Count on the County in Times of Crisis

By Commissioner Jeff Koons

Last time, we talked about the home foreclosure crisis and some of resources available to help you stay in your home. Lately, my office has been receiving quite a few calls from low-income individuals, including seniors, who are not necessarily facing foreclosure, but need help making ends meet. Depending on your income level, the Palm Beach County Community Services Department has a number of programs and services available.

The Human Services Division offers help with the rent or mortgage on a one-time basis, if your income is at or below 110 percent of the 2009 federal poverty guidelines (FPG). Currently, the FPG ranges from $10,830 per year for a single-person household to $37,010 for a family of eight. (Add $3,740 for each person over eight.) At 110 percent, the qualifying income range is $11,913 for a single person to $40,711 for a family of eight.

Help paying your electric bill can be obtained through LIHEAP, the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program. This is for residents whose income is at or below 125 percent of the FPG ($13,537 for a single person to $46,262 for a family of eight). If your income is at or above 150 percent of FPG, contact Florida Power & Light’s Care to Share program.

Human Services administers the federal Homeless Prevention Rapid Re-housing Program (HPRP) of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. HPRP financial assistance and ongoing case management are available for up to 18 months for residents whose income is at or below 50 percent of the area median income, which is currently about $45,000 per year. To date, Human Services has received more than 2,000 calls and taken 200 applications. Due to the high demand, no new HPRP applications will be taken until after January 1, 2010. For information about this and other Human Services programs, please go to http://www.pbcgov.com/communityservices/programs/humanservices/.

For more than 30 years, the Division of Senior Services (DOSS) has provided every stage of assistance needed for continuum of care through a person’s senior years. This includes comprehensive in-home and community-based programs that relieve emotional, physical and financial hardships. Please call 355-4746 for information about the following programs:

• Emergency Home Energy Assistance for the Elderly Program (EHEAP) – immediate financial relief to prevent utility service disconnections and avoid dangerous/neglectful living situations.
• Grandparents Medical Reimbursement Program (GMRP) – reimbursement for expenses related to medical services for persons age 60 and older who care for minor grandchildren.
• Brief Intervention and Treatment for Elders (BRITE) – screening, intervention and referral for substance-abuse treatment to individuals age 55 and older.
• Nutrition Program – nutrition education and well-balanced meals served Monday through Friday at 23 community congregate meal site locations.
• Adult Day Care – social and recreational activities in a group setting with health monitoring at the North County Senior Center, 5217 Northlake Blvd., Palm Beach Gardens, 694-5435, and the Mid-County Senior Center, 3680 Lake Worth Road, Palm Springs, 357-7101.
• DOSS also operates the West County Senior Center at 2916 State Road #15, Belle Glade, (561) 996-4808.

As always, I welcome your comments and questions. Please feel free to contact me or my staff at 355-2202.