Basic Needs/Emergency Assistance

The Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EF&S) assist people with economic emergencies (not disaster related [i.e., fires of any kind, floods, tornadoes etc.] emergencies).  EF&S funds are used to supplement feeding (food voucher) and rent / mortgage and utility assistance only.

The agency’s board approved the following assistance:  food vouchers, mortgage/rental assistance, and utility assistance for eligible residents.

1.  Food Voucher

Food, food vouchers, must be marked “Food Only” or “Food & Diapers Only”.  There must be an agreement with the vendor that food or food and diapers only will be allowed and no cash will be returned to clients.

EFSP funding is intended to provide for basic, nutritional meals on an ongoing basis not for non – nutritive items.  The funding is not intended to be used for a singular event, special celebratory events, holiday baskets etc.  Also, dessert items (i.e., cookies, snack food, candy, etc.) used as part of a daily meal plan may be purchased in limited amounts.

Documentation required: dated receipts / invoices / completed vouchers for food purchased and proof of payment to vendor by an acceptable payment method.  Invoices and evidence of payment for the purchase of food gift certificates / gift cards are required.  Clients receiving SNAP/food stamp benefits are not eligible to apply for a food voucher.

2.  Mortgage  

For rent/mortgage assistance, eligible program costs include:

1.      Limited emergency rent or mortgage assistance principal and interest only (P&I), for individuals or households provided additional conditions are met:

a.       Payment is in arrears or due within 10 calendar days.

b.      Other resources have been exhausted;

c.       The client is 1). A resident of the home or apartment and 2). Responsible for the rent/mortgage on the home or apartment where the rent/mortgage assistance is to be paid;

d.      Payment is limited to a maximum of one month’s assistance for each individual or household; assistance can be provided 1). For a full month’s rent/mortgage (P&I) all at one time, or 2). In separate payments over a period of up to 90 consecutive days as long as the total amount paid does not exceed one month’s cost and is paid by a single Local Recipient Organization, LRO;

e.       Assistance is provided only once in a jurisdiction by a single LRO (in each award phase for each individual/ household (with exception of item d[2] above;

f.       The month paid is the current amount or part of the arrearage that is still owed at the time of payment and is from the current award phase and,

g.      Payment must guarantee an additional 30 days service.

Late fees, legal fees, deposits and condo fees are ineligible.

Documents required: dated and signed letters from landlord [must include amount of one month’s rent and due date] mortgage company’s letter and or copy of mortgage loan coupon showing monthly mortgage amount and date due and proof of payment to vendor by an acceptable payment method.  Payments must be made to the landlord ONLY, not to both client and landlord.  Documentation must support the payment made and is limited to a maximum of one month’s assistance.  A copy of the client’s lease is only accepted when paying the first month’s rent.

2.      First month’s rent may be paid when individual or household:

a.       Is transient and plans to stay in the area for an extended period of time; or

b.      Is moving from a temporary shelter to a more permanent living arrangement; or

c.       Is being evicted because 1 months’ payment will not forestall eviction in current housing.

First month’s rent:

a.       Cannot be provided in addition to emergency rent/mortgage assistance under item 1 above.

b.      May be provided in addition to assistance provided for off-site mass shelter.

c.       May only be provided by a single LRO in jurisdiction each award phase for an individual / household.

d.      Cannot be paid more than 30 calendar days before occupancy.

Documentation required: dated and signed letters from landlords and current lease [must include amount of first month’s rent and due date] and proof of payment to vendor by an acceptable payment method.)  (Documentation must support the payment made which is limited to a maximum of one month’s assistance.

3.  Utility Assistance

For utility assistance, eligible program costs include:

1.      Limited metered utility assistance (includes gas, electricity, water, and sewer service) for individuals or households.  The client must be 1) a resident of the home or apartment and 2) responsible for the utility on the home or apartment for which utility assistance is to be paid provided conditions “a” through “f” below are met:

a.       Payment is in arrears or due within 10 calendar days;

b.      All other resources have been exhausted (e.g., State Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program);

c.       Payment is limited to a maximum of one month’s billed usage cost for utility (e.g., gas, electric and water) for each individual or household;

d.      The month paid is the current amount, budget amount or part of the arrearage that is still owed at the time of payment and that is either from the current award phase or for continuous service prior to award phase that remains past due;

e.       Each utility is paid only once in each award phase for any individual or household; and

f.       Payment guarantees an additional 30 days service.

Call 562-2442 for more information.  

The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program targets people with the lowest incomes and the highest energy cost based on their income and family size.  The program also targets low-income households that include the elderly, persons with disabilities and young children.

To assure that all persons are afforded the opportunity to apply for the LIHEAP services and that the eligibility determination process is fair, and non-discriminatory we have a system in which clients call to have their name placed on an appointment list.  

Applicant must submit required documents such as  picture I.D. or driver’s license of the head of household, social security card of all household members, and verification of household income if no income, a financial contribution letter and/or zero income letter must be submitted to determine eligibility. Income eligibility for the LIHEAP program is based on the LIHEAP poverty guidelines. Income guidelines are adjusted annually.

Crisis LIHEAP

Applicants may be eligible to receive a Crisis LIHEAP benefit payment if the utility account has been disconnected or threatening disconnection. An applicant can only receive one crisis payment in a calendar year.  

Call 225-562-2442 for more information.

The Power to Care is an emergency assistance program that provides light bill assistance to low income elderly or disabled individuals. Entergy collects contributions, which are then transmitted to the Salvation Army, to provide this emergency utility assistance to these individuals. The Salvation Army exercises fiscal management and programmatic supervision of the Power to Care program.

Employee(s) are to prepare intake application; check application for completeness, ensure income meets guidelines; document emergency.  

Clients are required to complete an application, provide current personal identifiable information for all household members; proof of Income, if no income, financial contribution letter and zero income provide current ID; documentation of emergency and monthly expenses (unpaid or paid).  Paid bills must have receipt.

Call 225-562-2442 for more information.