grannys gone and done it

Enola, my dog takes care of the best of the poop samples, so I'm afraid I take participate in this study.

 

Is the waiting list for the choice voucher program (you get a voucher and then find a rental that will accept it and meets inspection) - or for actual complexes that have their own, in-house, assistance/subsidy program? For example, in Madison we have the Section 8 program (agency I work for does it, matter of fact) and for that there is a 1-5 year waiting list *but* we also have several apartment complexes that are low-income housing complexes. Those complexes are entirely separate from our Section 8 program and each complex has it's own subsidies available to those who apply and qualify to live there. The complexes are not desirable, at all, but for a lot of folks it can help bridge the gap while they wait for a voucher - they can live in those apartments, receiving rental help, while waiting for their spot on the waiting list to come to the top - at which point they would get their voucher and be able to move out of the complex. The complexes in these three counties (Jeff, Jenn and Scott) have wait periods of 0-2 months vs. the 1-5 years for the Section 8 vouchers. If you can get in touch with Carol Parcell at SEIOC (or anyone there, really, but I know she is involved with the Section 8/housing program in that area) she should be able to give you a list of low-income housing options outside of the Section 8 waiting list. Are they wanting to stay close to you or would Madison be an option? If Madison is an option they could try Presidential/Windridge - it's up on the hill by WalMart.
Definitely have her get an application in for Food Stamps - they can expedite the process and provide some "emergency" funds.
Do either of them need help with getting GEDs or overcoming other barriers to employment (besides the barrier of just finding a job)?

 

How old are the kids again, Granny? If they are young enough they may be eligible for WIC.

 

When my middle daughter left her husband, I had a friend that offered her a place to stay until I could evict a non-paying room mate. She got food stamps the same day she applied. She of course had to give them up after she got a job and she could come live with me.

 

Yes - transportation, child care, challenges such as a dependent family member needing care, etc. can all be barriers to someone being able to work. One of the big pushes a few years ago was to try to start programs to help people overcome these things so that they could get back to work and be able to transition off of assistance programs. Different areas have different programs available but over all a lot of them were piloted through DWD (unemployment office) and partnerships with different agencies. I *think* River Valley Resources reaches into your area and they did have some programs that were in partnership with DWD, etc that addressed this sort of stuff -- not sure what is/isn't still running, but getting in touch with them would be a good place to start - 265-2652 - again, can't promise they'll have something that'll help, but at the very least might have some other resources you could look too.