The Helping Process

In the effort to assist clients in crisis situations to work toward practical solutions, the process involves listening, encouragement, guidance, referral to appropriate sources of assistance, and financial assistance.

Financial Assistance

Eligibility

  • Client must reside in Dalton-Whitfield County or be a transient in a crisis situation.
  • If there is an established community program or agency, for example, AFDC, the Salvation Army, the Lion’s Club’s program for assistance with eyeglasses or other that is able to help with the specific request presented, clients are required to show that help has been sought through those programs before DOC-UP will help.
  • DOC-UP will help only once a year. Should the office worker decide that a case is so extreme that this rule should be waived, the worker shall be responsible for explaining the circumstances governing that decision in writing, attaching the explanation and all documentation to the application, and filing this written account with the application. In discouraging clients from returning repeatedly for help, the effort is made to help build self-confidence rather than foster dependence.
  • Budget counseling, when available on a free-of-cost basis, is required in those cases in which the office worker deems this to be needful and appropriate, as a condition for DOC-UP to help a second time.

Types of Assistance

Utility Bills

  • Deposits:  DOC-UP can help with utility deposits provided the client can furnish proof from the prospective landlord of having arranged to rent space at the address given, and information from the utility company, either in writing or by phone of the amount of the deposit required. In addition, the client must show proof of employment or income which would enable client to pay the monthly bill after service is established.
  • Utility Bills:  Required documentation for help with a utility bill is the bill in question. The cut-off notice alone will not give all the information needed to make a determination. It is also advisable to verify with the utility company the status of the bill when possible. If the utility bill presented bears the name of a person other than the client seeking help, the office worker shall require that the client show through presenting a verifying rent receipt or other identification that the client does in face live at the address on the bill.

Rent Assistance

  • Help with rent may be given upon receipt of required documentation from the landlord.
  • Eviction notices shall not be accepted as adequate documentation. Even payment of overdue rent may not forestall eviction of an undesirable tenant.
  • Requests for help with rent DEPOSITS must be accompanied by a statement from the prospective landlord giving the amount of deposit required, the weekly or monthly rent, the signature, correct mailing address, and phone number of the landlord, and a willingness on the part of the landlord to accept a voucher from DOC-UP as promise to pay. In addition to this, the client should be able to show some proof of employment which would enable him/her to pay the rent once established in such quarters.

Emergency Shelter

  • DOC-UP does not pay for motel rooms. Clients presenting the need for emergency shelter are referred to Providence Ministries’ Shelter or other established mission or shelter. Calling before sending to ascertain availability of space is helpful.

Emergency Food

  • Clients asking help with food are referred to member churches maintaining a food pantry, to an area mission, Greater Works, or the Salvation Army Food Bank.

Prescription Medicine

  • DOC-UP helps with immediate needs for prescription medicine when funds are available. It is always advisable to check with the pharmacist before deciding to help with a prescription as some of the prescriptions brought to be refilled have a limited number of refills. The pharmacist will have a record and will advise as to the cost of the medicine being requested. Often a generic brand will cost far less than the brand name. The office worker should contact the physician prior to contacting the pharmacy regarding a generic.

Emergency Travel Needs

  • DOC-UP no longer pays for bus tickets. Should, in the opinion of the office worker, some compelling crucial circumstances exist, (request from another community agency alone shall not be considered sufficient reason) the office worker shall before helping in this regard, contact the Salvation Army, Red Cross, or the Methodist’s Children’s Home Office if children are involved, or some other local agency with an 800 telephone number and ask that they verify for DOC-UP the information given and check with some named person at the travel destination who agrees to assume responsibility. Such information must become part of the office records and be filed with the client application to show justification for waiver of the policy.

Gasoline

  • Help is given with emergency gasoline for local residents to travel to work, to seek employment, and to go for medical treatment. Transients are helped with gasoline in crisis situations. Help with gasoline is limited to a $20 gasoline card only.

Car Repairs/Parts

  • DOC-UP does not pay mechanics. However, help to buy a used tire or repair parts may be given provided the client obtains and presents an itemized bill or invoice bearing the name and/or logo of the intended supplier and a signed agreement that the supplier agrees to accept a DOC-UP voucher as promise to pay. (Such agreement may be secured by phone in some cases.)

Amounts of Assistance

  • The maximum financial assistance DOC-UP provides in a single instance is approximately $100.The above policy does not restrict member churches, church groups, or individuals from giving in any amount. Any grant monies (FEMA, or other) are applied in cases of need in whatever ways and amounts may be stipulated in the grants guidelines.

Cases in which DOC-UP Does Not Help

  • Clients living outside Whitfield County
  • Long term needs. These must be referred to agencies set up to help month-by-month.
  • Accumulated medical bills
  • Physician bills or hospital bills
  • Home repairs
  • Bus tickets
  • Motel rooms
  • Requests from any group for financial assistance