The Harford Community Action Agency of Maryland offers help with basic needs and emergency assistance to low income families. If you are a resident, you may be able to get help with your heating bill, free food, or rent so that you do not become homeless. The non-profit also has relationships with many other organizations and government agencies that assist those in need. The organization will also try to fix the reason for the hardship, so the agency will set up job placement, educational services, and other activities.
Help from from HCAA for paying rent or utilities
A one-time grant is available for utility or heating bills as part of the Maryland Energy Assistance Program (MEAP). The aid is for qualified low-income households from Hartford County, and the funds can help them with paying their winter heating bills, including gas and oil.
The Harford Community Action Agency also offers an Electric Universal Service Program. This can help reduce your current electric bills, as well as any past expenses you may have had on your account. This form of arrearage assistance can only be used once every 7 years by families that meet the qualifications.
The EUSP and MEAP programs both use the same application, which can be found at the Harford Community Action Agency (HCAA). If you received assistance from the program in the past, you will automatically be sent a new application form. If you haven’t previously applied for or been mailed an MEAP, contact the center for more information.
There is help available for people who are facing eviction or homelessness. If there is enough money, those who meet the requirements may get paid hundreds of dollars. Some people may need help paying their rent, which can be provided in the form of assistance or a loan. The money could be used for a mortgage payment if you own a home. The community action agency can give money or loans to pay for security deposits for people who don’t have a home or who are living in a shelter.
This program can only be used once per year. A number of conditions need to be met in order to qualify for food stamps, including providing proof of hardship, income, etc. In order to receive rent assistance, applicants must have a court-ordered eviction notice from their landlord.
The Harford County Maryland Fuel Fund provides financial assistance to low-income households and individuals for home heating costs every year. This service helps people who have received notice that their utilities will be shut off. You may be able to get help from the government to pay for your heating oil or to keep your utilities turned on. The program will also help residents who have run out of fuel for their propane, heating oil, kerosene, or wood heaters.
qualified households who are in need of assistance with fuel costs may access the Fuel Fund from Harford Community Action Agency / HCAA once per year. It helps people who owe money to their gas, utility, or fuel company. You need to make an appointment and have a copy of your current cut off notice when you go.
Food, job training and other Hartford County services
The Hartford County Community Action Food Pantry also provides support. Those who are needy, elderly, or disabled can receive emergency or supplemental food. Clients who are approved to use the pantry may come once a month and receive a variety of food that will last their household a few days.
The HCAA Food Pantry is an organization that gets food from the Maryland Food Bank and gives it to people who need it. The community action agency partners with faith-based and community organizations to help meet the needs of the community. Other food pantries, soup kitchens, homeless shelters, after school programs, and residential recovery programs in Harford County Maryland are considered partners.
Summer Meals for Kids can help improve the health and academic performance of children and students. This federal program provides nutritious lunches and breakfasts in the summer to students who receive government subsidies for meals during the regular school year. In partnership with HCAA, Harford County Public Schools operates this USDA Summer Feeding Program.
The free Adult Education program helps those who are unemployed or lack certain skills to learn the skills they need to become self-sufficient and employed. GED Plus is a resource that provides adult instruction for individuals that are in need of a high school diploma. This is a class that meets for multiple weeks and offers instruction in the classroom, financial literacy, and more. Students are given books, fees, supplies, and other items.
The Get That Job! workshop provides an opportunity for underemployed and unemployed individuals to assess their strengths. They can help teachers identify areas where they need improvement and help them find a job. The Harford Community Action Agency can help clients with finding a job, exploring different careers, assessing their employment skills, completing a resume, and researching local employers.
These workshops are designed to teach people about money management and financial planning. The purpose of these programs is to teach families how to improve their credit, pay off debts, and manage their money wisely. Some other topics that are covered in this book include information on how to repair your credit, how to reduce credit card debt, and how to file your income taxes.
Clients will also be able to speak to specialists one-on-one for coaching. This can help people and families who are trying to make changes that will lead to being able to support themselves in the long term. They will be in a good position to save money, budget, and pay their bills.
The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program provides free tax preparation services to low and moderate income families in Hartford County. The tax counseling advice in Maryland is used to help clients figure out if they are eligible for the Earned Income Tax Credit. This credit can help increase the amount of money that is refunded to the client. The agency will also offer free e-filing with direct deposit.
The Harford Community Action Agency is a non-profit located at 1321-B Woodbridge Station Way, Edgewood, MD 21040. Please call (410) 612-9909 for assistance.