Low-income families can get help with food, shelter and housing.
Low-income families in Fort Walton Beach, Florida can get help with food, shelter, clothing, and medical care. The Florida Department of Children & Families provides help with food, medical care and cash assistance to eligible low-income families. The Jobs Plus/One Stop Career Center offers services to the unemployed, youth, veterans and persons with disabilities. The Public Housing Authority helps low-income families find housing solutions, and several local nonprofits and churches offer meals, help with utility bills and clothing.
Food
According to the Opportunity, Inc. Resource Directory, food assistance in the form of groceries, prepared meals and food stamps is available in Fort Walton Beach. Emergency groceries can be obtained at the Salvation Army, Striving for Perfection Ministries, and Sharing and Caring, Inc. Meals are prepared by different organizations throughout the week; schedule and location information is available through Caring and Sharing, Inc. The Department of Children & Families provides economic services, food stamps, and Medicaid for those that meet income eligibility.
Florida Department of Children & Families
Ft. Walton Beach ACCESS Storefront
450-G Racetrack Rd NW
Ft. Walton Beach, Florida
850-833-7595
dcf.state.fl.us/
Shelter
In Fort Walton Beach, emergency shelter for victims of domestic violence is provided by the Shelter House. The Waterfront Mission is a one-night emergency shelter for men and provides referral for women and children. Bridgeway Center, Inc. serves people who have been homeless for a year or homeless four times in the past three years and have a chronic mental illness and/or substance abuse disorders. Help with transitional housing can be accessed at FRESH Start (Okaloosa Coalition for the Homeless.) The HUD Fair Housing Market assists low-income applicants with more permanent shelter needs.
Fort Walton Beach Housing Authority
85 Ed Brown Street Southwest,
Ft. Walton Beach, Florida
850-244-7645
Employment
Comprehensive employment services are available at Jobs Plus/One Stop Career Counseling. Services include public access to the Internet and fax machines, current job listings, programs for dislocated employees and youth, as well as services for veterans and person with disabilities.
Fort Walton Beach JobsPlus
409 NE Racetrack Rd.
Ft. Walton Beach, FL
850-833-7587
jobsplusonestop.com/
Tri-County Community Council
The Tri-County Community Council coordinates an array of services, including transportation to medical appointments, shopping and recreation, the Head Start school readiness program, and help with paying utility bills. This agency also offers emergency food, help with rent, and funds for home weatherization and repair.
Tri-County Community Council
409 N.E. Racetrack Road
Ft. Walton Beach, FL
(850) 833-7587 ext. 203
tricountycommunitycouncil.com/
Considerations
Some agencies have limited funds and it is a good idea to call the agency ahead of time, particularly for help with rent or utility bills. Ask the agency what documentation they require to prove financial need. Most service providers require personal identification, such as a photo ID, birth certificates, and social security cards for each member of the household before they can process your request for service. Agencies involved in emergency assistance do not help the same client repeatedly; they will not pay a utility bill, for example, every month.
Tags: Walton Beach, help with, Fort Walton, Fort Walton Beach, Beach Florida, Walton Beach Florida, Children Families
