Welcome to the Palmetto Community Action Partnership Online Services

Energy Assistance (Electric/LP Gas)

Energy Assistance (Electric/LP Gas) is provided through the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), Dominion Energy's Energy Share program, Berkeley Electric Cooperative's Operation Round Up funds, and more.

Eligibility Requirements: All program participants must:

• Be residents of Berkeley, Charleston or Dorchester County
• Meet federal income guidelines
• Present a valid SC state-issued picture ID with current address for applicant
• Present legible social security cards for all household members
• Present total income for all household members within the past 30 days including date of application
• Provide 3 most recent energy bills
• Note: LP Gas requires the most recent statement

Documents needed:

• Legible valid SC state-issued picture ID for the applicant (with a current address)
• Legible Social Security cards for all household members
• Proof of income for ALL household members for the past 30 days, including the application day. If the applicant has earnings or wages, they will need to provide their pay stub (examples are monthly, semi-monthly, bi-weekly, weekly or daily). If the applicant receives Social Security, SSI, pension or retirement, they will need their current year benefit award letter
• Proof of income includes but is not limited to: Monthly Utility Check, Unemployment Insurance, Alimony, Monthly Stipends, Adoption Subsidies, Child Support, etc. If child support is paid voluntarily, a signed statement from the payer must be presented. If it is court-ordered, then a statement from the court must be presented
• If the applicant is a business owner or is self-employed, they must bring the current tax year's tax transcript to include schedule C or C-EZ
• If the applicant is receiving weekly unemployment insurance, a printout can be obtained at www.mybenefits.dew.sc.gov or by calling 1-866-831-1724

Please note that we are now returning to in person appointments at all of our offices. Please bring all required documents when you come for the appointment.

Rental and Other Assistance Program

(In-depth telephone screening only)

Palmetto CAP's General Emergency Assistance Program (or GEAP) provides financial assistance to households who have encountered an unexpected financial hardship. Service include assistance with rent, prescription medication, temporary shelter, disaster relief, food and more.

Eligibility Requirements All program participants must:

• Be residents of Berkeley, Charleston or Dorchester County
• Meet federal income guidelines
• Present a valid SC state-issued picture ID with current address for applicant
• Present total income for all household members within the past 30 days including date of application
• Provide an eviction notice (if one has been served and the applicant is seeking help with rent)
• Provide documentation of the unexpectant emergency

Please note that we are now returning to in person appointments at all of our offices. Please bring all required documents when you come for the appointment.

Water Assistance

(In-depth telephone screening only)

Assistance is available within the Tri-county service areas to provide water and waste water services to all eligible households.

Documents needed:

• Meet federal income guidelines
• Present a valid SC state-issued picture ID with current address for applicant
• Present legible social security cards for all household members
• Present total income for all household members within the past 30 days including date of application
• Provide current water bill

Please note that we are now returning to in person appointments at all of our offices. Please bring all required documents when you come for the appointment.

Eating Healthy on a Budget Workshop

(In-depth telephone screening only)

The Outreach Department provides food assistance through a virtual interactive workshop that includes providing nutritional information in addition to a cooking demonstration. Upon completion eligible households will receive food assistance through the Wal-Mart grocery pickup program

Homebound Service

(In-depth telephone screening only)

The Outreach Department provides services for individuals who are unable to leave their home due to medical and or physical disabilities and have no access to transportation by family or public means.

Weatherization Assistance

• Energy saving home improvements
• All dwellings will be assessed for energy, health and safety measures that may be installed according to the energy audit
• No emergency services
• No roof replacements
• Contact Weatherization office on Mondays through Thursdays from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at 843.720.5336

Call us at 843.720.5336 for complete information

Orientation for Getting Ahead

Dates: December 2021 / Registration begins in November

• Virtual group workshop to develop plans to become economically independent
• Must be at least 18 years old
• Must have high school diploma or GED

Appointments for this program are currently unavailable. Please check back for announcements for when appointment will become available. Thank you.

Summer Camp

Camp site to be announced in April
Registration starts May

Appointments for this program are currently unavailable. Please check back for announcements for when appointment will become available. Thank you.

Summer Youth Works!

Dates: Registration February until April 30th

Seasonal employment for college bound high school 10-12th graders and students enrolled in accredited colleges or certification program.

Eligibility documents needed:

• Current college students or certification students must be 24 years old or younger.
• If 18 or older, a state ID; if 17 or younger, a school ID
• If in college or certification program, current schedule and most recent grades.
• High School students: most recent Power School Report or Report Card
• If a High School senior, acceptance letters to an accredited college or certification program
• Proof of household Income for the past thirty days.
• Completed Intake, DBA Application, and MOU with E&E

Appointments for this program are currently unavailable. Please check back for announcements for when appointment will become available. Thank you.

Childcare in Support of Work

Dates February until funds are exhausted

Assist with job start up or to make family current with day care in support of work

Eligibility documents needed:

• State issued ID
• Proof of household income from the past 30 days
• If household income is not from employment, a letter or email of hire is required
• Daycare provider must be registered with DSS
• Includes home daycare, before and after school and summer camp for children under 12 in support of employment
• Statement from childcare provider stating child's name and the date they can start, or Invoice from a current childcare provider
• If the balance is more than $600, a statement from the Childcare provider that they will work with the household on a payment plan and allow the child to continue to attend the facility
• Completed Intake, DBA, application, and MOU with E&E

   

On-the-Job Training (OJT)

Dates: February until funds are exhausted

Work experience to the unemployed and underemployed to increase employment skills

Eligibility documents needed:

• Resume
• State issued ID
• Proof of household income from the past thirty days
• Completed Intake, DBA application, and MOU with E&E

   

School Fees and Uniforms

Employment and Education is accepting screening appointments for school uniforms for household members in K-12 grade in August of 2022. This must be the household’s first time receiving school uniforms or last received assistance in 2020 or earlier. Households must provide a school uniform policy for 2022-2023. Someone from the Employment and Education Services Department will be in contact with you within the next 72 hours to complete your screening. Thank you

Dates: July 15 until funds are exhausted

• School fees or uniforms up to $150 per child
• Max 2 children per household

Eligibility documents needed:

• State issued ID
• Proof of household income from the past thirty days
• Letter from the school regarding school fees or uniform policy
• Completed Intake, DBA application, and MOU with E&E

Appointments for this program are currently unavailable. Please check back for announcements for when appointment will become available. Thank you.

Tuition Assistance

Dates: February until funds are exhausted

• Accredited college and Trident Technical students only
• Assistance with tuition, college fees and licensure exam fees

Eligibility documents needed:

• State ID
• If 18 or older, a state ID; if 17 or younger, a school ID
• Proof of household Income for the past thirty days.
• Statement from school showing current balance. Complete printout with student's name, school ID and breakdown of bill, FASFA and other awards
• If needed, proof of payment plan arrangement and history of payments
• Current class schedule
• Completed Intake, DBA application, and MOU with E&E

   

Financial Literacy Class

Dates: See schedule - Chas: Mon, Dor/Berk: Wed

• Group class with great budgeting tips
• Will conduct class offsite upon request with notice
• Required for second service in LIHEAP program starting in May of 2022
• Second referral will be a virtual 90 day interactive budgeting course

Eligibility: Info gathered from referral

• Genuine interest in money management minimum of 90 days commitment

Documents needed:

• State issued ID
• Proof of household income for the past thirty days

Appointments for this program are currently unavailable. Please check back for announcements for when appointment will become available. Thank you.

One-on-One Budgeting

Dates: See schedule- Mon - Thur

• One-on-one sessions available upon request or referral
• Second referral will be a virtual 90-day interactive budgeting course (group or one-on-one)

Eligibility:

• Genuine interest in money management minimum of 90 days commitment
• Meet CSBG income guidelines

Documents needed:

• State issued ID
• Proof of household income for the past thirty days

   

Free Tax Preparation (VITA)

Dates: December through October only

• Electronic filing
• Earned income and child tax credits

What Do I Need to Bring?
You must have the following:

• Social Security Cards or Tax Identification Number (TIN) cards for everyone in the household you are including on your tax return
• W-2 forms as proof of income for you and/or your spouse
• 1099 Self-Employment form (if self-employed)
• Property Tax Statements (if any)
• Alimony Statement (if any)
• Child Care expense statement (if any)
• Unemployment Compensation statement (if any)
• Rental Income (if any)
• Student Loan information (if any)
• State issued identification card (unexpired driver's license, I.D. card)
• Pension or retirements statements (if any)
• Social Security or Railroad retirement statements (if any)
• Other income such as lottery winnings, awards, prizes etc. (if any)

Eligibility:

• Low to moderate income residents of Charleston, Berkeley and Dorchester Counties
   

Housing Support / Stability

February until funds are exhausted

• Stabilizing services after crisis
• Budgeting and savings tutorials
• Landlord / tenants rights counseling
• 3-5 month financial assistance with rent
• Minimal mortgage assistance with emergency
• Note: Crisis rental services offered through Rental assistance under Outreach programs

Eligibility:

• Participant must be 18 years or older
• Participant must have lease in name
• Meet CSBG income guidelines
• Have source of verifiable income
• Genuine interest in safe, affordable housing & money management

Documents needed:

• State issued ID
• Proof of household income for the past thirty days