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Assistance programs from South Carolina Community Action Agencies
Low income individuals and families in South Carolina can receive a number of services from their local community action agency. There are applications to government grants that help with bills, free home repair services, job placement programs, food and more. Get help from a
Financial grants from community action for emergency or basic needs
Assistance programs from South Carolina Community Action Agencies.
community action agency near you in SC.
Programs can assist residents with meeting their immediate needs while case managers help them work towards long term stabilization, improved employment opportunities and self-sufficiency.
In order to receive support from one of these agencies, households will need to meet income guidelines and other requirements. Each center will also have their own services available, whether financial help, free stuff, applications or something else.
Some of the more community action common assistance programs available in South Carolina include the following.
South Carolina community action housing services
Financial grants from community action for emergency or basic needs: General Emergency Assistance can help is a crisis. Every day many people are faced with an unexpected bill, job loss or situation that comes up. It may impact their ability to pay for their housing, medical needs, or energy bills. So a local agency may be able to provide, or refer people to, emergency financial assistance, free grants or they can help address other family needs.
Any funds or grants are very limited. The type of aid provided will usually require the client to enroll in case management and other supportive services to help people move to self-sufficiency.
The: Housing Services Project
can help eligible applicants to find, pay for, and maintain affordable housing. Assistance may be available for prevention of eviction, or work with a case manager in establishing permanent housing. Additional rental or utility assistance can be provided to prevent termination of utilities and/or to connect power.
Or look here for help to pay back rent in SC
SC community action agencies provide emergency energy bill assistance through the federal government Low-income Home Energy Assistance Program. It is intended to prevent households from losing cooling service (during the summer) or heat during the winter. It helps residents deal with the rising costs of home energy expenses.
During the summer grants and financial assistance is provided in order to prevent termination of electricity, and is mostly for South Carolina residents with a documented medical condition.
Specifically, some of what is offered from LIHEAP includes direct assistance, which is non-emergency assistance to households to defray the cost of heating or cooling bills. The crisis intervention program is offered when someone is faced a shut off of their power.
Some agencies in South Carolina may also distribute air conditioners or heaters, or pay for the repair or replacement of a furnace or HVAC unit. Centers may offer: Outreach Services , which is a form of emergency assistance or cash grants.
Usually, financial assistance is limited to preventing termination of water and/or electric services. Limited amounts of help may also be available for paying for prescription medication and food.
There are also other grants that assist with bills that any low income, South Carolina family can apply for.
Job services from community action in South Carolina
Weatherization in South Carolina is an energy conservation programs
that can be applied for at your local community action agency. It provides for insulation, infiltration and minor repairs of homes. It will pay for energy efficiency and conservation measures for qualifying homeowners. Up to $6500 worth of improvements can be made, and the program has been shown to be effective.
Many families in South Carolina who have benefit from weatherization have saved a few hundred dollars per year on their bills. Senior Farmers’ Market Program is an opportunity for low-income seniors to access health food and to otherwise improve their nutrition. It allows them to increase their consumption of fresh vegetables and fruit.
Nutritional information is part of the program, and when combined with the fresh produce it has helped many senior citizens in South Carolina get the nutrition they need.
Community action helps people find a farmer market near them, including that accepts SNAP or EBT cards. The Senior Farmers’ Market Program is an important resource for improving the nutrition of participating low-income seniors, and it also benefits local farmer markets. Or learn about accepting EBT at farmers markets
Child programs, including food and education from community action in South Carolina
South Carolina community action housing services: Housing, including mortgages for Veterans, can be provided by a VA Loan . The federal program was created to provide affordable home financing for active duty service members, their spouses and also veteran personnel.
The single greatest benefit of the mortgage assistance program is that people can purchase a house with no money down and/or very little out-of-pocket costs. Clients can receive a competitive, lower interest rate loan without any money down and can also potentially avoid paying private mortgage insurance.
The: Housing Preservation Grant (HPG) Program
is offered for the very low-income population and/or senior citizens living in substandard housing. Many community action agencies administer the Housing Preservation Grant Program on behalf of the USDA-Rural Development Administration. It is a program that pays for home repairs/improvements.
A focus is on addressing the health, safety and well-being of the occupant and elderly. Emergency Shelter Grants Program
from community action agencies in SC
Counseling and community services
provides temporary housing and shelter for homeless women, children and families. In some cases, a South Carolina community action agency may issue loans from ESG, if the applicant’s situation calls for it. If someone uses a shelter, they will be encouraged, or maybe required to, seek employment, higher education and other more permanent housing services.
Find additional sources of loans for emergencies South Carolina Housing Trust Fund Housing Rehabilitation Program
is a state funded program designed to provide ensure people have safe, decent, sanitary and affordable housing. It can provide financial assistance for low income households. Community action agencies may offer the housing fund as it accelerates the state's response to the creation of affordable housing through innovative financing.
For example, it may offer a service known as Emergency Repair, which will provide required repairs to owner-occupied homes. Updates and improvements need to eliminate clear and present danger to the occupants and to make the home safer.
Job services from community action in South Carolina: Proving residents and the currently unemployed with a wide range of: Employment Services
South Carolina locations of community action centers
are an important function of community action agencies. Specialists and case workers can help in job search and assist with developing skills. Some of the services offered may include the following. Job Search – Access a computer, local job boards, and fairs. This is offered for both the unemployed and people looking for a better job.
Preparation – This includes resume creation assistance and interview workshops. Job Corps is a comprehensive training program and offers educational services for disadvantaged youths ages 16-24.
It can offer teenagers and students the opportunity to enroll in GED and basic education, and this is done while they receive vocational training in many areas. It gives clients the skills to be self-sufficient and self-reliant, and may eventually lead to a job with an employer in your local South Carolina town or county.
This may also be combined with school-to-work, which is a resource that can assist young people (under the age of 25) in moving from a school setting into the world of work. SC Works Centers
are located across the state. Your local community agency can direct you to this service. They offer Adult Programs and Workforce Development for adults and the unemployed. Some of what is provided can include Unemployment Insurance Service, Career Resources, Resume Services, and job Training Opportunities.
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SC Works job training Migrant and Seasonal Workers can get assistance from resources such as the: Rural Manpower Services Program . This can provide referrals to community-based service organizations and employment opportunities. It will help seasonal workers deal with socioeconomic problems and hardships.
Some examples of what can be offered include assistance for youth seeking summer employment in packing and field crop work. Many programs operate in partnership with the South Carolina Regional Employment Standards Administration (Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division).
Additional Youth Programs/Out-of-School
is for students who range in age from 16-21. It will help this age group acquire employment so they can become self-sufficient. Sign up for job readiness skills, individualized or group counseling, or occupational skills training. Career planning assistance and interviewing skills may also be offered for youth.
Experience Works
is another non-profit organization in South Carolina, and they can partner with community action agencies. The organization is committed to improving the economic, financial and social condition of older South Carolina residents in rural communities. It coordinates essential services and promotes employment and training of persons 55 and older, and many resources are offered in partnership with the US Department of Labor.
Some of the job programs provide short term financial assistance for employment related expen
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