Work First /TANF Benefit Diversion - Benefit Diversion may be offered to qualifying families (not currently receiving TANF/Work First) as an alternative to ongoing cash benefits. This is a one-time payment equivalent to up to three months worth of cash Work First benefits, and is based on a needs assessment by the Work First worker. A worker may offer this option if the family’s situation is related to maintaining or accepting employment, has occurred during a short break between jobs and the family will soon be receiving financial resources that will meet their ongoing needs. Apply at the Department of Social Services, 301 Billingsley Rd. or 3205 Freedom Dr; for more information please call 704-336-3000.
Consumer Credit Counseling Housing Services: 704-332-9034, 601 East 5th St., Charlotte, NC. All requests to Crisis Assistance Ministry for help with mortgage payments must come through this agency. Must be at least two months behind in payments. Call for appointment.
Crisis Assistance Ministries (CAM): 704-371-3000, 500-A Spratt St, Charlotte, NC 28206; CAM provides emergency financial assistance for rent and/or utilities. You should arrive no later than 7:45am, Monday-Friday to seek assistance as a walk-in client. You should come to the agency on the day of disconnection regarding utility bills. Note: you are required to bring the following information every time you come to the agency seeking assistance. To become eligible for an interview, you are required to provide the following items: picture ID for the adult making the application, Social Security cards for all citizens in the household, proof of income for the past 30 days for everyone in the household, documentation of your emergency such as current disconnection notice and a current lease for utility or rental assistance. You need to be a resident of Mecklenburg County for 60 days and you must be in your current housing for 60 days for any assistance. New moves that are assisted are those who moved due to Domestic Violence, Fire, Foreclosure and Abatement with Section 8. You must have proof of the forced move. If you need assistance with past due mortgage/foreclosure you will be referred to Consumer Credit Counseling. Note: The agencies and faith organizations below help with SMALL amounts (usually $35 to $150) of financial assistance and may not always be able to help due to very limited budgets for financial needs. Some take a week or longer to make a decision regarding your application. You must call for an appointment or be referred.
Victory Christian Center: 704-529-5888., 7200 Old Pineville Rd. You must apply in person and attendance at a church service is required. VCC will not assist if you are a member at another church, and also will not assist unmarried cohabiting couples. It takes about one week for a decision to be made on an application. Applications accepted on Tuesdays, 9-4. No assistance with deposits available.
Matthews Help Center: 704-847-8383; 119 N. Ames St., Matthews, 28106. For those who live within a 5 mile radius of Matthews Help Center into Charlotte, anyone with a Matthews residential address regardless of distance or 10 miles or less from the Matthews Help Center with an Indian Trail or Stallings residential address. Emergency assistance with rent, utility bills and prescription medications, automobile repair and other basic needs. Multiple Sclerosis Society: 704-525-2955; 9844- C Southern Pine Blvd, 28273. MS patients only.
First in Families: Assistance to persons with developmental disabilities and their families. 704-536-6661
Goodfellows - 704-333-5040; Call on Tuesday or Thursday for appointment, seen by appointment only. Limited emergency financial assistance for rent and utilities. No assistance available for week to week rents (hotel/motel), mortgages, deposits or new moves. Must submit verification of earned income for past 30 days, id, and Social Security number. Must have applied with Crisis within past 30 days.
Bethlehem Center - (704) 375-1417, 2705 Baltimore Ave., Charlotte, NC 28203, Applicant must live in Southside Homes, Wilmore, or Brookhill areas.
Community Link - Newcomer/Travelers Aid Program-(704) 704-943-9490, 500 Spratt St., Charlotte, NC 28204. For newcomer assistance must live in Mecklenburg County for 90 days or less.
The North Carolina Utilities Commission has a Consumer Services Division that is responsible for assisting the public with complaints against regulated public utilities. This division can be reached at 919-733-9277 or 1-866-380-9816, 8-5. Their mailing address is NC Utilities Commission-Public Staff, Consumer Services Division, 4326 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-4326.
St Vincent de Paul – Provides assistance up to $100 with living expenses, you must apply with Crisis Assistance Ministry before your application can be considered. Must call on Tuesday between 9am-12. Calls received before or after this timeframe will not be returned- 704-369-0784
Goodfriends - This fund may be able to assist once in a 12-month period with an emergency need. No assistance available for deposits or first month’s rent. You must apply with Crisis Assistance first. This needs to be the last place you look for funds after all the other sources have been exhausted. Referrals must come through an agency case worker or social worker.
Charlotte Saves - Education of Charlotte Mecklenburg residents in the importance of savings accounts, money management, budgeting and goal setting. Motivational workshops, Financial Seminars, No fee savings accounts, Individual financial planning sessions. 13777 Ballantyne Corporate Pl., 28277, (704) 943-0355
Financial Stability Services - Ada Jenkins Center - Career counseling, job readiness, job placement, life skills and job skills training, money management, credit counseling. 212 Gamble St., Davidson, 28036 (704) 896-0471
Foreclosure Prevention – Community Link - Mortgage default counseling, Foreclosure counseling, loss mitigation counseling, bankruptcy counseling, reverse mortgage counseling. 601 E. Fifth Street, Suite 220 Charlotte, NC 28202 1-866-230-0956
Foundation Free helps homeowners avoid foreclosure. Financial Counseling; Foreclosure; Home Loan; Mortgage Counseling, NC (888) 995-4673 888-995-HOPE