General Financial Assistance
The St. Vincent de Paul Society provides rent & utility assistance through one-on-one appointments with a financial coordinator who is able to assess the needs of each person served as well as develop strategies to encourage self-sufficiency.
PLEASE NOTE: The application opens at 10am and closes at 11am. Your application must be submitted by 11am with the required documents.
​
All eligible application numbers will be put into a random number generator, and 18 random application numbers will be chosen. These 18 people will receive an appointment spot for financial help.
Please note: We cannot provide help with mortgages.
Upcoming Sign-Up Dates:
-
Tuesday, January 2nd
-
Monday, January 15th
-
Monday, February 5th
-
Monday, February 19th
Remember to visit your local township trustee's office to request assistance. Click here for a list of township trustees.
Applying for Assistance:
-
On the 1st and 3rd Mondays (with exceptions for holidays) of each month, the online application will open at 10am and close at 11am. You must click submit before the application closes at 11am.
-
All eligible application numbers will be entered into a random number generator. 18 random applications will be chosen and receive an appointment for financial help.
-
Documents must be uploaded with your application. Scroll down for required documents. All documents are required, EVEN IF WE HAVE HELPED YOU BEFORE.
-
If you do not have your documents, or you only submit partial documents, your application will be denied and you will have to reapply.
-
You will receive an email stating whether or not your application number was selected for an appointment. If your application is selected, you will receive instructions on how to schedule your appointment.
Please do not submit more than one application.
Need Help?
If you do not have a computer, go to any branch of your South Bend Public Library to access one. If you have trouble uploading your documents, ask a librarian to make a tech appointment.
Required Documentation:
-
Identity Documents:
-
Your Photo ID (Drivers License/State ID/Passport or SB City ID)
-
AND one of the following documents for EVERY person living in the home, including children: Birth Certificate, Photo ID or Social Security Card
-
-
Proof of current address:
-
Current lease or a piece of mail with your address on it - utility bill, etc.
-
-
Lease Agreement (we cannot assist with mortgages)
-
Signed, Current, ALL Pages
-
-
Documentation of Income for ALL adults in the household. Examples of this documentation include:
-
Employment Income
-
Work Earnings - pay stubs/payroll printout, etc.
-
Unemployment Benefits - screenshot or scan of most recent payment
-
Workman's Compensation
-
Alimony/Spousal Support
-
Child Support
-
Business Earnings - tax return for a business you own
-
-
State/Government Benefits
-
Disability Income (SSI/SSDI) - printout
-
SSI benefits for any dependents or benefits received by a widow
-
TANF - statement
-
SNAP (food stamps) statement
-
Section 8 benefits - including utility check
-
VA disability compensation
-
Private insurance disability benefits statement
-
-
Social Security/Retirement
-
Statement of Monthly Benefit from Social Security
-
VA Pension
-
Private pension benefits
-
Earned Income Tax Credit
-
Investment Income
-
-
-
For help with utilities - most current utility bill with supporting detail of charges for EVERY utility you seek help with.
-
For help with rental assistance - statement from the landlord of rent amount due with the landlord's name and mailing address. (You will need to ask your landlord for this - typically called a Rent Ledger or Rent Statement).
-
Additional documentation, if it applies to you:
-
EAP (Energy assistance program) document from REAL Services
-
Documents from visits to any other agency that you have received financial assistance from for the same bills you scanned before.
-
Budgeting assistance, job searches & resume creation services are also available by appointment.