Calhoun, Greene, Jersey, Macoupin County assistance programs
The low income, people facing a hardship, disabled and unemployed have a large number of assistance programs, non-profits, and other organizations to turn to for financial help. Learn how to get rent assistance, foreclosure prevention, medical care, and access a large number of other assistance programs.
Financial help for bills, grants, and self-sufficiency programs
Some of the places to call for assistance and/or advice include:
Ozark Area Community Action Agency - Limited funding is available, and both Illinois state and federal government and community funds are used to provide needy residents with free food, rent, foreclosure prevention, or mortgage assistance as well as heating and utility bill assistance. Other services and resources offered include emergency assistance, one-on-one Family Support, Life Skills workshops, and Targeted Coaching, and referrals to other community programs and charities. In addition, these Neighborhood Centers work with individuals and families to help them achieve self-sufficiency and stability over the long term. Call (417) 447-0554
Salvation Army of Greene County (dial (417) 862-5509) on the first working day of a month to ask about social services. Programs include rent help, prescription medication payment assistance of up to $50 in a one-year period may be available for each household member who qualifies for medications. They also run an on site food pantry. Other resources include a new house/apartment program, aid for senior citizens, and much more.
Salvation Army Extension - Jerseyville Unit is another agency for the needy in the community. Call (618) 498-6669. They administer both emergency cash grants and financial assistance to local residents and families in emergency cases such as eviction prevention, rent assistance, utilities, homeowners facing a foreclosure and medications. They also provide food. Call (618) 498-6669
There are several other Salvation Army centers in the region, including in the Macoupin region. If a location is not near you they will often have referrals to additional low income assistance programs that are available in Illinois or at the federal government level. Read more.
The local community action agency is known as Illinois Valley Economic Development Corporation.
- Low Income Energy Assistance (LIHEAP) - This government run program was created to help low to moderate income eligible households meet the rising cost of paying for home energy and heating bills by providing financial assistance and cash grants in the form of direct payments to the household’s energy vendor or the household. A crisis or emergency assistance component of LIHEAP is also offered, and it can help with people facing a disconnection or who are running out of heating oil. This component is limited to the provision of supplemental energy assistance funds designed to help households obtain a continuous supply of home energy when faced with a disconnection. Payments and grants to pay the energy bills will be made only after a household has actually been disconnected from its energy source.
- Weatherization Program - This is free to qualified individuals, and it was designed to help low-income residents save money on their heating bills, reduce fuel use and ensure their homes are safe.
- Head Start - Offered for children. Qualified individuals of the program will receive medical and dental examinations and necessary follow-up, as well as nutrition services as part of Head Start.
- Other programs include home repairs and rehabilitation, family planning, and senior citizen transportation and aid.
Call the Gillespie based Illinois Valley Economic Development Corporation at (217) 839-4431.
Food, diapers, and non-financial support
Carrollton Area Food Pantry - Low income and needy clients are given a 3 day supply of free food and groceries, and in total it provides for 3 meals per day. In addition, a supply of personal hygiene items are also given to clients and residents in the area. For example, get free baby diapers, wipes and other items are provided to individuals when available. (217) 942-3157, and located in Carrollton Illinois.
Greenfield Food Pantry - This location may be able to offer free emergency food. Call (217) 368-2155
The North Greene Food Pantry, of Roodhouse Illinois, can pass out free food, groceries, and other aid up to once every 30 days. Call (217) 589-4990.
Gillespie Area Ministerial Association is a local non-profit that provides local and federal governmental food and commodities to those who are in need of help during a hardship. (217) 839-3577
Free health care
One location to contact is known as Bunker Hill, and it provides check ups, family practice, internal medicine, OB/GYN, prescriptions and pediatric services. Lab services are sometimes available as well. Call (618) 585-6290 for an appointment.
Foreclosure prevention, debt help, and credit counseling
Call Consumer Credit Counseling Services (phone (417) 889-7474). Work with a counselor for free one-on-one personal financial counseling and get advice. The credit or housing counselor can works out repayment arrangements directly with your creditors and mortgage servicer. The counselor can help clients get relief from debt collector phone calls, over-limit fees, and get waived or reduced late fees with credit card companies and other unsecured debt.
Some of the specialized programs include pre-foreclosure housing counseling, and mortgage delinquency counseling as well. Last, but not least, learn about debt management plans and credit education; assists with budgeting, provides pre-filing bankruptcy counseling.
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