Emergency Financial Assistance

We help keep people in their homes, with their utilities on.

Are you facing eviction or utility disconnection (electricity, gas, water or oil)? We may be able help.

Rent:

If you are facing eviction or have been padlocked out of your residence, we may be able to help you with a portion of your rent. To receive help, you must be late (after the 5th of the month) and have received notification from your landlord. Individuals seeking assistance with rent are typically given an appointment. Individuals with padlocking, writ of possession or other documents indicating immiment eviction are typically seen as a walk-in. Appointments are given on a first-come, first-served basis.

Our mortgage assistance is provided for people facing foreclosure through our Credit Counseling partners. If you need help paying your mortgage, please contact the Consumer Credit Counseling program at United Family Services.

Utilities: If your utilities are about to be, or have already been disconnected, we may be able to assist you with a portion of your utility payments.

How to apply for help

•Crisis Assistance Ministry operates as a Financial Emergency Room, screening individuals each morning for interviews based upon the severity of their emergencies. Our hours are Monday-Friday from 8 am to 5 pm. However, an arrival time of 7:45 am is recommended.

•Because people are seen according to the nature of their emergencies, it is difficult to know how long you can expect to wait. We recommend that you come to the agency when you receive court papers (for rent) or closer to your disconnect date (for utilities). Due to the high number of people seeking assistance, we generally are only able to meet with people who are going to have a utility turned off on that day or possibly the following day.

•Also due to the high number of people seeking assistance, the number of appointments each day are limited so we can process more walk-in emergencies. All appointments are scheduled on a first-come, first-served basis, Monday through Friday, until 3:45 pm, based upon availability.

What to bring

1. Social security documentation (card, document from the Social Security Administration, W2 form, pay stub) for all in household; non-citizens do not need a social security card to be served

2. Picture ID for all adults in household

3. Proof of any and all household income for the past 30 days

4. All disconnection, past due or late notices

5. Unemployment information if applicable

How you qualify for assistance

•We place no limit on the number of visits for emergency financial assistance; however, there are limits to the amount of aid per family per year.

•A person may be turned away from the agency for lack of proper documentation. If this happens to you, we will explain the reason so that you will know the best way to get help.

•If you do not live in Mecklenburg County, please contact the Department of Social Services or your local United Way.

How our community can support this program.