The Wayne County Helpline can provide resources to help people who are trying to leave poverty. This non-profit organization only provides referrals and is the best place to go for information on federal and state benefit programs, such as LIHEAP or weatherization. They also provide resources to the needy that focus on employment and education.
The Helpline provides support to residents of Fayette, Wayne, and Union counties. The agency may not be able to help everyone, but they can provide referrals to other local charities or faith based organizations.
The Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program is available to people who live in the service area. It provides support to people who are elderly, have very low incomes, or are disabled. It can provide some financial assistance for their rent. There are also services to help clients find safe, decent and sanitary housing. The goal is to have participants make their own choices, rather than have an organization like a public housing authority make decisions for them.
There are some restrictions on the types of dwellings or apartments that can be selected. The housing must meet the standards set by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority. The landlord may need to do inspections and the amount of rent they charge the tenant should be fair. The Helpline of Wayne County will be able to answer some questions, but it is most effective to use the referral service.
If a family from Wayne or a nearby county is approved for a voucher, the federal government will pay for a housing or rent subsidy on behalf of the tenant. The family will still need to pay the difference between the government subsidy and the actual amount of rent charged by the landlord.
The Section 8 housing program in Wayne and Union County is funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). There are also several state agencies or local county municipalities that act as program administrators for low income housing in areas of the state of Indiana where there is no Public Housing Authority.
There are also organizations that process applications and interact with program participants. The Helpline service area includes all of Union County and the part of Wayne County that is located just outside the Richmond City limits.
Many people in Indiana struggle to pay for heating their homes during winter because it is expensive. This is especially hard for low-income residents. The Helpline of Wayne County can help connect you with an Energy Assistance Program. This will help families, the elderly, and people who make less money than what is allowed by the program to pay for some of their utility bills. There may be financial assistance available for those who use natural gas, propane, heating oil, kerosene, and/or regular electricity.
EAP programs believe that each family in the area should share in the cost of energy expenses. Essentially, each person should pay what they can afford throughout the year, and EAP will only cover a portion of the costs.
If you pay for heating as part of your rent, you may be eligible for grants from Helpline of Wayne County partners. The federal government benefits are determined by many factors, such as income, number of people in the home, age, and more. The energy assistance program also considers the type of dwelling and type of heating fuel used in addition to everything else.
You do not need to have a past due heating bill or disconnect notice to be eligible for a grant from EAP. This type of financial assistance cannot be used for paying deposits or reconnection fees. If you’re in a tough spot financially, you can go to your local community action office for help. There are also sites in Fayette, Wayne, and Union County.
EAP programs will run from the beginning of November to the end of May, with varying levels of funding. The amount of money that partners of the Helpline can give is limited, so the program may end before the end of May.
The Summer Cool Program from the state of Indiana provides assistance during the hot summer months, from June 1 through September 30. Families may receive a reduction in their electric bill, or a free air conditioner, or both. Weatherization is the process of making a home more energy efficient by adding insulation, sealing gaps and cracks, and improving ventilation. This is another federal program that helps low-income families in Wayne and other counties by providing housing assistance. This funding is for people who would not have the resources to get these types of changes otherwise. The money for this comes from the Senate and House Energy and Water Appropriations committees of the federal government. The money from non-profits associated with the Helpline is used to provide the most advanced technologies and testing protocols available in the housing industry. Head Start is funded through the Department of Health and Human Services. This program is designed for children under the age of 6 who want to attend preschool. This program is offered for free to families who fall below the poverty line, in order to give their children a head start in development and prepare them for school. This is done by Wayne County agencies Helpline and teachers working with local education partners. The curriculum will be based on the student’s level of development. It will be tailored to the student’s needs and abilities. It can provide medical and developmental screenings and assistance with having healthier meals and snacks. The program provides free, individualized child development and family services. You can do this either at a center or from home. The various services offered allow children to develop physically, socially, emotionally, linguistically, and intellectually. The Helpline can provide information about state of Indiana benefits. There are many resources available that are based on grants, but they are only temporary and not meant to be long term. There are many programs that can help pay for basic needs, such as TANF or SSI disability. These programs are funded by a combination of state and federal funds. There are many resources available in Wayne County that can provide help with things like food, housing, and transportation. Referrals to these resources can be given by agencies such as the Department of Health and Human Services. This can be for families who don’t have a lot of money. Some of these programs are specifically for parents of Head Start qualified children. The non-profit can provide Job Skills Training for those who have earned a GED or High School diploma. There may be vouchers available for medication and prescription assistance for people with life-threatening conditions. If you are looking for government benefits in Wayne County, you can go to the Helpline in Richmond, IN 47375. For more information, call (317) 926-4357.