Merrimack County assistance programs.
Education and job training
A local Merrimack organization, Second Start (phone 228.1341) offers several educational and job training opportunities and programs for adolescents and adults including GED, English as a second language, training and professional office skills. The facility also includes a full-time child care facility on site.
Legal Counsel and Pro Bono Representation
If you need help with a civil legal case in Merrimack New Hampshire, lawyers from the NH Pro Bono Referral System may be able to help. Attorneys from this non-profit law firm provides legal assistance and representation at no charge to low-income families, the disabled and senior citizens. They can provide advice for domestic issues, rent evictions, foreclosure assistance, and offer help from debt collectors. Dial 224.6942 to learn more and to be put in touch with an attorney.
Another law firm to turn to for help is NH Legal Assistance. This is a statewide non-profit law firm, so the number of resources and services they offer is greater than NH Pro Bono Referral System. NH Legal Assistance will providing free legal advice, counsel, and even court representation in non-criminal matters to low-income and elderly NH residents. They can also help with landlord/tenant cases, utility disconnections, foreclosures, predatory lending and more. Call them at 1.800.562.3174, or learn more on free legal advice programs.
Assistance from local non-profit
All of the assistance programs referenced below are administered from the Community Action Program of Belknap-Merrimack Counties, Inc. This non-profit agency provides low to moderate income people as well as the elderly with grants to pay bills, advice, and referrals to other local charities and state or federal government programs. They have several offices around the region.
Many of the resources they offer are listed below. However the non-profit can also provide other forms of assistance to struggling residents and their families, ranging from job training from WIA to Head Start or free food from Emergency Food Assistance. They are also the place to turn to in order to learn about grants for various expenses, such as rent or fuel bills. More Community Action of Merrimack County.
The nearest Salvation Army is located in Concord and can be reached at (603) 225-5586. This is one of the leading social service agencies for New Hampshire, as well as the entire nation. The non-profit administer several different emergency assistance programs for the low income and needy in Merrimack County.
Family Service programs can also help deal with a crisis, and provide case management to the less fortunate. Some example of what can be provided include emergency rental and utility bill assistance. Other resources can provide free food, meals, and other non-cash support. Holiday help is provided too, such as free toys from the Angel Tree program and meals at Thanksgiving and Christmas. Or students from across the county can get free back to school supplies, backpacks, and items for the school year from the Salvation Army. More on Salvation Army assistance programs Merrimack County.
Loaves & Fishes is administered from a location at Our Lady Of Fatima Catholic Church, and the address is 75 Main Street, New London, New Hampshire 03257, dial (800) 978-6395. The non-profit offers limited amounts of financial assistance for paying home heating fuel and electric bills, telephone expenses, medications, and more. The location may also distribute baby food and formula.
Town Offices in Merrimack County provide long term assistance. Some examples of the towns are below, however call yours for more information. Each town is required by state law to provide financial assistance or grants for paying for basic necessities such as shelter, food, rent, housing and mortgage payments, utility bills including heat, electric, and water, and other living expenses. If they can’t provide you cash, they can direct individuals to other local or government programs for free clothing, food, and health care. Also basic telephone service may be paid if a phone is necessary for safety or health needs.
Other aid offered by towns include diapers, paper products, and household supplies. Merrimac towns may pay for medical bills if there is no other way for the resident to obtain essential medical services. Rent and/or deposits may be paid out too.
- Allenstown Town Office, 16 School Street, Allenstown, New Hampshire , (603) 485-4276
- Andover Town Office, 31 School Street, Andover, NH 03216, dial (603) 735-5332
- Danbury Town Office, 23 High Street, Danbury, New Hampshire , phone (603) 768-3313
Emergency Assistance Network - EAN, First Congregational Church - Concord is located at 177 North Main Street. Concord, NH 03301-5039. Nine churches work together as part of the Greater Concord Interfaith Council. The financial assistance programs offered are mainly designed to assist low income people with current emergency housing and rental needs that cannot be met through traditional government aid or social service programs. Please keep in mind that a notice of Decision documents from City/State of New Hampshire Welfare and/or CAP are required for any type of financial help to be obtained.
Find a participating church, and call or stop by for assistance. Some aid may be offered directly by the location, or they may refer you to local non-profits or government programs in Merrimack County. Churches and Faith Communities that are part of the EAN include First Congregational, Wesley United Methodist Church, Bow Mills Methodist Church, East Congregational, Temple Beth Jacob, West Congregational, St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Immaculate Heart of Mary, and the church at South Congregational.
NH Electric Assistance Program (EAP) for Merrimack County
This utility and heating assistance program provides qualified eligible customers a discount on their monthly electric bills. The discount will range anywhere from 5% to 70% off their bills, depending on the applicants gross household income. Customers of the following utility companies may apply for the discount from the NH Electric Assistance Program. New Hampshire Electric Cooperative, National Grid, Unitil Energy Systems.(formerly Unitil/Concord Electric and Unitil/Exeter & Hampton Electric Companies, and Public Service of New Hampshire.
Fuel assistance program (FAP)
This program offered by the Meredith community action agency (phone number above) will assist low and moderate income-eligible households with paying their energy and heating bills during the heating season. If you rent your home, as well as homeowners, are eligible to apply for a for a grant through the Fuel Assistance Program. Your exact eligibility and the amount of any benefits paid out will be determined by the number of household members, your annual energy usage, as well as combined gross income.
Rent assistance and homeless prevention
There are two separate housing programs. The first is the Homeless Prevention, and that provides funds to provide one-time emergency assistance and cash grants to families and individuals to help them prevent homelessness that may be caused by eviction, a utility or heating service disconnect, no heat, etc. The other program is New Start Program, which provides prevention/intervention, housing, support services, and rent funds. Find additional ways to get rent help. More.
NH Security Deposit Loan Guarantee Program
This housing assistance program provides a security deposit guarantee to landlords for income-eligible individuals/families to assist in securing housing and help them rent a home or apartment. For information, call (603) 225-3295.
Emergency energy bill help
The Neighbor Helping Neighbor Program provides emergency aid to those people who have experienced a financial hardship and have a utility or heating service shut off. Free cash grants of up to $300 may be available to qualifying households once in a 24 month period that will be applied toward utility bills. In addition it is important to note that those households with a member over 60 years old need not have a shut off notice to apply, so they can get the help regardless.
Stop by the main office of the Community Action Program of Belknap-Merrimack Counties, Inc. in Concord. Or call them at (603) 225-3295 to learn more about their services and programs.
Merrimack New Hampshire food banks and distribution centers
Residents have access to almost 30 different food banks and pantries in the region. Each location will do its best to meet a families need, and will try not to turn anyone away who need help. Not only can most of the food banks in Merrimack County distribute free food, meals, and groceries, but many centers have volunteers or social workers who can help people apply for programs such as WIC or food stamps. Also find clothing and other aid. Find some examples of locations below, or click here for additional food pantry addresses.
- Friends Of Forgotten Children can be reached at (603) 753-4801.
- The Emergency Assistance Network has many churches and non-profits that provide food, referrals, and information. (603) 225-8575
- First Baptist Church food pantry - (603) 938-5313
|
