AUGUST 2020
WEATHER
17
TODAY
103/76
TUESDAY WEDNESDAY
103/77
105/77
LEGEND PLUMBING & ROOTER Lic # ML-16126 830 • 303 •3335
MONDAY
B
By o you ht T g u ro
The Voice of Seguin Today
Volume 55 • Number 155 830 • 379 • 2234
Assistance, funding available for those impacted by COVID-19 By Cindy Aguirre-Herrera (Seguin) -- Has COVID-19 impacted your ability to stay afloat of the bills? Funds are still available for local individuals or families whose lives have been financially impacted by the pandemic. Daniela Flores, communications director for the Community Council of South-Central Texas, say the group is looking to assist those who might have lost their job, are receiving less hours or who have been forced to hire childcare.
or below the federal poverty guidelines. For utility assistance, it’s 150 percent the poverty guidelines. So once again, the Community Council is here to help our residents and we know that this is a
very unique period of time but as always, Community Council is ready to serve our community. If you or someone you know is struggling and needs assistance, please reach out to us. Our offices are closed to the general
public but there are coordinators in the offices and you can go by, pick up an application or visit our website and download one, fill it out and take it back to the offices,” said Flores. Flores says because of the extra stress during this pandemic, the guidelines have been adjusted to accommodate more people needing assistance. “In the past, our guidelines had been at 150 percent but Congress has recognized that a lot more of the middle class families are also suffering because of job loss or they have more responsibilities because kiddos are home and what not. So, they increased the percentage to 200 percent. That 50 percent window is opening this assistance to a variety of more families. The percent depends on family composition and household size and what not. But we still invite you to apply and don’t hesitate. We are here to help. I’m here to reiterate that our assistance, we value our clients’ privacy and we treat every client with dignity and respect, said Flores.
“We have assistance available in this area and this assistance is to help provide relief to people whose employment has been disrupted by economic changes by COVID-19 thus resulting in lower income so relief can include anything like utility payment assistance for electricity, gas and propane as well as utility payments that some programs don’t cover like water, sewer deposits and late fees. Assistance can also include gift cards to buy prescriptions, personal hygiene products, infant supplies, school supplies and cleaning and disinfecting,” said Flores.
In addition to utility or other financial assistance, the CCSCT has emergency home/ rental assistance. Qualifying households may receive one month of rent. Paper applications for any of the programs can be downloaded at www.ccsct.org. Residents can also apply at the CCSCT office located at 1201 W. Court St. The office number is 830-379-3022.
Flores says although there are eligibility requirements, she encourages everyone to give it a try. “Pretty much anybody can apply. Our eligibility for this program is 200 percent
Travis Anderson 830-822-5902