Assistance programs from Community Action of Greater Indianapolis, Inc.
Several different needs can be met by the Community Action of Greater Indianapolis, Inc. They provide financial assistance, grant money, budgeting and employment solutions and more to people both in the metropolitan area and across Marion County. While the focus is on longer term support and self-sufficiency, the non-profit may be able to provide limited amounts of short term financial assistance for paying bills or refer clients to government programs.
The goal of the community action agency in Marion County Indiana is to help people overcome a financial hardship. This includes everything from emergency, short term help to pay utility bills or housing to food or education and employment resources.
Utility bill help, food, and housing resources
Energy bill assistance is offered from federally funded resources, with a focus on helping with winter heating bills. The two main options are the Energy Assistance Program (EAP), which may have grants for paying utility and heating bills. The other main resource is Weatherization Assistance, which can help households save money. These programs may be able to offer Marion County families with potentially life-saving interventions. In addition, they provide valuable homeowner education and conservation measures.
Receive a credit on your heating bills (and maybe cooling expenses) from the Energy Assistance Program. This is Indiana's version of LIHEAP. The focus is on people who are most at risk without their power.
Conservation and Weatherization can help people with saving money. It is free to those that qualify. Receive help in the form of appliance and furnace repairs, air sealing and extra insulation. Weatherization also offers a number of health and safety benefits, along with long term savings, to Indianapolis households.
Community Action of Greater Indianapolis is closely involved in both of these programs. They will even generally perform weatherization services on the residences of income qualified clients. The programs are mostly funded by the US Health & Human Services as well as the Department of Energy (DOE). More information on energy bill help and weatherization in Indiana.
Food programs are also administered by the Community Action of Greater Indianapolis, Inc., often in partnership with local non-profits and food pantries. One resource is the CAGI’s Holiday Meal Program. This will offer people a free family meal at Christmas time. As resources allow, the family will be provided canned and boxed nonperishable goods and also vouchers that they can use to shop for other food items.
Housing programs include minor repairs, improvements, and modifications. Funding for this program will vary widely from year to year. If funding is available, the community action agency can provide Marion County families with assistance such as roof repair/replacement, electrical wiring, gutters, plumbing updates, floor, and maybe even foundation repairs. This will be for low income qualified homeowners.
Seniors can also take advantage of the Community Action of Greater Indianapolis, Inc. low rent apartments. Almost all of the units available will be units for the elderly and senior citizens in the region.
All of this support can be arranged in Indianapolis and the county, as well as rehousing and homeless prevention. CAGI may even have information on grants for paying rent or legal aid to stop evictions, ESG from HUD, homeless prevention and other resources. Most of these are annual programs with funds first come and served. More on Rapid rehousing in Indiana.
Budgeting, employment, and stability services from Community Action of Greater Indianapolis
Self-sufficiency and case-management is offered from the community action agencies Family Development and Education programs. This is for eligible households. They can receive help and guidance in developing life skills that promote self-sufficiency, employment, and education. Work on exiting and moving away from poverty. In general, those people who receive any financial aid from Community Action of Greater Indianapolis, Inc. will be able to enroll into these case management services.
The FDP programs will help participants with both increasing their family stability and achieving mid to long term self-sufficiency. Staff work closely with clients to create a unique plan for self-sufficiency. They can receive the supportive services they need to enable them to meet goals.
Seniors who care for children can get help from the Foster Grandparents program. This will also help children with special needs.
Financial literacy, budgeting and other workshops and classes are held in Marion County. The programs will, among other things, encourage economic enhancement. Get more information and support when it comes to money management. This includes credit repair, debt reduction, financial education, understanding the importance of saving, and more.
Most of financial literacy is focused on adults. Participants will receive the tools for avoiding credit card and medical debt and also tips on how to eliminate any existing loans or debts. All of these sessions are confidential and are held by specialists.
Budgeting and Money Management classes are held in one on one sessions. Get help in meeting financial goals and learn about money management techniques and banking products that can help people reach their goals. Other sessions can provide insight on credit scores and different ways of dealing with debt, choosing the right insurance for your needs and much more.
The last housing resource available is counseling. Homeowners and tenants can be provided support in the areas budgeting, eviction prevention, foreclosure prevention, loss mitigation, first-time home purchase and reverse mortgage education. Another focus is on helping families save money, which is critical to the credit repairs process.
There may be unclaimed money too. As part of counseling, the staff at the Community Action of Greater Indianapolis and Marion County can go over how some funds can be unclaimed, such as a distant death of a family member, garnishments, creditors have a bad address and the like. There are ways to search government databases for cash, by social security number, name, address, or other methods. Continue reading on free unclaimed money search by social security number.
How to apply for Marion County Indiana community action agency programs
To learn more, call the Community Action of Greater Indianapolis, Inc. The primary office is at 3266 North Meridian Street, Indianapolis, IN 46208. The main phone number is (317) 396-1800.
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