Imagine waking up one morning to a letter demanding you pay back thousands—or even hundreds of thousands—of dollars to the Social Security Administration. No explanations. No warnings.
It’s happening right now to people just like you, and it’s turning lives upside down.
In today’s low income news update, we’re going to talk about this and all the other low income news you need to know. Today’s update includes important news about Social Security, FEMA, help for Navajo Nation members, guaranteed income programs and so much more.
Nationwide Low Income News
There are some really important things happening nationwide that low income Americans need to know about. Browse the subheadings below for more information!
Social Security Overpaid $21 Billion, Demands Money Back
Meet Lori from Florida. She’s been getting around $900 a month from Social Security for over 15 years. Out of the blue, she got a letter telling her to pay back a mind-blowing $121,000 in just 30 days. What did she do? She sold her house and her car in a panic. She emptied her bank accounts so they couldn’t snatch her money.
WFTV found out that this isn’t some small glitch. Loads of Social Security recipients are getting these letters demanding big repayments. Guess what? Sometimes it’s not even your mistake. Yep, you heard it right. Even if the Social Security Administration messed up, you still have to pay.
Lori did everything right. She told Social Security about her Workers Compensation payments. Did that help? Nope. There was a problem in the system, so that income didn’t show up. She received more than she should have, so they told her to pay up. And she’s not alone; this is happening to a lot of people right now.
Another Lori, this time from Pennsylvania, got slapped with a $27,000 repayment letter. She’s appealing, but if she loses it will take her nearly 25 years to pay it back. She didn’t know that anything was wrong. Her mother gave her a life insurance policy worth $4,000, unknowingly putting Lori over the asset limit for SSI.
The Office of the Inspector General says there’s about $21 billion in overpayments that haven’t been paid back. We don’t even know how many people are affected but many local news outlets are claiming this is a widespread problem. Reports claim that hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of low income Americans have been impacted by these overpayment letters.
And let’s be real—when you can’t even get someone on the phone at the Social Security Administration, how are you supposed to solve this mess?
Angela Digeronimo, a former SSA claims specialist, says they’re understaffed and overwhelmed. She told a local news outlet that these overpayment errors often aren’t caught for a long time because there aren’t enough people to look over cases and send letters on time. As a result, the the balance due balloons out of control before people even find out they owe anything.
If you receive a letter demanding that you repay Social Security for an overpayment, you have a few options. You can set up a payment arrangement, appeal the decision, or request a waiver. You can use Form SSA-632, Request for Waiver of Overpayment Recovery, if you can’t afford the repayments.
If you need help navigating these forms and figuring out what to do, I highly recommend that you check with your local legal aid organization or Area Agency on Aging for assistance.
Proposed SSI Fix Could Help
The Supplemental Security Income Program has not been updated for nearly 40 years. Fortunately, Senators Bill Cassidy and Sherrod Brown are introducing a new bipartisan proposal to reform SSI. This change could help cut down on the amount of overpayments that are happening.
The proposal is called the SSI Savings Penalty Elimination Act and it would increase the asset limits for this program.
Under the current rules, you can lose your SSI benefits if you save more than $2,000 for an individual or $3,000 for a couple. The new Act would change those limits to $10,000 for an individual or $20,000 for a couple. It would also tie those rates to inflation to make sure that they stay relevant in the future.
If you support this Act, make sure you reach out to your local elected officials and ask them to support it.
Food Benefits May Be At Risk
Since the government has not authorized a new Farm Bill, there is a lot of speculation happening about what will happen with the nation’s food benefit programs. It is expected that Congress will extend the current Farm Bill before the September 30 funding deadline so that they can have additional time to debate and finalize a new Farm Bill.
However, there is one particular program that could be at risk. That’s the increased fresh produce allowance that WIC recipients have been able to receive. According to Eric Mitchell of the Alliance to End Hunger, there is a chance that WIC recipients will see their allowance for fresh fruits and veggies drop from $50 to $11 per month.
However, it is unclear whether or not this is something that will happen. We will keep watch and let you know when any changes are finalized.
FEMA is Low on Funds; Implements New Restrictions
Disasters have struck nationwide, from the fires in Maui to the flooding and severe weather on the East Coast. In every area where disaster strikes, FEMA is quick to respond. The Federal Emergency Management Agency is dedicated to providing emergency grants and other assistance to those who are affected.
The problem is that there have been a lot of disasters this year and the Disaster Relief Fund for 2023 is starting to run out of funds.
According to FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell, “We started with atmospheric rivers in California in January, extreme tornadoes in the spring, to the wildfires, and now we are in peak hurricane season… We have had an unprecedented number of disaster requests from governors because of the extreme weather they’re experiencing. This is our new normal. This is the operational tempo that we find ourselves in.”
KSBY reported that the FEMA Disaster Relief Fund was down to just $3.4 billion for the rest of the year. Now, that may sound like a lot but it really doesn’t go very far when disaster strikes.
That’s why FEMA has implemented what is called “Immediate Needs Funding Restrictions.” These temporary restrictions will stop funding for long-term recovery projects and hazard mitigation, which is designed to help areas recover from disasters or protect against future ones. Instead, FEMA is diverting their funding for emergencies that may strike within the remaining four months of the year.
In the meantime, FEMA is asking Congress for additional funding to make sure that their organization can continue to respond to every emergency.
Child Poverty Doubled in 2022
The child poverty rate more than doubled in 2022, according to the Census Bureau’s annual poverty report. Experts claim this is largely due to the end of the temporary Child Tax Credit expansion, which ended in December 2021.
President Biden tried to get a continuation for that expansion last year. Unfortunately, it didn’t work and the program was not extended.
The expanded CTC was responsible for lifting three million children out of poverty in 2021. The child poverty rate was cut more than 40% in 2021 alone,
Members of the Navajo Nation who own homes off tribal lands may be eligible for up to $125,000 in assistance through a new program! This program is expected to help tribal members who live in Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico and Utah.
The money will be distributed through five different programs. Each program has a different limit.
- Mortgage Payment Assistance is limited to $72,000 per homeowner. This is for homeowners who are behind on their mortgage payments or at risk of foreclosure due to a loss of income.
- Mortgage Reinstatement Assistance can provide up to $50,000 to help those who are in foreclosure, delinquency or default. The goal of these funds is to help you avoid losing your home.
- Mortgage Principal Reduction Assistance could provide up to $100,000 to those who owe more than their homes are worth. If you would take a loss if you sold your home, then you may be eligible for this program.
- Home Repair Assistance may provide up to $100,000 toward the cost of home repairs.
- Clear Title Assistance could provide up to $30,000 to help you clear the title of your primary residence.
There is more information about each of these programs in this announcement from The Navajo Nation.
Free Tutoring & Guidance for Students
If you have a child who needs help with academic tutoring or help filling out a college application, there’s a new nonprofit called UPchieve that may be able to help! This organization provides free 24/7 online tutoring to help students who attend a Title 1 school or live in a low income neighborhood.
You can sign up for free on the UPchieve website.
Claim Your Checks Before the Deadline!
Class action settlements happen when a company messes up. Maybe they lied in their ads or sold bad products. If you got hurt by it, you could get paid.
You may have cash waiting for you and not even know it! Since every dollar counts, this is important for low income people to know about. Keep an eye out for these settlements so you don’t miss out on cash you deserve!
| Settlement | Due |
|---|---|
| Baptist Emergency Hospital Billing Patients billed for tests at Baptist Neighborhood Hospital | Sept 18, 2023 |
| Journeys Unwanted Texts (est. $161.47) Individuals who got unwanted texts from Journeys between Dec 21, 2017, and May 9, 2023 | Sept 21, 2023 |
| NetSpend Prepaid Debit Cards Individuals with NetSpend cards (Jan 1, 2010 – Aug 31, 2016) with fees deducted | Sept 21, 2023 |
| Los Angeles Sewer Service Charges City of Los Angeles customers billed between May 4, 2016, and Jun 30, 2022 | Sept 24, 2023 |
| Dole Fruit Bowl Settlement Anyone who bought a Dole Fruit Bowls product between January 1, 2017 and June 27, 2023 | Sept 25, 2023 |
| TGI Friday’s Mozzarella Snack Sticks (est. $6) Anyone who bought TGI Friday’s shelf-stable Mozzarella Sticks snacks between January 1, 2017 and July 31, 2022. | Sept 25, 2023 |
| 1st Auto & Casualty Insurance Sales Tax Missouri policyholders who were insured by 1st Auto and submitted a damage claim that resulted in a total loss between October 18, 2012 and May 5, 2022, may be eligible. | Sept 27, 2023 |
| Instagram Biometrics in Illinois Anyone who used Instagram while in Illinois between August 10, 2015 and August 16, 2023. | Sept 27,2023 |
There are new settlements coming out all the time, so don’t forget to come back next week and check for an updated list!
Get a Grant to Help You Start or Grow a Business!
Got a business idea? There are grants out there to help you start or grow your own business. This is free money you don’t have to pay back!
Our sponsor, Skip, has a database of entrepreneur loans that can help you get started. Here are the grant programs that are currently accepting applications:
| Open Grants |
|---|
| Atomic Grants – $1,500 Atomic Grants is looking for four applicants who need help bringing their passion to life. This grant will be given to female entrepreneurs who are at least 21 years old and have a vision that will create positive change for others. Applications are due September 22. |
| September Skip Grants – $1,000 These grants are open to US-based small business owners. Applications are due September 27, 2023. |
| $5,000 Skip Growth Grant – $5,000 This grant is available to US-based small business owners. Applications are due September 30, 2023. |
| Small Business Sweepstakes – $5,000 Index is giving away $5,000 to a small business owner! The application is quick and easy, and shouldn’t take more than 15 minutes. You have to apply by September 30, 2023. |
| Fearless Strivers Grant Contest – $20,000 The Fearless Fund is giving away $20,000 to four black women business owners! You must submit your application by September 30, 2023. |
| IncFile Fresh Start Business Grant – $2,500 If you’re thinking about starting a new business or growing your existing business in a significant way, then you may be eligible for a $2,500 grant and an IncFile Gold Plan! This grant requires you to submit a two-minute video and a business plan. |
| FedEx Entrepreneur Fund 2023 – up to $10,000 This program will provide $10,000 each to 30 eligible entrepreneurs. In order to be eligible, you must have a disability or a connection to the military (such as a veterans, military spouses or family members). Applications are due October 6. |
| “No” Grant – $2,000 This grant is open to US-based moms over age 18. Applications are due October 31, 2023. |
You can see more details about these grant programs when you sign up for a free account with Skip!
Local Low Income News
We’ve found local news updates on everything from resource fairs to guaranteed income programs! Be sure to find your state subheading below if you live in Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin or Wyoming.
Alaska
Ariachak, a village in rural Alaska, has running water and modern plumbing now! However, there are still more than 3,000 homes in Alaska that lack running water,
Arizona
Northern Arizona University is having some problems with their financial aid systems. Students are complaining that grants, scholarships and loans are not being applied to their accounts. Instead, many students are being notified about bills they shouldn’t owe, payment plans they can’t afford, and non-refundable fees that should never have been assessed. The university has said that they are reviewing each account to make sure that things are handled properly.
On October 14, Pinal County is hosting a Veterans Resource Fair.
Arkansas
The University of Central Arkansas is implementing a new program that will help eligible in-state freshmen graduate debt-free. In order to be eligible, the student’s family must earn less than $100,000 a year. This program is called UCA Commitment and it will start next fall.
California
The Low Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP) will end on December 31! Don’t miss out on your chance to claim this free money to help pay your utilities. This program currently provides up to $15,000 toward your past-due water and sewer bills! They can also pay up to $316 for your current water and sewer bills. Contact your local Community Action Agency for details on how to apply in your area!
To make it even easier for people to get LIHWAP benefits, California Water Service (also known as Cal Water) has entered into a new agreement with the state. Through this partnership, the company will work with the state to identify customers who previously received help from LIHEAP. Those customers will be automatically enrolled in LIHWAP unless they choose to opt out.
California lawmakers have also introduced two new bills that would make it easier for low income residents to claim tax credits. There are many tax credits available, including the Earned Income Tax Credit, Foster Youth Tax Credit and the Young Child Tax Credit. However, these can be difficult and confusing to claim. The new proposals will make it easier, if they pass and become law.
In Santa Monica, the city is funding an e-bike voucher program. This program can help cover up to $2,000 toward the purchase of an e-bike, helmet, lights, lock and accessories. Approximately 75 vouchers will be distributed to income-qualifying households. The program is anticipated but application instructions have not been finalized yet.
Don’t miss out on these upcoming events!
- Sept 17 – Community Resource Fair in Coulterville
- Sept 19 – Los Angeles plans to introduce a new emergency rental assistance program
- Sept 22 – Capistrano United School District Family Resource Fair at the District Education Center
- Sept 28 – MSJC Eagle Landing Resource Fair in San Jacinto
- Oct 1 – Sonoma County Housing Authority will open the Housing ChoiceiVoucher Waitlist. It closes October 31!
Colorado
Elevate Boulder is getting more funding! This guaranteed income program will provide 200 households with $500 per month for two years. The applications for this program will open this fall.
Colorado Mesa University is also launching a new program that will reduce tuition rates for local students. This new program, CMU Promise, will fully cover the tuition fees for students from the Western Slope whose families earn $65,000 a year or less. This program is available to residents of 22 Western Colorado counties who choose to attend CMU Tech or any other CMU campus.
Don’t miss out on these upcoming events!
- Sept 19 – Business Resource Fair at Fort Lupton Public & School Library
- Sept 19 – Resource & Job Fair for Veterans at the Special Event Center in Fort Carson
- Sept 23 – Tustin Area Senior Center Resource Fair
Connecticut
Don’t miss out on the Special Education Legal Fund Resource Fair on Oct 1.
Delaware
On September 21, there will be a Housing and Resource Fair in Cambridge. The event is hosted by the Habitat for Humanity Choptank. Guests will enjoy a free lunch and learn about different community resources that can help, including legal aid, housing, health care and more.
Florida
In Citrus County, Florida, the American Red Cross is helping those who have been displaced by Hurricane Idalia. There isa shelter in The Bin Spot warehouse in Homosassa. They also have a Financial Assistance Program for those who have been affected.
Customers of Miami-Dade Water and Sewer may be able to get more LIHWAP assistance! There is more funding available. You can contact the Miami-Dade County Community Action Agency at 786-469-4600 to apply.
Don’t miss out on these upcoming events!
- Sept 20 – The Angel Kids Foundation Resource Fair
- Oct 7 – Miami Gardens Police Department Field Day & Resource Fair
Georgia
Don’t miss out on the Hispanic Community Resource Fair at Greenbriar Mall on Sept. 23.
Hawaii
Hawaii offers adult dental coverage as part of their Medicaid plans now! This change took place at the start of the year but many people aren’t aware of it yet.
Maui firefighters who were affected by the recent fires may be eligible for grants of up to $7,100 from the Live Like Tre’ Foundation. These grants are designed to help you cope with the loss of your home, a change in your income, or other unforeseen challenges that arose as a result of the fires. The application period is open now and it will close on November 4, so be sure to apply right away on the Live Like Tre website.
The Maui County Disaster Recovery Centers are still open for people who need to apply for FEMA disaster assistance. These centers are open between 8am and 7pm every day. They can help you connect with organizations and get help if you were affected by the fires. Those who have been affected may be eligible for an immediate $700 grant to help you meet your urgent needs.
Those who were affected are also encouraged to call the Red Cross at 800-733-2767. This organization is providing meals and housing for those who have been affected.
Please visit this article from Maui Now for more resources that may be available to you if you have been affected by those fires.
Illinois
The McHenry County Roofing Assistance Program can help low income residents repair or replace their roofs! In order to qualify, you must have an income that is at or below 80% of the Area Median Income. The priority will be given to those who are seniors or who earn 50% or less of the AMI. The county is only accepting applications until September 20, or until 200 applications have been submitted. You can apply online.
Don’t miss out on these upcoming events and deadlines:
- September 22 – deadline to apply for the Senior Assistance Program in Wheaton
- October 2 – LIHEAP applications open for seniors, people with disabilities and families with children
- November 2 – LIHEAP applications open for households in crisis
- December 1 – LIHEAP applications open for all other eligible households
Louisiana
There’s a new financial assistance program for customers of Entergy New Orleans! This program can help you pay your past-due balances and avoid service interruptions.
In order to be eligible, you must meet at least ONE of these requirements:
- You are over the age of 60; OR
- You have a Social Security award letter; OR
- You have a disability award letter.
If you are eligible, you can contact Entergy at 504-821-4121.
Maine
The Higher Opportunities for Pathways to Employment (HOPE) Program can help low income students pursue higher education and training programs. Eligible parents who participate in this program get access to all sorts of helpful supportive services, including assistance with vehicle repairs, child care, travel reimbursement, internet service and more. You can learn more about the HOPE Program on the DHHS website.
Homeowners who need help repairing their homes after a declared disaster may be able to get help from a new pilot program. This program covers the disasters that have happened since July 18, 2022. They may be able to help you get home repairs if you are a homeowner, over age 18, and need help with repair costs as a result of the natural disaster.
Massachusetts
The Pearl Street Shelter in Pittsfield will open soon! Although the building’s frontage is on Fenn Street, the entrance is actually located on Pearl Street. The shelter will have 40 beds and operate year-round.
Don’t miss out on the Bourne Public Schools Resource Fair on Sept. 27!
Michigan
Detroit has a Down Payment Assistance Program that provides grants of up to $25,000 for eligible residents. These funds can be used for your down payment, closing costs or toward the principal of the loan. In order to be eligible, you cannot have owned a home within the last three years.
Don’t forget about these upcoming deadlines!
- Oct 2 – Ann Arbor’s Guaranteed Income Program begins accepting applications
- Oct 13 – Ann Arbor stops accepting applications
Minnesota
The Minnesota Department of Agriculture has a number of different grant programs available to help support farmers. The state offers a Beginning Farmer Tax Credit, as well as financial assistance programs that can help compensate when a beekeeper loses bees due to pesticide poisoning, when farmers or ranchers experience crop damage caused by elk, or for livestock owners who lose animals due to wolves. There are many different programs listed on this flyer from the MDA.
Don’t miss out on the Community Health Resource Fair in St. Louis Park on Sept 19!
Missouri
Washington University in St. Louis has a new program that helps low income first-generation college students who are pursuing STEM education. This is called the Kessler Scholars Program. The program provides financial assistance that covers 100% of the student’s needs and offers other forms of support.
Montana
Residents in Montana’s low income housing complexes had a really rough summer. Montana Public Radio published an interesting article about how the heat affected those families. The problem is that HUD rules don’t require air conditioners to be installed in low income housing, because so many areas didn’t need it in the past. They also don’t have a lot of established cooling centers in Montana yet. As a result, some families are spending time in the Emergency Room to cope with the effects of the heat.
In light of that report, I just want to remind everyone that summer LIHEAP funds can usually be used to help pay for air conditioners. You can also call 211 to find a cooling center near you.
Don’t miss these Oct 1 deadline to claim $675 property tax rebate.
Nebraska
The Lincoln City Council approved an affordable housing project near the downtown. There will be 187 apartments available in this complex, ranging from 1-3 bedrooms. Rent will range from $1,000-$1,400 per month. It will also feature 199 underground parking stalls, secure bicycle parking, infrastructure for EV charging, two outdoor courtyards and more.
In order to be eligible, you will need to have a household income that is below 60% of the Area Median Income for your household size.
New Jersey
Cooper Medical School at Rowan University has opened a food pantry in Camden. This pantry specifically serves students who are having a hard time. Food and personal care supplies are available.
New Mexico
If you need help repairing your home in New Mexico, the Mortgage Finance Authority (MFA) may be able to help! This program can help you replace water heaters, bring buildings up to code, or install home modifications like rails or ramps if you need them.
New York
New York City has a new low income apartment complex! A new housing development in Bed Stuy has 43 studio apartments available for low income seniors. You have to earn less than 50% of the Area Median Income to qualify, which is about $49,450 for a single person or $56,500 for two people. You can apply for the housing lottery online.
Don’t miss these upcoming events:
- Sept 21 – Small Business Resource Fair in Sidney
- Sept 28 – A resource fair will be held at the Kennedy Memorial Park in Hempstead. It will take place between 10am and 2pm. The main purpose of the event is to highlight job opportunities for people who are involved with the justice system.
North Carolina
North Carolina is still struggling to implement their Medicaid expansion, so the state has announced that it will not take effect on October 1 as planned. The expansion cannot go into effect until 30 days after the state budget is passed and it can only launch on the first day of the month. This means that the earliest it could happen is December 1.
Brunswick Family Assistance (BFA) has opened a new headquarters in Bolivia, NC! This location will help them increase their food storage capacity, which will also help boost their food pantry operations.
Don’t miss the Harvest Center Resource Fair in Charlotte on Sept 23!
Ohio
Ohio’s Summer HEAP Program will close on September 30th! This program can help you pay for your cooling bills or even help you get a central air conditioning system repaired. In order to be eligible, you must be at least 60 years old and meet income limits. You can apply with your local Community Services agency.
Don’t miss these upcoming events:
- Sept 28 – Mayfield Village Senior Resource Fair
- Oct 5 – Community Resource Fair will be held in Cleveland. This fair will help residents find jobs, figure out tax delinquencies, obtain business loans and more. It will occur between 4-6pm at Richmond Heights Community Center.
Oklahoma
Don’t miss the deadline to apply for the Soroptimist Live Your Dream Grant on Nov 15!
Oregon
Lane Community College has introduced a new Welcome Back Scholarship. This program provides financial assistance to students who have an outstanding balance. Eligible students could receive up to $300 toward their balances, in the hope that it will help students return for a new term.
If it’s been more than a year since you’ve attended classes, you will need to apply for readmission before you can fill out an application for the scholarship.
Pennsylvania
A nonprofit called Hazelwood Initiative plans to build three three-bedroom houses on Flowers Street and sell them to low income residents. The homes will be sold for around $245,000 each. In order to be eligible to buy one of them, you must have a household income that is no more than 80% of the Area Median Income.
On September 28, there will be a Veterans Resource Fair at the Southwest CDC building in Philadelphia.
South Carolina
In Florence, low income customers may be able to get help with their utility bills soon. The Florence City Council is considering a proposal that would round up all customer’s bills to the nearest whole dollar to help fund an assistance program. The assistance program would help pay the bills of residents who make less than 80% of the Area Median Income and experience a financial hardship.
The Cancer Society of Greenville County is changing its name and location! The newly-rebranded Neighborhood Cancer Connection has broke ground for a new building at 113 Mills Avenue in Greenville. This organization provides supportive services to cancer patients and survivors. They provide help with counseling, nutrition, medical equipment, disposable products and financial assistance.
Tennessee
On October 7, there will be an Disability Awareness & Resource Fair in Oak Ridge. This event will take place at the Oak Ridge Civic Center between 1pm and 4pm.
Don’t miss these upcoming events:
- Oct 1 – LIHEAP opens for new award year
- Oct 2 – Housing Resource Fair in Chatanooga
Texas
Governor Abbot recently awarded almost $7 million in grants to several deferent Gulf Coast veterans’ organizations. Each of these organizations will use the funds differently. Some will use the money to support programs like clinical counseling or home modifications, while other organizations will provide direct financial assistance to eligible veterans.
Here are a list of ways that the money will be used:
- Financial Assistance
- Family Service Center of Houston & Harris County will use the money for financial assistance.
- Fort Bend County will use the money for financial assistance and clinical counseling.
- Grace After Fire will use the money for financial assistance and peer support services.
- Harris County will use the money for financial assistance.
- Houston Area Urban League will also offer financial assistance.
- Impact A Hero will use it for financial assistance.
- Katy Christian Ministries will offer financial assistance.
- Liberty County will use some of the money for financial assistance and some of it for Veterans Treatment Court.
- Northwest Alliance Ministries will use the grant to provide financial assistance.
- Spindletop Center will use the grant for financial assistance and clinical counseling.
- Mental Health Services
- Easter Seals of Greater Houston will use the funds for clinical counseling.
- Treatment Court
- Brazoria County Veterans Court Program will use the funds for Veterans Treatment Court.
- Galveston County will use the money for VTC.
- Montgomery County Veterans Treatment Program will use their grant for VTC.
- Other Services
- Fort Bend Senior Citizens Meals on Wheels will use it for supportive services.
- Golden Crescent Habitat for Humanity will use it for home modifications.
- Houston Volunteer Lawyers Program Inc. will use the funds for pro bono legal services.
- Interfaith Ministries for Greater Houston just said they’ll use it for support services.
- Lone Star Legal Aid will offer pro bono legal services.
- Montgomery County Meals on Wheels will offer support services.
- Montgomery County Habitat for Humanity will offer home modification.
- Precinct2gether Inc. will offer support services.
- PTSD Foundation of America will use the grant to support their peer support services.
- Rebuilding Together Houston will use the grant to support their home modification programs.
- Santa Maria Hostel Inc. will use their grant to support homeless veterans.
- The United States Veterans Initiative will use their grant to provide counseling and support for homeless veterans.
Families in Central Texas may be able to get financial help for after-school programs! The YMCA of Central Texas is working with Burnet Consolidated ISD to ensure that families can participate in the YMCA’s After-School Services.
Fix West Texas is hosting a multi-day Community Resource Fair today and tomorrow in Midland (Sept 16-17). This event features a pay-what-you-can service for pet vaccinations and microchipping. They also offer spay and neuter vouchers, pet food, and pet supplies when available. Tomorrow’s event will take place between 11am and 1pm at the Ector County Coliseum.
On October 14, a Fall Festival and Resource Fair will take place in Midland. This event will occur between 11am and 2pm at Dennis The Menace Park. There will be a pumpkin coloring contest, free food, candy, and games.
Utah
Don’t forget about the Suicide Prevention Resource Fair in West Jordan on Sept 23!
Vermont
Essex County was recently approved for even more FEMA financial assistance! This is because the storms caused more damage than expected. There are 11 other counties throughout Vermont that are also eligible for assistance.
Virginia
On September 20, there will be a Recovery Resource Fair at BrightView’s Roanoke Center. This event will provide information related to housing, re-entry, mental health, financial management, credit report and repair, second chance banking and overall skill building.
Washington
The Ethiopian Community in Seattle has a new building that includes 89 affordable apartments for low income seniors who are at least 55 years old. You don’t need to be Ethiopian to apply! If you’re interested, you can apply on the Ethiopian Village website.
More affordable housing is coming to Vancouver as well. The city has agreed to fund a total of 33 new homes for people who earn 50% of the Area Median Income or less.
Wisconsin
The Walworth County Aging Network will host a Senior Resource Fair on October 5. This event will take place at the Walworth County Health and Human Services building in Elkhorn.
There will be more than 50 vendors on-site that can help you with health screenings, hearing tests and more. There will be snacks and raffle prizes available! The first 200 attendees will get free gifts and a resource directory.
Wyoming
Don’t forget about the Caring Hearts of Wyoming Valley Senior Resource Fair on Sept 26!
Summary
Every week, Low Income Relief covers all the low income news you need to know. From big nationwide headlines like the Social Security repayment demands to local news stories like the Senior Resource Fair in Wyoming, this article covers many different topics from around the country. If you’re low income, you can’t afford to miss this!
Nicole Thelin
Nicole is the founder and lead researcher of Low Income Relief. After a personal experience with poverty and homelessness following her husband's sudden medical discharge from the U.S. Army, Nicole discovered the life-changing impact of community resources. This experience ignited her passion for empowering others to navigate similar crises. Nicole launched her writing career at age 16, working for various newspapers and publications. Her commitment to in-depth research and accessible content has been recognized by Google for Publishers and other industry leaders. For over 20 years, she has applied her investigative skills to uncover the most helpful, up-to-date information on benefits programs and community resources, ensuring Low Income Relief maintains the most extensive resource databases available.