The Blount County Community Action Agency provides assistance to low-income, working poor, and unemployed families using resources from the Service Block Grant Program or CSBG and other agencies. They provide assistance through several programs for those who qualify.
The goal of financial aid is to provide short-term assistance to eligible individuals and families so they can become self-sufficient. The case managers from the community action organization want the people that they help to become independent and not need assistance from the organization in the future.
Emergency financial assistance can help people pay for things like food, housing, and other basic needs. It can come in the form of a one-time payment or a loan. This means that you can use this money to pay for things like your rent or your utilities. The agency also provides information on government resources such as the Tennessee Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP).
The Blount County Community Action Agency also helps to feed the hungry and offers nutrition. The organization has places where they keep extra food and supplies from the USDA, as well as groceries, which they give out to people who need them.
If the BCCAA cannot help you with your inquiry, staff will try to provide you with information about other agencies that might be able to help you. They will help connect you to government benefits, public assistance and other local community programs. This can include things such as working with local dentists and the Trinity Health Clinic to provide health care. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) provides eligible low-income households with food assistance benefits.
The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program provides annual grants to low-income households to help pay for utility and heating bills. This component provides services to households that are in danger of losing their power, which could lead to life-threatening conditions.
The Aid program is for residents of Blount County, Tennessee who are living at or below 150% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. For all money paid out, it is first come and served. The funding from LIHEAP is limited. The Blount County Community Action Agency will work with the Tennessee Housing Development Agency to help seniors, the disabled, and families with children.
Other options for emergency assistance programs are available in a crisis. This is one time, crisis help with paying utility bills. This means that if you are struggling to pay your utility bills, you can get help from the government. The aid comes from places that BCCAA partners with. There are programs that help with funding, such as Share the Warmth, which is through the local utility company, as well as the federal Emergency Food and Shelter Program.
Employment assistance is for people who are unemployed or underemployed in Blount County, Tennessee. They can get job training. The agency will also help with transportation by offering gas cards to help them seek out employment, attend work or job interviews.
The Office on Aging is an important partner. This service provides programs to seniors in Blount County, Tennessee that are funded by the Older Americans Act. Seniors can get help with things like transportation, getting around, and finding resources that are available to them.
The Weatherization program will improve the energy efficiency of homes or residences of eligible low-income households for free. The program will help them save money on their heating and cooling costs. It is a proven fact that taking measures to reduce weather-related damage over time will lead to lower utility bills each year, resulting in significant savings. The Blount County Community Action Agency administers the program using grants from the federal government and the Tennessee Housing Development Agency.
Different food programs exist, such as Meals on Wheels and the Commodity Food Distribution. This sentence is asking for more information about the subject. The person wants to know more about what is below.
Meals on Wheels is a program that offers low cost food to people in need. The agency provides a midday meal to residents over the age of 60. The aid is for those that are unable to leave their homes and prepare meals for themselves. The Blount County Community Action Agency and their Senior Nutrition department are responsible for Meals on Wheels. If someone you know needs help, please let the agency know.
Meals are served at different locations throughout the county. You can find the Louisville Community Center, Broadway Towers, and the First United Methodist Church in Maryville, as well as Friendsville and the First United Methodist Church. To get more information or to find out locations and hours, call (865) 983-8411.
The Commodity Food Distribution program is for households with very low incomes or that are considered to be living in poverty. Individuals can receive assistance a maximum of four times annually. Blount County Community Action Agency (BCAA) typically provides a household with 40-45 pounds of free food. The children were given boxes of food that may have included powdered milk, rice, beans, peanut butter, soup, nuts, spaghetti, canned fruits and vegetables, dried fruit, and more.
There is financial assistance available in the form of loans or grants for home repair. They are supposed to make houses meet the International Building Code. It allows people to stay in their homes and remain independent, including seniors and the disabled.
To reach the Blount County Community Action Agency, call (865) 983-8411. The office is located at 3509 Tuckaleechee Pike.