Services for Families
INFORMATION & REFERRAL: Community Services of Starke County provides clients with information on services available and make referrals to appropriate agencies. Agency also prepares and distributes a Starke County Resource Manual on a bi-annual basis.
FOOD PANTRY-HARDSHIP: Community Services of Starke County provides emergency food to households experiencing hardships. You can also make a donation to the food pantry, it may be tax deductible. Hours of operation are Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday, 10 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Courteous volunteers will assist you through the process.
WEATHERIZATION PROGRAM: Pre-applications are taken at the office, and forwarded to North Central Community Action Agencies, Inc. for processing. The weatherization program has income guidelines consistent with the EAP program. Weather stripping, caulking, door and window repair, and insulation are some of the benefits of this program.
HOUSING ASSISTANCE: We have subsidized apartment lists that we distribute. We no longer take Section 8 housing pre-applications.
ENERGY ASSISTANCE: The Low-income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) a federal program, serves income-eligible households who are subject to high energy costs or have electric/heating emergencies. EAP can provide benefits to off-set the high cost of energy, but does not have the funds available to pay all of a household's energy costs. Applications will be taken for Summer Cooling benefits if funds are available. Applications for Winter benefits will begin on November 1, and will be taken until funds are depleted. CSSC also seeks other funding to help families in need. Please call (574) 772-7070 for income guidelines. Mail in applications will be sent to those elderly and disabled households who were on the program last year or those who request one. Questions call (574) 772-7070.
APPLICATIONS CAN BE PICKED UP AT: Community Services of Starke County, 311 E Culver Road, Knox In 46534.
Printable application available in the above "Services" link.
Income Guidelines Are:
Household 3-Month Income (Gross)
1 $6,954
2 $9,096
3 $11,238
4 $13,377
Amount added for each additional person per 3 months.
Call (574) 772-7070 for information.
Please bring the following with you: You must have all forms and paperwork requested with you, and then we will email them to Michigan City.
1. Proof of all monies that came into the household for the past three months (3 months) for all members of the household. Bank statements showing SS and SSI direct deposits or current copy of check. Employment check stubs or letter from employer re: Wages. Unemployment check stubs. Rental income. Interest and dividend statements. TANF payments. (Get form from our office beforehand and take to DFC before you apply to insure that we have received it when you come in to complete the EAP application). Zero Income Forms are available at CSSC.
2. Current heating and electric bills (one only if NIPSCO).
3. Zero Income Form complete for all members in the household over the age of 18 who had no income in the past 12 months (except high school students). (Get form from our office beforehand and bring it with you at the time of application).
4. If utilities are included in rental housing, a Landlord Affidavit must be filled out by landlord. (Get form at our office beforehand and bring it with you with application). Utilities need to be in a household member's name, landlord's name or POA. (Except for REMC).
You must have all forms and paperwork requested with you.
IN CASE OF AN ENERGY EMERGENCY, PLEASE CALL 211.
FOOD PANTRY-HARDSHIP: Community Services of Starke County provides emergency food to households experiencing hardships. You can also make a donation to the food pantry, it may be tax deductible. Hours of operation are Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday, 10 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Courteous volunteers will assist you through the process.
WEATHERIZATION PROGRAM: Pre-applications are taken at the office, and forwarded to North Central Community Action Agencies, Inc. for processing. The weatherization program has income guidelines consistent with the EAP program. Weather stripping, caulking, door and window repair, and insulation are some of the benefits of this program.
HOUSING ASSISTANCE: We have subsidized apartment lists that we distribute. We no longer take Section 8 housing pre-applications.
ENERGY ASSISTANCE: The Low-income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) a federal program, serves income-eligible households who are subject to high energy costs or have electric/heating emergencies. EAP can provide benefits to off-set the high cost of energy, but does not have the funds available to pay all of a household's energy costs. Applications will be taken for Summer Cooling benefits if funds are available. Applications for Winter benefits will begin on November 1, and will be taken until funds are depleted. CSSC also seeks other funding to help families in need. Please call (574) 772-7070 for income guidelines. Mail in applications will be sent to those elderly and disabled households who were on the program last year or those who request one. Questions call (574) 772-7070.
APPLICATIONS CAN BE PICKED UP AT: Community Services of Starke County, 311 E Culver Road, Knox In 46534.
Printable application available in the above "Services" link.
Income Guidelines Are:
Household 3-Month Income (Gross)
1 $6,954
2 $9,096
3 $11,238
4 $13,377
Amount added for each additional person per 3 months.
Call (574) 772-7070 for information.
Please bring the following with you: You must have all forms and paperwork requested with you, and then we will email them to Michigan City.
1. Proof of all monies that came into the household for the past three months (3 months) for all members of the household. Bank statements showing SS and SSI direct deposits or current copy of check. Employment check stubs or letter from employer re: Wages. Unemployment check stubs. Rental income. Interest and dividend statements. TANF payments. (Get form from our office beforehand and take to DFC before you apply to insure that we have received it when you come in to complete the EAP application). Zero Income Forms are available at CSSC.
2. Current heating and electric bills (one only if NIPSCO).
3. Zero Income Form complete for all members in the household over the age of 18 who had no income in the past 12 months (except high school students). (Get form from our office beforehand and bring it with you at the time of application).
4. If utilities are included in rental housing, a Landlord Affidavit must be filled out by landlord. (Get form at our office beforehand and bring it with you with application). Utilities need to be in a household member's name, landlord's name or POA. (Except for REMC).
You must have all forms and paperwork requested with you.
IN CASE OF AN ENERGY EMERGENCY, PLEASE CALL 211.
