DSS Restructures Emergency and Energy Assistance Programs

February 26, 2010 – The Cabarrus County Department of Social Services (DSS) is restructuring the delivery of emergency and energy assistance services to citizens in an effort to conserve funding while continuing to provide assistance to those in need. The emergency assistance and energy assistance programs are designed to provide help to individuals who find themselves in a financial crisis that was brought on by outside circumstances, such as a medical condition or recent job loss.

These changes will allow DSS and the county to address the budget shortfall and to continue to provide the best possible services to the citizens of Cabarrus County. The changes will also promote responsibility and accountability for both the clients and the department.

“We are trying to make the dollar stretch farther while also asking clients to share in the responsibility of helping them get back on their feet,” said Ben Rose, director of the Cabarrus County Department of Social Services.

Restructuring changes are effective immediately and are as follows:

• Emergency and energy assistance will no longer be available for rental deposits or utility deposits. This minimizes the financial impact to DSS of frequently paying to re–instate utility services after a lapse as well as eliminates the cost of non–refunded rental deposits.
• All sources of income, including tax refunds, will be considered when evaluating requests for assistance.
• Households must provide evidence of their ability to maintain their financial situation (rental, utility, and other payments) without future assistance. The purpose of helping clients through emergency and energy assistance programs is to eliminate the crisis so they can be financially independent in the future.
• Financial counseling may be required of some customers to give them the tools to sustain financial independence.

For more information about these changes or for information about other services offered through DSS, contact the Cabarrus County Department of Social Services at 704-920-1400.