Community action agency Virginia assistance programs

Assistance programs from Virginia community action agencies

Community Action Agencies in VA provide assistance to low income families and the working poor. Programs will help individuals gain self-sufficiency and assist with paying an emergency bill or help a family meet their need for food. The

Counseling and general advice services

Assistance programs from Virginia community action agencies.

non-profit community action agencies in Virginia near you listed below will help the unemployed find a job, provide food for seniors, and assist people with applying for emergency or government grant money to help pay bills or housing costs.

Dozens of resources are available across the state of Virginia. Veterans can get help as well as the unemployed or gig workers in Virginia. Community Action Agencies offer free home repairs, including for weatherization or grant money. Or get Work Experience programs, matched savings accounts, emergency electric bill help and other financial assistance.

Counseling and general advice services

Virginia community action grants and emergency assistance programs

can be arranged for low income residents, with a focus on older individuals 60 years of age that have economic or social needs. Services are only offered for civil matters. Some counseling or other appropriate legal advice may be offered by a law student or paralegal under the direct supervision of a full time attorney.

Virginia Legal Aid programs can provide outreach, representation, and education on a number of matters, including consumer credit, health care, denial of government benefits, and more.

Veterans Independence Program

is a resource for seniors in the region. Many community action agencies work with area aging offices. Together they offer many excellent programs and services to veterans who are older.

It is everyone’s goal to work with other health care providers and the low income in order to bring people the best possible care. Headstart has been offered in Virginia since the mid 1960s. It is the state’s most successful school readiness program for children under the age of 5.

The Headstart program addresses the educational, nutritional and social needs of children 1 to 5 years old as well as their parents. Staff will take a comprehensive look at family and child development. Staff from the agency will offer guidance to parents interested in obtaining their General Equivalency Diploma (GED).

They will also facilitate classes in child care, mental health, nutrition and physical care. Head Start will also assure that immunization, basic checkups and other medical needs are met. Virginia CARES is a statewide program.

The goal of this community-based effort is to assist newly released parolees and prison inmates in making a successful transition from prison back into society. It focuses on assisting ex-offenders in their transition. It should help prevent further criminal activity.

Virginia community action grants and emergency assistance programs: Cars To Work is offered in some Virginia communities. People who need transportation for work, and who meet other qualifications, may be able to receive a reduced priced used car. Or clients may be provided a low interest rate loan to use to purchase an automobile.

Many of the beneficiaries are welfare-to-work clients, and people can also be referred by the Virginia Department of Social Services. Donations of vehicles are always appreciated, so if you can please donate a used car for a tax write off. There are also other government and non-profit programs for

Virginia employment and job programs

. Community Action Agencies in Virginia can often provide information or referrals to them. They will almost always require work or some form of job training, and find

government free car programs Emergency services and financial aid

is limited. Many locations do not offer this, or they will only be able to offer help if funding happens to be available. Low income citizens can look into rent and mortgage assistance, emergency food and clothing, utility bills transportation, medical assistance, and other basic needs.

Usually any type of cash or grants paid out will be to help prevent homelessness, suffering, or hunger in the community. Some transportation assistance may include vehicle repairs, basic car maintenance education and/or referrals for other services.

Beneficiaries tend to be TANF (Temporary Assistance) families or people who need a car or transportation for work or an interview. It will only be for work related reasons. So anyone who

Community Action Partnership resources for seniors in Virginia

needs a free car may be able to get help.

is provided from the Housing Choice Voucher Program. Many local town and county Housing Departments work with community action agencies to serve low income families. Receive assistance in obtaining affordable, safe, clean, and decent housing.

Someone that enrolls will still need to pay a portion of their rent, but Virginia and the federal government will subsidize the amount you owe. Also, annual housing quality inspections are conducted by the state to ensure that all apartments and homes are maintained in a safe manner. Apply for the:

Weatherization Assistance Program

Financial, budget, and credit counseling services from VA community action

at a community action agency. This is the states and nation’s leading energy conservation program. The government has been paying for the insulating, caulking, weatherstripping, air-leak sealing and repairing/replacing inefficient heating or cooling systems of single-family and mobile homes.

These numerous energy-efficiency and saving measures are performed for low income and working poor families who can't afford to make the retrofits themselves. In addition to the work being done, participants in the weatherization program will be instructed in energy conservation, provided free tips and advice on additional weatherproofing once work is completed.

Another housing assistance resource is the: Homeless Intervention Program (HIP)

. This is Virginia's initiative for providing temporary rental and mortgage assistance to low-income households facing eviction or foreclosure. HIP seeks to eliminate homelessness in Virginia due to foreclosure or eviction, and aid is only offered for those who are faced with unavoidable circumstances, such as an unexpected medical bill or job loss that is not of their doing.

If you are evicted or lose your home, the Homeless Intervention Program also assists individuals and families in securing permanent housing. You will work with your local community action agency on this. Anyone who receives help from HIP also receives free financial counseling.

Financial assistance for paying for your utility (including heating and cooling bills) is offered by LIHEAP and EnergyShare . They are both year-round energy-assistance programs for low-income households.

Priority is for those homeowners that pay a higher proportion of their income for home energy, or people who have a young child or senior living with them.

Location of Virginia community action agencies

Both offer cash grants for cooling, heating, utility bill and fuel assistance. EnergyShare is funded with contributions from Dominion Power and donations from your Virginia “neighbors.” On the other hand, LIHEAP is paid for by the federal government. Heating assistance starts in mid-October and is offered until mid-June.

Cooling bill assistance, when it is offered, begins in June and runs until mid-October. The applications need to be processed earlier, and learn more on the programs to pay cooling bills Crisis Intervention and Emergency Assistance Program

provides financial assistance and cash grants to individuals and families faced with imminent eviction or loss of a utility service. The emergency program offers at most one-time per year voucher payments to your landlord or providers of essential utility and fuel services.

For example, you can pay your Virginia electricity, water, gas, wood and heating oil bills. This is offered in close collaboration with other area agencies and non-profit organizations. While more limited, as funding allows the program also offers emergency mortgage or rental assistance.

If you are homeless, then receive relocation support as needed and get help finding a new home. Discount prescription medications may be offered. Many agencies can provide discount cards from groups such as NACO. Another service offered in some regions is “Meds Project.” The program, and others, can provide vouchers for clients allowing them to buy life threatening needed prescription medication and supplies.

Many on-profit agencies work with local pharmacies in Virginia. Medications can be used help prevent, manage or stabilize such ailments as diabetes, hypertension, heart condition, cancer management, high blood pressure and many other diseases and illnesses.

Locate a list of prescription drug discount cards Other emergency services

include case management and distribution of items from clothing closets, food pantry and a household supply storage facility. Many community action agencies work closely with local food banks and grocery stores. They can provide individuals and families of all religions and backgrounds with basic food items, such as boxed and free canned food, fresh fruits and vegetables and meats.

Some pantries also offer basic household staples and supplies such as soap, toilet paper, paper towels, basic toiletries and cleaning supplies.

Virginia community action agencies also give other free stuff, including appliances or household goods . A number of area churches, organizations and individuals provide in-kind donations to clothing closets or furnitre centers. Charities or non-profits provide or sell at a low cost to the general public household furniture, small appliance, items like washing machines, linen, and other goods.

Find places for free appliances Home repair assist