Public Assistance: Brunswick County Application Guide

Brunswick County offers a range of public assistance programs to support its residents. These include health coverage assistance, rental assistance, and emergency assistance for food, rent, utilities, and prescriptions. The application process and eligibility criteria vary depending on the type of assistance. For example, those seeking rental assistance through the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program must first create a website account and complete a preliminary application to be placed on a waiting list. On the other hand, those seeking emergency assistance from the Brunswick Family Assistance (BFA) must bring proof of identity, address, and household income, among other requirements. The BFA provides support for life-sustaining medications and utilities but does not fund requests for gasoline vouchers, equipment rental, or deposits.

Rental assistance

If you are seeking rental assistance in Brunswick County, North Carolina, you can apply for the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program. This federal government program assists very low-income families in renting safe and sanitary housing in the private market. The Brunswick County Public Housing office is located in Building B of the government complex at 60 Government Center Drive, Bolivia, NC. Their hours of operation are 8:30 am to 5 pm, Monday through Friday, and they can be contacted by telephone at 910-253-2222.

To receive rental assistance, families must first complete a preliminary application and be placed on a waiting list. Once notified of their eligibility, families must complete a formal application and verify their household income and family composition. Eligible families will then be issued a Housing Choice Voucher and a Request for Tenancy Approval (RFTA). They can then locate housing from an owner who is willing to participate in the Section 8 program.

The Family Self-Sufficiency Program (FSS) is another program available to Section 8 recipients, which helps participants become economically self-sufficient. Brunswick Housing Authority's Section 8 program consists of 453 Housing Choice Vouchers, and they make monthly housing assistance payments to landlords on behalf of clients. Clients are required to pay at least 30% of their gross annual income toward rent.

Additionally, there are other local programs and charities in Brunswick County that offer rental assistance, such as the Brunswick and Glynn County Housing Authority, St. Francis Xavier, and the Salvation Army. These organizations provide emergency rent assistance, low-cost housing options, and other support services.

Health coverage

Brunswick County Health and Human Services offers a variety of programs that provide affordable health insurance or health coverage for those who cannot afford health insurance.

Medicaid is a health insurance program for low-income individuals and families who cannot afford healthcare costs. There are several different Medicaid programs, each with slightly different eligibility requirements. To apply, you can visit the North Carolina Health and Human Services website.

North Carolina Health Choice is another health insurance program for children whose families earn too much to qualify for Medicaid but not enough to afford private or employer-sponsored health insurance. Applications can be made through the North Carolina Health and Human Services website.

The Health Clinic at Health Services also offers many screenings, exams, and other services on a sliding scale, dependent on income.

Additionally, the Care Coordination for Children (CC4C) program assists children discharged from the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) and their parents. The program aims to reduce hospital visits and provide resources and information to parents. You can find more information or apply online.

The Brunswick County Department of Insurance also has trained experts who can answer questions about health insurance coverage and other types of insurance.

Food and nutrition services

To apply for Food and Nutrition Services in Brunswick County, North Carolina, individuals must meet certain eligibility requirements. These requirements typically include income limits and residency restrictions. The specific criteria may vary depending on the assistance program and the individual's circumstances. It is recommended to contact the relevant county office or visit their website to understand the specific eligibility requirements and application process.

One of the key programs offering food and nutrition services in Brunswick County is the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). This program provides monthly benefits to eligible individuals and families, enabling them to purchase healthy and nutritious foods. The benefits are typically provided through an Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card, which functions like a debit card and can be used at authorized retailers and farmers' markets.

Another resource for food assistance in Brunswick County is the Brunswick County Food Pantry List. This list includes various food pantries and soup kitchens that provide supplemental food to individuals and families in need. One such organization is Brunswick Family Assistance (BFA), which offers emergency food assistance to eligible individuals and families. BFA provides access to a food pantry, where individuals can receive emergency food supplies up to six times per year, with at least 30 days between visits. The types of food available may vary depending on donations received by the food pantry.

In addition to the county-specific programs, individuals in Brunswick County can also access state-level assistance programs. North Carolina's Department of Health and Human Services offers the Food and Nutrition Services program, which provides benefits to help families buy healthy foods. This program has specific income guidelines and eligibility requirements that individuals must meet to receive assistance.

Substance use education

Research-based substance use education programs have been shown to significantly reduce substance abuse behaviours, including the use of nicotine, alcohol, and drugs. These programs boost protective factors that decrease the likelihood of substance abuse issues, while reducing the impact of risk factors.

• Courage to Speak®: A nonprofit organisation providing substance use education programs for youth, with a mission to "save lives by educating and empowering youth to be drug-free and encouraging parents to communicate effectively with their children about the dangers of drugs." They offer a dynamic and thought-provoking presentation combining personal stories and the latest information on substance use and prevention.
• National Institute on Drug Abuse: Provides information on substance use prevention for all ages and offers a family checkup questionnaire to help parents learn about parenting skills that can prevent future substance use.
• NIDA for Teens: An offshoot of the National Institute on Drug Abuse website, providing information aimed at teens in an interactive and engaging format.
• Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration: Offers a wealth of knowledge about prevention, substance use disorders, and treatment, addressing prevention programming at school, family, and community levels.

Veterans services

Brunswick County Veterans Services is a government office that provides information and assistance to Brunswick County Veterans and their eligible family members. The office helps veterans apply for benefits through the Department of Veterans Affairs and other agencies.

To receive assistance, applicants must be residents of Brunswick County and should call the office to schedule an appointment with a Service Officer. The Brunswick County Veterans Services office is located at 10 Referendum Drive, Building F, Bolivia, NC, and is open Monday through Friday, 8:30 am to 5 pm, closing from noon to 1 pm.

Veterans in Brunswick County can also access a range of health services at the Brunswick VA Clinic, including primary care, specialty health services, mental health services, prescription counselling, vision care, foot care, prosthetics, and social work. The clinic is located at 93 Benchmark Way, Brunswick, GA, and is open Monday to Friday, 8:00 am to 4:30 pm.

In addition, there are various transportation services available for veterans in the region, including van services provided by Disabled American Veterans and county Veterans Affairs directors, which help veterans and their caregivers get to scheduled medical appointments.

Frequently asked questions