit take calls and visit requests from family members, friends, neighbors, or the individuals themselves to discuss appropriate programs to meet their needs.
Once contact is established by a staff member of the agency, the senior citizen has access to supportive services like food shelves, Public Health Nursing, Meals on Wheels, income support, senior clubs and several other available community resources.
While any elderly person in the service territory may receive a visit, however, a special focus is placed on low-income individuals and those that are struggling financially. The Senior Outreach worker will also help with the application process and various paperwork that needs to be filled out.
Apply for assistance
The location of ACCAP is 1201 - 89th Avenue N.E., Blaine, MN 55434. Call them at 763.783.4747.
|
