It is important to know there is help available to you when you are experiencing a crisis. Whether you are experiencing homelessness or feel that you are on the brink of homelessness, there are helpful organizations -- private and public -- that provide caring services in your time of need. Additionally, there are steps you may take to get started on the road back to permanent housing and self-sufficiency. Check this page for emergency assistance and helpful resources for Pinellas County residents.
ACCESS Florida
See If You Qualify for assistance. The ACCESS Florida's Prescreening Tool is a quick and easy way for you to find out if your household might be able to get: help buying food, cash Assistance, low or no cost health care, and/or help paying Medicare premiums.
Affordable Housing Search
The FloridaHousingSearch.org website has a housing lcoator service which allows people to locate available housing in Pinellas County and beyond that best fits their individual and family needs. The service can be accessed online 24 hours a day, and is supported by a toll-free, bilingual call center on Mondays through Fridays, 9 - 6 EST. Individuals can easily search for housing using a wide variety of search criteria with special mapping features and receive apartment listings that provide comprehensive information about each unit. In addition, the site connects people to other housing resources through website links and provides helpful tools for renters such as an affordability calculator, rental checklist, and renter rights and responsibilities information. Start your search by going to http://floridahousingsearch.org/.
America's Second Harvest Network
Need Food? The America's Second Harvest Network is a nationwide hunger-relief network that collects and distributes nutritious, high-quality food to help feed people who cannot afford to buy groceries. We welcome low-income people of all ages, regardless of immigration status.
CASA (Community Action Stops Abuse)
Provides refuge, crisis intervention, and advocacy for up to 45 days when home is not a safe place. Residents receive emergency clothing, food, personal care items, and ongoing individual and group empowerment support. Phone: (727) 895-4912
Census Jobs
The Census is hiring in most if not all major cities. In general these jobs pay very well for your area and they are hiring a large number of people. For example in Seattle the jobs start at $17.50 an hour and they're hiring over 7,000 people. There is a test which an applicant must take and there are many practice tests online so your clients can prepare prior to taking the real test (they can also retest again and again if they don't pass the first time). As usual for government jobs Veterans can also claim priority so that may apply to some of your clients and give them a bit of a head start. The phone number is 1-866-861-2010 and here are some links:
Children’s Medical Services
The Children's Medical Services (CMS) program provides children with special health care needs with a family centered, managed system of care. Children with special health care needs are those children under age 21 whose serious or chronic physical, developmental, behavioral or emotional conditions require extensive preventive and maintenance care beyond that required by typically healthy children.
Discounted Phone Services
The Link-Up and Lifeline Assistance Program Florida are designed to ensure that all residents of Florida have access to telephone service and connections in their homes.
Emergency Financial Assistance
Pinellas County Community Development maintains a listing of agencies that provide rent and utility payment assistance. http://www.pinellascounty.org/community/EmergencyFinAssistContact.htm.
Emergency Housing Assistance
The State of Florida now has funds available for emergency housing assistance for one month’s overdue rent or mortgage payment. The eligibility guidelines for Emergency Financial Assistance for Housing Program (EFAHP) are on located at http://www.dcf.state.fl.us/homelessness/ . The household must have at least one child or caretaker to receive up to $400.00 and they must have proof of the housing emergency i.e. copies of the eviction notice, default letter from the mortgage company etc. The other requirements are listed on the website.
The most unique thing about the program is that it can be used for security deposits for new tenants. (See the introduction to the Vendor Agreement and section (4).)
The toll free number is 1-877-891-6445.
Emergency Job Information
Do you have questions about unemployment benefits, eligibility, paycheck or wage-related issues, or safety in cleanup efforts? Call the U. S. Department of Labor, Washington, D.C., toll-free at 1-866-4-USA-DOL.
Facing Foreclosure
Veteran housing counselors Sylvia Alvarez and Walter Walker Jr. offer distressed homeowners tips and strategies that can help them avoid, survive and overcome foreclosure. The book offers a step-by-step analysis of the reasons people wind up in foreclosure, the obstacles they must overcome and the practical solutions available to them. Published in partnership with the National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals (NAHREP), FREE downloadable excerpts from The American Nightmare are available in English and Spanish and include important information about your options if you are in default on your mortgage.
Book: "The American Nightmare: Strategies for Preventing, Surviving and Overcoming Foreclosure." Click here to read excerpts and to purchase this book: http://www.nahrep.org/american_nightmare/foreclosure-options.html.
Florida Discount Drug Card Program
The Florida Discount Drug Card Program is designed to lower the cost of prescriptions for Florida residents who have no drug insurance coverage. You may qualify if you are age 60 and older or if you are under age 60 with a total family income under 300 percent of the Federal Poverty Level.
Florida Healthy Start Program
Any mom can have a condition that puts her baby at risk. This is why all Florida doctors that provide care to pregnant women encourage every pregnant woman to fill out the Healthy Start Prenatal Risk Screening form. This screening helps to identify risk factors that can lead to a baby being born too early or too small. Healthy Start offers pregnant women and infant’s services that promote healthy pregnancies and healthy babies.
Florida Kid Care
Florida KidCare is our state’s children’s health insurance program for uninsured children under age 19. Eligibility for Florida KidCare is based on your child’s age and family income.
Food Stamps
The Food Stamp Program helps low-income households to buy nutritious food. A food stamp household is normally a group of people who live together and buy food and prepare meals together. If your household passes the Food Stamp Program's eligibility rules, the amount of food stamp benefits you get will depend on the number of people in your household and how much monthly income is left after certain expenses are deducted.
A lot is happening in the current housing market with foreclosures, refinancing and government programs. At times, it can be confusing. Many people have started the foreclosure process with their lender and may need additional assistance about the process, including available resources. Whether you're in foreclosure now or worried about it in the future, HUD has information that can help. There is also helpful advice on how to avoid foreclosure when your lender won't work with you. Excellent resources and information on this website.
http://www.hud.gov/foreclosure/
Higher Education Resources
Higher education offers students experiencing homelessness the best hope for escaping poverty and homelessness as adults. The programs of the Higher Education Act (HEA) have the potential to assist these youth to graduate from high school, apply for and access postsecondary education, and complete their degrees. In addition, recent changes to the Free Student Application for Financial Aid (FAFSA) will make it easier for unaccompanied homeless youth to obtain the support they need to pursue their education. These links lead to resources on laws, policies, and other materials relevant to higher education and homeless students.
National Association for the Education of Homeless Children and Youth
National Center for Homeless Education
Homelessness Prevention & Rapid Re-housing Program
The Homelessness Prevention & Rapid Re-Housing Program (HPRP) offers financial help and services to residents who are homeless or living in an at-risk household. This program is only for those who need short term help to find or keep rental housing. This program is funded by the federal Homelessness Prevention & Rapid Re-Housing Fund listed in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.
Pinellas County Residents (except St. Petersburg residents)
St. Petersburg Residents
Hurricane Evacuation Information
If you are homeless or know someone who is, there are specific arrangements for your evacuation and care in the event of a hurricane. Just click here to visit our hurricane information page. For further information, you may call Pinellas County Emergency Management at (727) 464-3800.
Medicaid
Medicaid is the state and federal partnership that provides health coverage for selected categories of people with low incomes. Its purpose is to improve the health of people who might otherwise go without medical care for themselves and their children. Medicaid is different in every state. Medicaid eligibility is handed by the Florida Department of Children and Family Services.
If you need counseling or recovery services, New Found Family is dedicated to the facilitation of a complete life recovery and rehabilitation course for deaf and hearing individuals.
Pinellas County Health Department
The Pinellas County Health Department in conjunction with the Pinellas County Health and Human Services Department offers primary care services, wellness and prevention services, and many other services for uninsured adults ages 18 - 64.The Health Department also offers a Saturday Clinic that serves the uninsured who may or may not qualify for the County's Health and Human Services Primary Care program.
Pinellas County Sheriff's Office, Victim Advocate Unit
Short term crisis response and support to victims, to include any type of crime against a person. An advocate is on call 24 hrs. a day, 365 days a year. This unit offers crisis response to crime scenes, court support, Crime Victim Compensation application assistance, Injunction assistance, criminal justice information, transportation, and more.
The Pinellas County Ex-Offender Coalition (PERC) was established for one core purpose: to assist ex-offenders in their efforts to successfully re-enter society and to be a resource for those wishing to help. While primarily supporting Pinellas County we also provide information on services available through out the state, and some resources across the country. If you are returning to Pinellas County and need help with employment, transportation, temporary housing or the many other services we offer, the PERC staff can help. For an appointment call: A.J Murphy at (727) 557-5193 or Rico Green at (727) 557-5194, Mondays through Fridays from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 P.M.
Safe Place
Safe Place is a runaway prevention, outreach and education program that provides immediate help to youth in crisis. The purpose is to provide young people with emergency access to intervention and prevention services. Whether youth have run away from home, are at risk of abuse or neglect, or are in need of respite from out-of-control family relationships, they can request assistance and be served at any of over 300 Safe Place sites in both Pinellas and Manatee counties. Youth presenting themselves at a Safe Place location requesting assistance will be provided with transportation to a shelter if desired. If issues of abuse or neglect are present, a referral to the Department of Children and Families will be made. For shelter services, youth will be screened for shelter eligibility and generally will be admitted to a shelter if they are not currently under the supervision of the Department of Juvenile Justice or Department of Children and Families. Safe Place services are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Youth in need of services should contact staff at any location that displays a large yellow, diamond-shaped, Safe Place sign, or may access shelter services and counseling by calling (727)384-TEEN in South Pinellas, (727)449-TEEN in North Pinellas, (941)708-5850 in Manatee, or 1-800-RUNAWAY anytime.
Safe Place2B
These short-term youth residences are open to troubled or at-risk youth between the ages of 10 and 17. They include youth who have family problems and conflict, who have run away from home or are homeless, who are having school related problems, or any youth who is in crisis for any reason and needs respite care. Shelter/respite services are provided for up to fourteen days. Not eligible are youth facing felony charges or who are presently adjudicated dependent or delinquent. To ensure the safety of youth and staff, youth who are combative, intoxicated, suicidal or show signs of more serious mental health problems are referred for more appropriate services. While in the residence, youth are provided with individual and group counseling, life-skills education and recreational activities. Family counseling is available while a youth is in SafePlace2B and can be continued through the family counseling office after leaving the residence. There are no fees for SafePlace2B. Services may be accessed 24 hours a day by calling: St. Petersburg (727) 384-TEEN (8336) and in Clearwater (727) 449-TEEN (8336).
Summer Food Program
The Pinellas County Board of County Commissioners, through the Department of Health and Human Services and in conjunction with the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the State of Florida Department of Education, sponsors the Summer Food Service Program for Children (SFSP) during school vacation periods. Click here for the meal site lists (main / addendum).
Temporary Cash Assistance Program
The TCA program provides cash assistance to families with children under the age of 18 or under age 19 if full time secondary school students, that meet the technical, income, and asset requirements. The program helps families become self-supporting while allowing children to remain in their own homes. Pregnant women may also receive TCA, either in the 6th month if unable to work, or in the 9th month of pregnancy. Parents, children and minor siblings who live together must apply together.
The Haven of RCS
Established in 1980 by Religious Community Service, Inc., The Haven provides safety, support and education for victims of domestic violence and their children. The Haven of RCS offers a continuum of services to adult victims and their children with significant resources dedicated to teaching children non-violent ways to express feelings, solve problems, and build self-esteem. Phone: (727) 442-4128
The RCS Food Bank
Unlike traditional "soup kitchen" the RCS Food Bank is a modern food distribution center, utilizing computerized programs to effectively supply over forty thousand needy people a year with a wide array of solid foods, ranging from baby formulas to most every basic staple. Hours are Monday - Wednesday: 12:30 to 3:30, Thursday: 12:30 to 7:00, Friday: 12:30 to 3:30. Phone: (727) 443-4031
WIC Program
This is a special food program for Women, Infants, and Children. To be eligible for the WIC program, you must be a pregnant woman, a breastfeeding mother, a new mother, an infant, or a child up to five years old. Fathers may also bring their children to apply for WIC.
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