Assistance programs Plymouth County Massachusetts.
Low income households, senior citizens, and the disabled can get financial help from churches, charities, or government assistance programs. Find help with paying rent, mortgages or security deposits. Or get grants to pay water, heating or utility bills or get free food from a local pantry or back to school supplies from a seasonal service.
There is also free medical or dental care, prescription drugs, transportation programs, and other support in Plymouth County. Another focus is on self-sufficiency, and find a community action agency below that may have grant money. Children can also get free Christmas toys or essential clothes. Find how to get help in the Brockton area as well as Quincy and county below.
Organizations that assist with bills and give financial assistance
There are several different places that people can turn to if they need assistance with expenses, including heating and utility bills, health care costs, rent, and more. Some of these organizations will also help people find jobs and provide them with training. Continue reading below to find details on some of the options you may have.
Self Help, Inc. is a local community action agency that has a few goals, including administering energy assistance programs, they are trying to make housing more affordable by offering energy and housing rehab programs, and they try to reduce barriers to employment through the provision of free or discounted childcare and childcare resources. They have several offices around the Plymouth County Massachusetts area, but contact them at (508) 588-0447 to apply or learn more.
- Fuel Assistance program - Helps over 10,000 people per year pay for winter heating bills and other utility bills. The program operates annually from November 1 through April 30. It will provide grants and assistance for paying heating bills, and ensure people do not lost their service.
- In addition, Self Help works closely with Citizens Energy Corporation (CEC) and the free heating oil they offer from the oil heat program and the Distrigas program. This partnership allows people to receive additional assistance who have used up all of their Fuel Assistance benefits. Also keep in mind that Fuel Assistance clients may also be able to receive discounts on their telephone and utility bills. Last, but not least, the Energy Bucks program is another way to let more people know about fuel assistance that is available to them, discount rates and energy efficiency and weatherization programs.
- Self Help Community Outreach Program - This will help people meet basic needs, including housing and rent assistance programs, employment and job training, food aid and pantries, and more.
- Weatherization Program - This free program is funded by the federal government. SSCAC administers the programs and it allows them to insulate and make minor energy efficiency related repairs and improvements to the apartments and homes of Fuel Assistance eligible households. The program does work, and weatherization assistance has been shown to reduce average annual energy costs by about $400 per household.
- Emergency Assistance - If you are facing a crisis, emergency assistance may be available to help you deal with a crisis. Funds may be available to pay a water bill, rent, or some other type of unforeseen expense. Call SSCAC at the number above.
- Employment Training Programs - A decent job is critical to someone becoming self-sufficient. Some of what is offered is a Community Partnership Training Subsidy Program, Head Start and Child Care Parent Training, and also CDL with School Bus Training. There are also government grants for employment costs.
As noted, Self-Help has multiple locations, including in Quincy, Brockton, Wareham and other town in Plymouth County. For intake or information, dial (508) 588-0447. South Shore Community Action Council (SSCAC) is another local, non profit organization that offers several options and services to local residents. They also offer the fuel assistance program mentioned above. They are located at 265 South Meadow Road, Plymouth, MA 02360, and the telephone number is (508) 747-7575.
Quincy Community Action Plymouth County - While based in Quincy, the agency services dozens of towns and communities in the county. The agency is a non-profit, but partially funded by the government as well as donation services. This local organization offers residents with various types of assistance, including the items listed below. If needed, low income families can look for other community action programs, and find a community action agency near you.
Food as well as Nutrition Services range from applications to Head start meals/snacks for kids to SNAP benefits. They also work with a regional food bank in the Southwest part of the county. The Community Action Agency of Quincy works on the coordination of delivery to the homebound, emergency food aid and transportation to acquire groceries for those that can’t make it to the store in towns such as Braintree..
Emergency rent, heating bills, and crisis assistance can help prevent homelessness. There may be limited funds or loans, and they also offer foreclosure prevention services. Some of the housing assistance includes assistance with utility payments, free foreclosure prevention counseling, applications to LIHEAP or weatherization and grants for mortgage and rent payments.
Another resource in towns such as Quincy, Milton, and Braintree is the Automobile and Transportation Assistance. This is mostly Job related, out of town transportation for medical emergencies as well as relaged appointments.
The non-profit community action agency of Quincy offers many other resources. They provide money management as well as debt advice, Adult Education, resources for child development (including vouchers for day care), and much more. The assistance often includes referrals too. The address is 1509 Hancock Street in Quincy, MA 02169. Dial 617-479-8181.
Plymouth non-profits and churches coordinate Christmas and Thanksgiving assistance programs for struggling families. The priority is on helping children from low to moderate income families as well as seniors and the disabled. There may also be holiday help for new mothers. Resources provided include a free gift, article of clothing, and of course the family may be given a hot holiday meal. Locate free holiday help in Plymouth County.
Catholic Charitable Bureau of the Brockton and Plymouth County. There are multiple churches, but the main one is at 686 North Main Street. City is Brockton, Massachusetts, 02301, or dial (508) 587-0815. A number of assistance programs are run to help address the complex issues that many individuals and families face.
Some of the services administered to qualified individuals include mortgage and rental payment assistance, free food pantries, or there may be a little money for security deposits. Grants can be used to utilities (including heating, electric, and gas bills) or apply for free legal aid. There is also free pregnancy counseling, and holiday programs, such as Christmas meals and gifts.
Free debt and mortgage help is for Plymouth County residents. The cost of living (in particular housing) in the region is very high. Counselors can assist with all sorts of bills and debts. These include foreclosure prevention programs, auto loan payment help, home loan modifications, mortgage help, bankruptcy and much more. Find details on free credit counseling in Massachusetts.
Rental programs - Tenant facing an eviction in Plymouth County, as well as those that have unusual circumstances, can look into non-profit or government assistance. There may be funds or grants for back rent for families that are otherwise self-sufficient, transitional housing for women and children, and even a few security deposit or free motel voucher programs in Brockton. Read more Plymouth County rent assistance.
South Shore Housing is a government affiliated agency that runs several rent as well as housing programs in Plymouth County Massachusetts. Families facing eviction or the homeless may get help with paying their rent or security deposits from the Residential Aid to Families in Transition Program. Other resources available from South Shore include section 8 housing vouchers, shelters, and transitional apartments and homes for the less fortunate and seniors. Learn more on South Shore Housing.
Salvation Army of Plymouth County Massachusetts has multiple Family Service Centers and Thrift stores. There are two locations in the county. The addresses ar 8 Carver Street, Plymouth, MA, 02360, (dial 508) 746-1559 as well as 216 Centre Street, Brockton, Massachusetts, 02302, dial (508) 583-1896. A combination of unique social welfare services and spiritual help is offered including emergency assistance for bills or rent. There is also counseling, institutional and family visitations, and much more.
When it comes to financial support, other resources include free soup kitchens; help with rent, electric bill payment assistance, and food pantries. The Plymouth centers also can provide free Christmas toys, gifts or back to school supplies. Some will also help people leaving transitional housing apply for federal government grants for a security deposit. Read more on Salvation army assistance programs Plymouth County.
Free food - For families struggling to buy groceries or that are facing hunger, free pantries or spup kitchens may be turned to. They offer everything from a box of groceries to resources such as SNAP food stamps. Or if this location can’t provide you with the food that you or your family needs, find more free food banks in Plymouth County.
Medical care in Plymouth County Massachusetts
Families and individuals who do not have health insurance, who are low income, or who need medical care can use a community clinic. There is help for residents that have limited insurance. Both adults as well as children may all qualify for free health or dental care.
Several clinics operate in the county and they provide individuals with variable rate billing and a sliding fee scale. This will in effect allow some patients the ability to either not need to pay any money towards their medical bills, or they can save substantial money. Or there are free or low cost prescription drugs, immunizations as well as vaccinations, physicals and more.
- Manet Community Health Center - This non-profit organization has several branches around Plymouth County, including in Quincy. They administer a sliding fee scale. Dial (617) 471-8683
- Brockton Neighborhood Health Care - This is a federal government qualified health center. Call 508-559-6699
If these centers can’t help you, find more free community clinics in Plymouth County and learn about the services they offer.
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