Human Services
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Emergency Rental Assistance Program
Venango County Community Support Services (CSS) has received Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) funding from the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services. These funds will be used to assist the residents of Venango County who are struggling with rent and utilities due to a COVID-19.
If you are financially impacted by COVID-19 and currently rent your home, you may be eligible for past and future assistance on your rent and utility payments towards your past due utility bills. All applicants must meet specific income guidelines and demonstrate that they were affected by COVID-19 after March 13, 2020.
How to Apply?
- Online applications are available through COMPASS: https://www.compass.state.pa.us (to access the application on COMPASS, a link for ERAP will be made available under “What We Offer” in the top menu bar).
- Paper applications and additional information are available by calling Community Support Services (CSS) at 814-432-9250 or by email at venangoerap@co.venango.pa.us
- Pick up a paper copy at 1 Dale Avenue, Franklin, PA 16323, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- A printable version of the application is also available here: Click for Printable Application
State Guidelines
Emergency rental assistance will be offered to eligible individuals and households in Venango County who are obligated to pay rent on a residential dwelling and someone in the household has qualified for unemployment benefits or experienced a reduction in household income or other financial hardship due, directly or indirectly, to COVID-19, has demonstrated a risk of experiencing homelessness or housing instability and has a household income that is not more than 80% of the Area Median Income. With priority given to rental households that fall into the 30% and 50% AMI.
Emergency utility and home energy assistance to be offered to individuals and households who are rental households within the county who have utility and home energy obligations , including electricity, gas, water/sewer, trash removal and heating and the household has qualified for unemployment benefits or experienced a reduction in household income or other financial hardship due, directly or indirectly, to COVID-19, has demonstrated a risk of experiencing homelessness or housing instability and has a household income that is not more than 80% of the Area Median Income. All utilities will need to be in the household members name or be able to prove that they are the person responsible for payment. This proof can be in the form of rental lease, utility bill, statement from the utility provider that the individual was making payments on the account prior to COVID-19. With priority given to rental households that fall into the 30% and 50% AMI.
The following definition has been established to assist the agency in qualifying COVID-19 related to rental households who are experiencing homelessness, at risk of experiencing homelessness or housing instability. Assistance is available for rental households with an obligation to pay rent on a residential dwelling or utility and home energy obligations:
- One or more members who qualified for unemployment benefits, experienced a reduction in household income, incurred significant costs, or experienced other financial hardship due, directly to job loss or reduction of hours and unable to find employment.
- Individuals who need to terminate employment due to school closures, homeschooling, or caring for disabled or persons vulnerable to COVID-19
- Households with one or more members who demonstrate a risk of experiencing homelessness or housing instability
- Households with an annual or monthly household income up to 80% of the Area Median Income (AMI) for the household. With priority given to household that fall into the 30% and 50% AMI
Documentation Requirements:
- Qualified for unemployment benefits
- Experienced a reduction in household income, incurred significant costs, or experienced other financial hardship due, directly or indirectly, to the COVID-19 outbreak.
- Written and clause for this determination is permitted and must be either a written attestation signed by the applicant that one or more members of the household meet this condition or other relevant documentation regarding the household member’s qualification for unemployment benefits. If the grantee is relying on clause the applicant will be required to provide documentation that one or more individuals within the household can demonstrate a risk of experiencing homelessness or housing instability
- A past due or termination of their utility or rental eviction notice, a letter from a homeless shelter or domestic violence shelter or similar type of programs.
- Unsafe or unhealthy living conditions – letter from physician, code enforcement officer or support staff i.e. case manager, Social Service agency.
- Any other evidence of risk, as determined by the grantee
Contact us
Phone: 814-432-9250
Email: venangoerap@co.venango.pa.us
(24 hours a day/7 days a week)
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Our Mission
“To assure the safety of our customers, to preserve their families, and to enhance the quality of their lives.”
Who Are We?
Venango County Human Services is a branch of county government that is managed by the Venango County Commissioners. It is directed by a Human Services Administrator who works with categorical and system directors and managers to ensure that a comprehensive continuum of high quality services is available to qualifying residents of Venango County. We are among the 30 counties in the Commonwealth that are part of the Human Services Block Grant. While the county continues to work within the regulatory parameters of the traditional categorical systems, our focus has been to move away from disability-oriented systems of care to a structure based on Life Stages. The stages include: Children and Families, Emerging Adults, Adults, and Older Adults.
This shift in focus to Life Stages has resulted in integrated service coordination and partnerships with non-traditional providers like community supports, the faith community, businesses, and more. Monitoring for service providers, evaluation, and quality improvement are all based on the Life Stage orientation as well. The main purpose of this change was to ensure individuals and families are safe and secure in the least restrictive setting. Through our successful integration, we have enabled county residents to heal, grow, and recover by receiving services that are demonstrated to be appropriate, cost effective, accessible, and that meet an assessed need.
Community Support
Venango County Human Services directly manages the categorical systems that offer services for: Older Adults, Children and Youth, Mental Health and Development, Substance Abuse, and a variety of programs collectively managed by our Community Supports Services team (CSS). We also partner with Mercer and Crawford counties to directly manage the HealthChoices Program, under the auspices of the North West Behavioral Health Partnership, offering behavioral health services collaboratively between the three counties. Venango County contracts with a large number of community service organizations to provide prevention and treatment assistance to county residents.
Local Food Pantries
Many people in Venango County are struggling to put food on the table. We have compiled a list a resources that can be used to aid in receiving food.
1. WIC (Women, Infant, and Children) - provides supplemental food and nutrition education for pregnant and breastfeeding women who have given birth within the past six months and for children up to age 5. Shenango Valley Urban League, Inc. is the provider. Referrals can be made via WIC Venango or by calling 814-432-9892.
WIC Venango office hours are: Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri - 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Weds 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
2. SNAP/Food Stamps - If eligible, you will be able to use your allocation at the grocery store to purchase your own food. Applications may be submitted online through COMPASS or by calling toll-free at 877-409-2421 or locally at 814-432-4341. SNAP is administered through Venango County Assistance Office located at 530 13th Street, Franklin, PA 16323.
County Assistance office hours are:
Mon to Fri - 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
3. Local Food Pantries - Food pantries in Venango County are provided through community members such as churches, social services organizations, food banks, and more. Many of these programs do have eligibility guidelines but have been adjusting to meet the needs of county residents. Second Harvest also has a food pantry locator if you need to find one that is closest to you. The links are below: