Volusia County Department of Community Services assistance programs.
The Volusia County Florida Department of Community Services can be turned to when facing an emergency. They are part of the nationwide community action agency network. The centers administer numerous assistance programs and self-sufficiency resources for the poor and low income.
One of the goals is to ensure an adequate supply of low income, safe, and affordable housing. The Housing and Grants Administration is the main department that focuses on that.
While assistance is limited, they work to provide support to income qualified and other program eligible households of Volusia County. Both federal government and state of Florida grants are used to provide the rent and housing assistance to the poor and low income.
Some of the specific resources from the administration are Homebuyer Assistance, Housing Rehabilitation Loans, Homeless Prevention, Home Purchase Program, and many others. When funding allows, Volusia County community services provides clients with a mortgage.
Rental assistance and subsidies are part of the Housing Choice Voucher Program, formally known as Section 8. Volusia County Department of Community Services also serves as the regions Public Housing Agency, or PHA.
So in this capacity, the Community Assistance Division administers hundreds of rental subsidies and vouchers in the region. The program is targeted at the very low-income and residents including the elderly or disabled. Funds can help them pay the rent on decent, safe, and sanitary housing in the local private market.
Security deposits are not usually part of this, but exceptions may be made. In addition, participants in his HUD supported program are generally able to find their own suitable housing to move into, and this may be condo, townhomes or even apartment.
Temporary, emergency financial assistance and human services are part of the resources from the department. More details are as follows.
If found to be qualified, some of the Human Services programs in Volusia County include funds for Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), funeral costs, summer food, and rental assistance. Other emergency services or low interest loans may be provided by the Department of Community Services.
Short term financial support may be provided, as noted. This will be for income qualified Volusia County residents. Any cash payments are made directly to vendors, utility companies or landlords. The aid is for clients who find themselves unable to take care of their basic needs as a result of a sudden total loss of disposable income. Assistance may help pay for rent, utility bills, prescription medications, emergency dental extractions, medical supplies, mortgage payments and transportation needs.
Clients can enroll into the Family Self-Sufficiency Program, or FSS. This will provide eligible individuals and their families with educational and job training opportunities. The goal of this is to empower them to become economically self-sufficient over the mid to long term. Applicants must be interviewed by a case worker from the county community action agency to determine eligibility for services or financial aid.
Help in obtaining economic independence and self-sufficiency is also part of FSS. Clients of the program can expect to receive a limited amount of financial and supportive services that will assist them in overcoming challenges to finding and keeping gainful employment. Clients of the program will be referred to community partners in Volusia County to receive the appropriate educational opportunities and training.
Indigent cremation and burial is available from the Volusia County Department of Community Services. The government will offer some financial support in order to pay for a portion of these and other funeral costs.
Medical assistance is part of the Florida Health Care Responsibility Act, and it can help unisured families with a low income. This means that Volusia County can pay for any out-of-county emergency hospital care. Any financial aid is limited and will only be a portion of bills. Note that an individual who has existing health insurance plan will not qualify for HCRA. Find other uninsured medical care programs.
Credits or grants on utility accounts may be part of the LIHEAP, Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program. This federal program provides funds to help working poor and low-income households meet home heating bills and even partial home cooling needs.
Free food for children and students is part of the Summer Food Service Program. It distributes nutritionally balanced meals and free snacks to needy children 18 and younger during the summer months. It is meant to fill the gap in the county when school breakfasts and lunches are not available to them.
Volusia County Department of Community Services has a few offices in the region. They are noted below.
- West Volusia, 386-736-5955
- Daytona Beach, 386-254-4648
- New Smyrna Beach, 386-423-3375
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