Assistance programs Sarasota County

Find a listing of charities or churches and government organizations, that help the low income in Sarasota County. The financial assistance available for electric bills, rent or transportation as well as free stuff including food, school supplies or clothes help low-income families and seniors.

There is help for a mortgage or housing payment, assistance with utility bills or prescription medications or even senior care. Get financial help near you in Sarasota County FL. Non-profits also address other financial emergencies. Children and the elderly are always a focus too. There may be free Meals on Wheels for seniors or disabled people or Christmas toys for kids.

Or the elderly can get free durable equipment equipment (for rehab or mobility) from medical loan closets or small dollar grants for their bills. Learn how and where to apply below.

Find help for rent, utility bills, and other financial assistance

Assistance programs Sarasota County.

Find help for rent, utility bills, and other financial assistance The:

Salvation Army Sarasota County as well as Venice or North Port - This non-profit from time to time will be able to provide limited financial assistance. They may have money they can will to people with kids, including single moms, to help them pay rent.

In addition, some funding may be available to help pay a mortgage, water or utility bills. Applicants must show the ability to make future payments, as this is not a charity program.

The Salvation Army has multiple branches in Sarasota Florida. The main center is in the city of sarasota and is at (941) 364-5557. The location is in Venice (phone 941-484-6227) as well as North Port Florida (phone (941) 240-5108) and this branch has some of the same rent and housing programs as mentioned above.

The Salvation Army centers also offer other support, such as free basic needs (food, clothing), holiday meals, gifts, back to school supply giveaways and housing. Continue with

Medical and free health care

Sarasota County Salvation Army programs Catholic Charities may also have limited funding for people who have an eviction notice, or who may be behind on a mortgage payment. The funds are meant to be a short term solution and once again is not a charity program.

The elderly, immigrants and seniors on social security or a low-income are the main clients. A number of other resources may be available for the low income, including transitional housing, free food, and medications. The Catholic Charity organization and their partners do what they can to help those in Sarasota who are struggling, regardless of their religion.

The address is 5055 N Tamiami Trail # 100, Sarasota, FL 34234. Phone: (941) 355-4680. More on Catholic Charity assistance programs Sarasota County Caritas

provides financial help up to once per year with utility bills. Qualified applicants can receive assistance with paying utility bills such as electric, cooling, water, and more. In some cases a free window AC unit is passed out the seniors. Location is 1680 Fruitville RdSarasota, FL 34236. Call 941-366-5620..

The

local community action agency is the: Sarasota County Health & Human Services

. This non-profit agency both runs some of its own programs, and can refer low income families to other services. For example, their Community Services Block Grant funding is subbed to The Salvation Army (above), Weatherization services are through the Step Up Suncoast (call (941) 827-2887). The non-profit also helps with long term stability.

Whether it is part time employment for retirees

Free food pantry, household stuff, and non-financial aid

or information on budgeting counseling or job training, help is offered. They also can help people get a free gas voucher or car fixed for work, or to access government benefits including SNAP or Medicaid.

The agency recommends that people dial 211 to learn about these and other programs. Department of Children and Families is the place to contact in order to to apply for government benefits. There are a few offices in the county for the low income, unemployed, and working poor. Some of the resources and public aid offered is below.

Medical bill assistance from Medicaid. Cash assistance programs for bills, medical, transition and more. Continue with: Florida TCA cash aid Rental vouchers and subsidies from section 8 vouchers. Medicare can help seniors acquire affordable medication and provide for health care needs.

Much more is offered in Sarasota County. Find more information on public aid in Sarasota County Trinity Presbyterian Church

is located in South Sarasota County. This Outreach Ministry can help those in need. Access resources including food, gas vouchers, or small amounts for utility bill payments twice weekly, and even free pet food. Assistance is also offered for the homeless. Location is 4365 State Rd 776, Trinity Presbyterian Church, Venice, FL 34293, telephone (941) 492-6384.

Or find more information on Trinity Church programs Jewish Family and Children's Service

of Sarasota runs a program known as Building Strong Families. This is aimed at preventing homelessness. Some of what may be offered includes counseling, free legal assistance, financial management, and short term rent/financial aid.

There is also food assistance, with a focus on the elderly or kids. Veterans are a focus too as part of Operation Military Assistance Program.

JFCS has other services as well. One is a free food pantry. Or senior and disabled caregivers can get help, including respite, transportation and information on where to turn to for assistance.

The address is 1750 17th St., B-C3, Sarasota, Florida 34237, call 941-366-2224. More on Jewish Family Service assistance programs in Sarasota County St. Jude's Catholic Church may have emergency assistance for paying utilities.

This can include water, natural gas, or electric bills. Rent help may be an option too, though it is limited. Location is 3930 17th St, Sarasota, FL 34235. Call 941-955-3934.

Foreclosure prevention, mortgage relief, and debt reduction in Sarasota

can help seniors apply for the Emergency Home Energy Assistance Program. It is financial aid for home-energy emergencies to qualified, low-income households in Sarasota County with at least one person 60 years of age or older. It can even provide other support such as free fans, repairs of heating/cooling equipment, blankets, and utility disconnection prevention.

Seniors will get the home care they need in Sarasota: County. There is the PACE program from Medicaid, free rides to a grocery store or doctor, home repairs and durable medical equipment such as hospital beds, CPAP and more.

Locate medical equipment loan closets

The Agency on Aging also helps seniors in other ways. There are tips on how to make retirement savings last, information on enrolling into Medicare, and even SSI grants or loan programs for financial needs.

The elderly, retirees in Sarasota and their caregivers will get help. The address is 2830 Winkler Ave, Fort Myers, FL 33916. Call 866-413-5337. Or read more on

assistance programs from SW Florida Agency on Aging Caregivers will get financial help , respire and help too. Or they can make money as they care for an older person or parent or senior in Sarasota County. The government and state will support them with government grant money, transportation, medicine and other needs.

Locate Caregiver Support programs

A triage/referral service is available from the United Way of Manasota.

They can help qualified residents learn about government benefits. This can include food stamps, section 8 housing vouchers, TANF, and health care resources such as Medicaid. Some of the benefits are run by the state of Florida and others by the federal government or non-profits. Telephone number is 941-308-4357.

Low income housing assistance

may be available for a short period of time. Some of the options include transitional housing or emergency homeless shelters. Other government programs, such as section 8, may be available but often have a waiting list.

Sarasota County families that use these transitional housing programs will also receive case management and support from social workers. Read Sarasota County transitional housing Englewood Helping Hand

is a social services agency that provides short-term financial assistance to Englewood residents in need of help. Financial resources are offered for people including residents of Placida, the Gulf Cove, Rotonda, and Grove City areas of Englewood. Some of the financial assistance offered includes help with prescription medications, free food, rent, electric and water, or referrals to non-profits.

There are details such as how to get a free car or ride to the doctor, employment opportunities and more. Helping Hand is also a Medicaid ACCESS site and food stamp application center. Englewood Helping Hand is a community supported organization. 700 E Dearborn Street, Englewood, Florida 34295-0791, phone (941) 474-5864 Free Christmas and Thanksgiving help - Sarasota County Florida families living in poverty or those facing a crisis can apply for free holiday assistance programs .

There are a few different options. During Christmas, there are free toys, gifts, clothing vouchers, and food boxes. Easter Baskets may contain food and side items. Free Thanksgiving meals and turkeys are provided by local charities. There are other resources too. Find: Sarasota County free holiday programs Free stuff or basic needs - Clothing as well as furniture banks will provide low income families free items such as school supplies, furniture, appliances, computers and general clothing.

Work or school clothes may be offered. A focus of many of these Sarasota County agencies is on supporting children and the elderly. There are are free furniture banks as well as vo