AVAILABLE RESOURCESAgencies that can you help get back on your feet and on

your way to financial freedom

Food AssistanceSNAP, TANF, WIC and Food Pantries

SNAP (Supplement Nutrition Assistance Program)

Eligible clients must be at 100% of poverty line with net income

Amount of assistance provided is determined by household size◦(net monthly income x .3) - max allotment for

household size = SNAP allotment

Other requirements or restrictions: age, disability, employment◦See: fns.usda.gov/snap/eligibility

SNAP

People in Household Maximum Monthly Allotment

1 $   1942 $   3573 $   5114 $   6495 $   7716 $   9257 $ 1,0228 $ 1,169

Each additional person $    146

Florida Food Assistance Program & SUNCAP

Florida Food Assistance program sponsored by USDA

Food Assistance Program helps qualifying Florida Residents buy healthy foods:◦Breads and cereals◦Meat◦Fruit and vegetables◦Dairy◦Seeds and plants to grow a kitchen garden

Florida Food Assistance Program & SUNCAP

SUNCAP – food assistance for those who receive SSI (Supplemental Security Income)

May be automatically placed in SUNCAP if receiving SSI and already receiving benefits from Food Assistance Program

Florida Food Assistance Program & SUNCAP

Households must be between 200% and 100% Federal Poverty Level ◦Dependent on variety of factors outlined by

Florida DCF

Florida Food Assistance Program & SUNCAP

TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families)

Assistance to needy families so children can be cared for in their own homes

Reduce the dependency of needy parents by promoting job preparation, work and marriage

Prevent/reduce the incidence of out-of-wedlock pregnancies

Encourage formation and maintenance of two-parent families

TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families)

Website to apply: dcf.state.fl.us/ess/Phone number to apply: 1-866-762-2237

WIC (Women, Infants & Children)

Pregnant, nursing or new mothers (with children up to 5 years)

“Nutrition risk” – dietary or medical based conditions

Income requirement – between 100% and 185% of the poverty line OR eligible for other food assistance programs

Location requirement – must live in area where WIC is administered

Undocumented mothers and their children are eligible for WIC benefits

Food Pantries

Reliable ways to receive food from an agency on a weekly or monthly basis

No cost

Fresh produce, canned goods and bread◦Meat and dairy items are available at some food pantries

What do I need to bring with me?◦Policies vary per agency.◦Please check with each specific agency

Home AssistancePHA, Subsidized Housing, FTHB, EFAHP and more

Before we Get Started…

Where can I find affordable housing?

http://www.floridahousingsearch.org/A free site to find affordable housingCreated by a co-op comprised of non-

profit, private and government agenciesHas helpful tools related to moving and

rent

Index of Available Programs

EFAHP – Emergency Financial Assistance for Housing Program

Fair Housing Assistance Agencies

FTHB – First Time Home Buyer programs

PHA – Public Housing Assistance programs

EFAHP

Formerly the Emergency Financial Assistance for Housing Program

Has been replaced with the Homeless Prevention Grant

Provides emergency financial aid to families with children due to a crisis through various partner agencies

EFAHP

Partner agencies in SWFL:◦Charlotte County Homeless Coalition

Emergency housing, transitions, links clients to other agencies, and provides rent, utilities and security deposits assistance

◦Collier County Hunger and Homeless Coalition Links clients to various partner agencies, depending on

needs◦Lee County Department of Human Services

Provides emergency assistance, home repairs, fair housing, searches for low-income housing and more

Please see their website for additional information: http://dhs.leegov.com/Pages/default.aspx

Fair Housing Assistance

Assistance and protection for buyers or renters from discrimination

H.E.L.P◦Fair housing outreach, home buyer education, money

management workshops and more◦http://www.collierhousing.com/

Lee County Department of Human Services◦In addition to previously mentioned services, they

also provide aid in fair housing

FTHB

Is not only one program, but contains many resources

Additional ProgramsOther potentially valuable resources available to you

Automobiles

Ways to Work◦Community Development Financial Institution

◦44 offices throughout the country

◦Mission: help families move and stay off dependency welfare programs

Automobiles

◦Provides small loans to low-income individuals

◦Must live in service area

◦Must be employed for 6 months or in post high-school education

◦Must be able to re-pay loan

◦Must be a parent

◦Unable to get loan through bank or credit union

Automobiles

Four Wheels For Work◦Goodwill Industries program◦Currently only in Lee county

Utilities

Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)◦Government assistance program to help pay for

energy◦Qualifying individuals may apply up to 3 times

a year◦Must contact resident county to apply

Utilities

Poverty Income Guidelines Effective April 1, 2014

Number of People in Household Maximum Annual Household Income

1 $17,5052 $23,5953 $29,6854 $35,7755 $41,8656 $47,9557 $54,0458 $60,135

For each additional person over 8 people, add this amount $6,090

Cell Phones

Assurance Wireless by Virgin Mobile◦Part of the Federal Lifeline Assistance Program◦250 free minutes every month◦Unlimited text◦Only 1 wireless line per household◦Must provide proof of eligibility◦Will qualify for phone if already receiving

government assistance◦Apply online: assurancewireless.com

Cell Phones

SafeLink Wireless by TracFone Wireless◦1 per household◦250 free minutes every month◦Unlimited text messages◦Eligibility depends on participation with other

government assistance program ◦Meets federal poverty guidelines◦Apply online: safelinkwireless.com