Helping Hands: A Social Security Disability Attorney Blog

The Jefferson County Committee for Economic Opportunity (JCCEO), in collaboration with partner agencies, functions as a provider of homelessness prevention assistance and assistance to rapidly re-house people who are or are at risk of becoming homeless. Assistance is provided through their Homelessness Prevention and Rapid Re-housing Program (HPRP) and includes rental assistance, credit repair, security deposit, utility payments (not phone or cable), moving and storage costs assistance and temporary housing. In addition to homelessness prevention and rapid re-housing assistance, the JCCEO HPRP seeks to achieve long-term housing stabilization for program clients after the subsidy ends through intensive case management.

To be eligible for HPRP assistance, you must:

• Be homeless or at risk of becoming homeless;


• Live in Jefferson County; and


• Meet the low-income requirement for your family size

For more information on the Homelessness Prevention and Rapid Re-housing Program, call 205-933-8293.

In addition to the HPRP program JCCEO offers a housing counseling program, energy assistance program, home weatherization and child development services. To learn more about these programs and services please call 205-327-7500.

As the summer heat increases, the Tennessee Department of Human Services '(DHS) is also increasing its efforts to ensure the safety of Tennessee residents. During summer months many residents are hesitant to turn on their air conditioners in an attempt to keep their energy bills low. In a recent General Assembly, legislatures have come to the rescue by expanding the eligibility of the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). The change has expanded the eligibility guidelines from 125% to 200% of the federal poverty line. With the recent change, a family of four can now earn up to $44,100 a year and be eligible for LIHEAP benefits. LIHEAP is a government program that is designed to assist low income households with their home energy bills. Assistance does not directly go to eligible clients or applicants; however payments are directly made to the local utility company on the client's behalf. Although eligibility is determined by income guidelines, assistance is additionally determined on a priority point system to households with members who are elderly, disabled and/or under the age of six.

For a list of local LIHEAP agencies and to receive more information, visit: http://state.tn.us/humanserv/adfam/liheap/liheap-agencies.pdf

Safe At Home is a program that is designed to improve the homes and lives of individuals within the community. The program provides emergency home repairs and home safety modifications for low income senior citizens and/or disabled homeowners. The program focuses on the areas of heating, plumbing, electrical, fall prevention, fire prevention, indoor air quality and energy efficiency. All repairs are performed free of charge, however, homeowners and family members are asked to welcome the volunteers with open arms and work alongside to the extent possible. All services are provided by volunteers and professional contactors who are dedicated to improving the lives of those within the community who are in need.

To qualify for the Safe at Home program, applicants must:
• Must meet income guidelines
• Be 60 years of age and/or disabled
• Be the owner & have occupied the house for three or more years
• Not be rental property, a double structure or mobile home
• Single family structure must be in sound condition

General Repairs include:
• Adding handrails to stairways
• Repairing and replacing dangerous steps
• Fixing dangerous electrical wiring or conditions
• Repairing plumbing fixtures
• Installing grab bars
• Interior and exterior painting

Applications for service are accepted year round. For more information on the Safe at Home Program call 614.258.6392.

Last year my grandparents found themselves in a sticky situation. Their power was running too high and no matter what they did their electricity bill would continue to rise. While trying to find every resource possible that would assist in lowering their electricity bill, I came across the Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) in Meridian, MS. As it turns out, we learned that this program assists the elderly, disabled, and low-income families, like my grandparents. WAP crews will come to your home and install the most cost-effective, energy efficient measures, and improve comfort and air quality. WAP is designed to lower home cooling and heating costs by saving energy, improving energy efficiency, and also ensuring safety and health.

For more information regarding the program or how to apply please call: 601.483.4838 or 1.800.898.0659.

Weatherization Assistance Program
Multi-County Community Service Agency
2900 St. Paul Street
P.O. Box 905
Meridian, MS 39302

Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is a National federal grant program to the states to help low income families meet the costs of heating and cooling their homes. This federal program can be accessed through your local programs like Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Food Stamps (now called Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program). Certain qualifications will apply.

Services through LIHEAP may include low-cost weatherization or other home energy-related repairs. To get complete details on the program or to locate an office near you, please call 1-866-674-6327. Please be prepared to give your city, county and state.