Cheshire - The bedding plant capital of Connecticut

SOCIAL SERVICES

The Town of Cheshire Human Services Department offers a variety of social service and assistance programs for our residents or all ages. Please review our programs listed below to see you if you or someone you know is eligible for assistance.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THESE PROGRAMS, INCLUDING APPLICATION INFORMATION, CALL KRISTEN SCHECHTER AT THE HUMAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT AT 203-271-6690.

Please note that during the heating and holiday season, from September through January, our office experiences a significant increase in call volume and activity. Although we do our best to respond to all inquiries in a timely manner and all calls are important to us, we appreciate your patience during this extremely busy time as we do our best to serve each and every one of our clients. Should your call not be answered immediately or not returned during the same business day, please know that we will respond as quickly as possible. If your call is urgent in nature please do not hesitate to contact us again.

SMART Recovery Groups

Cheshire Human Services has received funding through the Connecticut Recovery Oriented Support System for Youth (CROSS) Initiative to run a SMART (Self-Management and Recovery Training) Group for youth ages 16-18 and to run a SMART Recovery Family and Friends Group. Please see the attached flyer for details and referral/registration.

CONNECTICUT ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

This program provides assistance to income eligible households in paying for their heating costs during the winter months. The Cheshire Human Services Department is an intake site for Cheshire residents, and applications are forwarded to New Opportunities for Waterbury for processing. Households are determined eligible based on state income and asset guidelines. Program eligibility is based on income, liquid assets and family size. Applicants must provide documentation of current income and assets of all family members, in order to apply for assistance. Documentation of assets include most recent checking, savings, credit union statements, stocks, bonds, CDs, IRAs, etc. Applicants must provide current primary heating source bill. All heat sources are considered, including oil, propane, electricity, gas and wood. Renters who have their heat included in their rent must provide rent receipts and a copy of their lease. State guidelines can be found on the Connecticut Department of Social Services website or by calling Infoline at 211.

Applications for the State of Connecticut Energy Assistance Program will begin in September 5, 2017 for the 2017-2018 winter season at the Cheshire Human Services Department, 84 South Main Street. At that time, prospective applicants should call the Human Services Department at 203-271-6690 to schedule an appointment; applications will be taken by appointment only.

Please note: All paperwork will need to be complete at time of appointment or application will not be submitted.

*** Reminder***

March 15, 2018- Deadline for fuel authorization

May 1, 2018- The last day that a household can apply to establish its eligibility.

This means that after March 15, and up to May 1^st we CAN take applications for deliverable fuel but we can only pay for any oil delivered from 11/15/17 to March 15, 2018 (up to the basic award). If a client wants to apply after March 15^th for deliverable fuel, please have them provide any oil tickets received from 11/15 to 3/15 to see if we can pay for any of them. Deliverable fuel CANNOT be requested after the March 15^th deadline.

CHESHIRE FUEL BANK

This program provides assistance to Cheshire residents who are in an emergency situation. Funds for this program are provided by generous donations from individuals, religious groups, and civic organizations.

TAX RELIEF FOR ELDERLY AND HANDICAPPED RENTERS

This program offers a state subsidy to renters over the age of 65 or who are receiving Social Security Disability that meet guidelines based on their income and rent/utility expenses. Checks are sent by the Connecticut Office of Policy and Management to these households to offset any increase in rent due to changes in property taxes that landlords pass on to the renters.

The CHESHIRE FOOD VOUCHER PROGRAM

This program provides food vouchers of $40 to certain local grocery stores to eligible resident households in need of perishable food items. Households can also be referred to the Cheshire Community Food Pantry. Funding for the Food Voucher program comes from the Cheshire Food Drive, Inc.

PARKS AND RECREATION FEE SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM

This cross-department program provides a reduction in the fees charged for income eligible families with children so that they can participate in the recreational and cultural programs offered throughout the year. Screening of household income determines the eligibility for this program. Fee reduction is granted by the Park and Recreation Department based on this certification.

"ADOPT-A-FAMILY" PROGRAM

The Cheshire Social Services offers an annual "Adopt-A-Family" program for the holiday season. This program is available to any Cheshire resident having financial difficulties. Applications will be taken by the Town of Cheshire Social Worker.

Holiday Donors - Anyone interested in donating food items or gifts for the holidays, please contact Kristen Schechter, Town of Cheshire Social Worker at 203-271-6690.

BACK-TO-SCHOOL PROGRAM

This program is available to any family experiencing financial difficulty. School supplies, backpacks and shoe vouchers are available. A limited supply of these items is available in August and September each year.

SOCIAL WORK & CRISIS INTERVENTION/SUPPORT

These services are provided by the Town Social Worker. Social services cases include individuals experiencing financial difficulties, seeking rental or mortgage assistance, facing shutoff notices on utilities, housing issues, legal referrals, food assistance, unemployment, and disability. In addition, in conjunction with the Cheshire Police Department, intervention is provided for individuals experiencing a variety of crises including domestic violence, family disputes, juvenile disputes, grief counseling, divorce, and custody issues.

SALVATION ARMY - CHESHIRE UNIT

The Salvation Army provides crisis assistance to needy residents. The Social Worker will meet with the client, make an assessment and provide assistance depending upon their needs. Vouchers to the Salvation Army Thrift Store are also available. During the month of December, volunteers assist with the kettle collection.

LOCAL TAX RELIEF

The Town of Cheshire offers a variety of Local Elderly Tax Relief Programs for eligible residents.

HOUSING REHABILITATION PROGRAM

The Town of Cheshire’s Human Services Department is submitting an application to the Department of Housing for a Municipal Housing Rehabilitation Grant. Should we receive funding the program will be offered on a first come, first serve basis to qualified low and moderate income residents. Funds for this program come in the form of 0% interest loans from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The focus of the program is on code compliance and safety concerns rather than home remodeling. The program objectives are as follows:

To prevent hazardous health conditions and code violations
To prevent blighting influences and deterioration of property and neighborhoods
To improve the quality of the municipality’s housing stock for low-moderate income persons
To provide financial assistance to low-moderate income property owners for housing rehabilitation activities
To provide financial assistance to low-moderate income property owners for the purpose of septic repair or replacement, sewer and water hookups
To stimulate public and private investment within the target area neighborhoods

Homeowners/landlords who believe they may qualify for assistance are encouraged to submit a letter of interest which can be reached through the link below. Applications and additional information are also available through the following links:

Letter of Interest

Applications

HUD Income Limits

Contractor Application

Municipal Housing Rehabilitation Program Handbook

Homeowner Orientation

PLEASE NOTE: SHOULD WE RECEIVE FUNDING, THE APPLICATION PROCESS WILL LIKELY BEGIN IN THE FALL OF 2018. NO APPLICATIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED PRIOR TO THE OFFICIAL OPENING OF THE APPLICATION PROCESS. HOWEVER, IF YOU SUBMIT A LETTER OF INTEREST, YOU WILL BE NOTIFIED IN ADVANCE OF THE START DATE FOR THE APPLICATION PROCESS.