CCA offers help with cooling bills, more

from Carolina Community Actions Inc.
Carolina Community Actions, Inc. (CCA, Inc.) has money available to assist low-income families with a variety of services including cooling bills, water, air conditioners, fans, mortgage and rent.
CCA also administers a family assessment program to assist with obtaining employment, license for certified nursing assistance, books, supplies, general education degree, child care and youth leadership programs.
Qualification is based on total gross household income during the past 30 days.
Applications for emergency and non-emergency cooling bills, air conditioners, water, mortgage and rent are taken Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 101 S. Wylie St., Lancaster.
Applications for non-emergency cooling assistance will be taken from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. July 9 at Heath Springs Seniors Complex; 212 Springs St., Heath Springs, SC  29058.
Non-emergency assistance
Those requiring non-emergency assistance must provide the following documentation:
• A South Carolina picture ID with current address
• A copy of the current unpaid electric bill (must be in the name of the applicant or household member)
• A receipt indicating the disallowed charges on the electric bill have been paid. Disallowed charges include water, sewer, sanitation, outdoor lights, light and wood poles, city and county fines for late garbage bin pickup, voluntary round-up fees, meter tampering charges, security systems and returned check fees.
• Social Security cards for all household members
• Proof of total gross household income for the last 30 days. Documentation for job verification may be required, based on employment/unemployment status.

• Household members 18 years or older with no income must provide a current printout of forms 01 and 07 from the S.C. Employment Security Commission, along with a current job search printout.
• Social Security recipients must provide a 2012 award letter from the Social Security Administration that indicates the monthly benefit. If claiming a disability, that verification must be presented as well.
Emergency assistance
Those seeking emergency assistance must provide all the above documentation for non-emergency assistance, along with:  
• The last two original bills from utility provider (a current stamped account history may be required)
• Clear documentation of the emergency that occurred within the last 90 days ( i.e., decrease in household income, car repairs, proven medical emergencies, etc.)
• A receipt or money order for the balance of the amount CCA cannot pay

Mortgage, rent and water bill assistance
Those requiring assistance with mortgages, rent and water bills  must provide all the above documentation for non-emergency assistance, along with:  
• Copy of the lease agreement that includes all household members and eviction notice from the landlord or magistrate’s office
• Clear documentation of the emergency that occurred within the last 90 days (i.e., decrease in household income, car repairs, proven medical emergencies, etc.)
• A receipt or money order for the balance of the amount CCA cannot pay
Carolina Community Actions Inc. is a private nonprofit corporation whose mission is to promote the self-reliance of income-eligible individuals and families by forming partnerships that provide a systematic reduction of the causes and conditions of poverty.
Its programs are funded through the Department of Health and Human Services and administered through the Office of Economic Opportunity (OEO) in Columbia.
For more information on each program, call (803) 285-2034.