Palm Beach County Programs
Senior Services
Financial Assistance
Veterans Services
Aging Elder Helpline
866-684-5885
Palm Tran CONNECTION
561-649-9838
PBC Palm Tran
561-841-4200
HOME DELIVERED MEALS
(561) 355-4746
Meals are delivered to seniors age sixty (60) and older who are unable to prepare their own meals, cannot shop for food, and do not have anyone to prepare meals or shop for them.
CONGREGATE MEALS
To meet the nutr
Aging Elder Helpline
866-684-5885
Palm Tran CONNECTION
561-649-9838
PBC Palm Tran
561-841-4200
HOME DELIVERED MEALS
(561) 355-4746
Meals are delivered to seniors age sixty (60) and older who are unable to prepare their own meals, cannot shop for food, and do not have anyone to prepare meals or shop for them.
CONGREGATE MEALS
To meet the nutritional needs of the elderly, DOSS has established numerous Senior Meal Sites. A complete senior meal and nutrition education is provided. Seniors age sixty (60) and older are encouraged to dine together in a social atmosphere. Meals are served Monday through Friday. Reservations must be made at least one (1) working day in advance. For additional information, or a DOSS Congregate Meal Site location near you, please call (561) 355-4746.
Funding is under the Federal Older Americans' Act along with funds provided by the Palm Beach County Board of County Commissioners.
Faith Manfra (Director)
810 Datura Street
West Palm Beach, FL 33401
(561) 355-4746
Open Mon to Fri 8 AM to 5 PM
https://discover.pbcgov.org/communityservices/seniorservices/Pages/default.aspx
Veterans Services
Financial Assistance
Veterans Services
IMPORTANT LINKS
https://discover.pbcgov.org/communityservices/humanservices/Veterans/Links.aspx
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Veterans Services assists and counsels former and current members of the Armed Forces who reside in Palm Beach County. Services include assistance in preparing and filing claims for benefits.
IMPORTANT LINKS
https://discover.pbcgov.org/communityservices/humanservices/Veterans/Links.aspx
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Veterans Services assists and counsels former and current members of the Armed Forces who reside in Palm Beach County. Services include assistance in preparing and filing claims for benefits. Dependents and survivors of present or former members of the Armed Forces may also be eligible.
https://discover.pbcgov.org/communityservices/humanservices/Pages/Veteran-Services.aspx
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VETERANS SERVICES HELP
VA Benefits 800-824-1000
Life Insurance 800-669-8477
VA Education Benefits 888-442-4551
Debt Management 800-827-0648
Mammography Hotline 888-492-7844
Device For Deaf (TDD) 800-829-4833
Headstones & Markers 800-697-6947
CHAMPV A 800-733-8387
Persian Gulf Help Line 800-749-8387
Records 561-233-5160
Zoning 561-233-5200
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HONORING GOLD STAR FAMILIES
& HEROES!
https://sites.google.com/palmbeachschools.org/celebrate-our-heroes/celebrate-our-heroes
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PBC Veterans Coalition
Their mission is to marshal resources to all service members, veterans & their families with a target on homeless veterans, veterans at risk of homelessness & veterans reintegrating into the community.
https://discover.pbcgov.org/communityservices/humanservices/Pages/Veterans-Coalition.aspx
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Resources for filing disability claim due to asbestos exposure
https://www.asbestos.com/veterans/va-claims/
Medical help for asbestos exposure
Financial Assistance
Financial Assistance
Emergency Rental Assistance (561) 417-0513
SECURE OUR FUTURE
An Initiative to Increase Economic Mobility & Reduce Poverty in Palm Beach County.
The Citizens Advisory Committee on Health & Human Services (CAC/HHS) in partnership with other organizations seeks to create pathways for economic mobility for families with children ages 0-18 who are living below 200% of the federal pove
SECURE OUR FUTURE
An Initiative to Increase Economic Mobility & Reduce Poverty in Palm Beach County.
The Citizens Advisory Committee on Health & Human Services (CAC/HHS) in partnership with other organizations seeks to create pathways for economic mobility for families with children ages 0-18 who are living below 200% of the federal poverty level with a special emphasis on families that are 100% or below FPL & have the ability to work.
http://securingourfuturepbc.org/
Palm Beach County
Community Services
810 Datura Street
West Palm Beach, FL 33401
561-355-4700
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FAMILY SELF-SUFFICIENCY (FSS) PROGRAM
The Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) Program promotes economic self-sufficiency among participating families. This program is specifically for the West Palm Beach Housing Authority current residents of Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) and Public Housing.
Eligible families are connected with the appropriate support services and resources in their communities needed to move the family toward economic self-sufficiency and free of public assistance
Services provided through FSS:
- Credit Counseling
- Job Training & Employment Counseling
- Financial Coaching
- Entrepreneurial Training
- Money Management
- Homeownership Education
(561) 655-8530
Emergency Rental Assistance (561) 417-0513
Emergency Rental Assistance (561) 417-0513
Emergency Rental Assistance (561) 417-0513
To apply for Rental Assistance, you must reside in Palm Beach County.
You will need:
2 forms of ID &
Last 3 months Income Verification
Emergency services income cut off is 110% of the Federal Poverty Level Income Guidelines.
Verification includes:
- Checking and/or savings account statement over the past 3 months
- Property tax bill
- Legal descriptio
To apply for Rental Assistance, you must reside in Palm Beach County.
You will need:
2 forms of ID &
Last 3 months Income Verification
Emergency services income cut off is 110% of the Federal Poverty Level Income Guidelines.
Verification includes:
- Checking and/or savings account statement over the past 3 months
- Property tax bill
- Legal description of property verified by Property Appraiser's Office
Assets must not exceed $2,000 for an individual or $3,000 for a family, excluding homestead property & car.
Under no circumstances will delinquent accounts be paid if listed in a child's name under age 18.
Verification includes:
Current property tax bill
Rent receipts for last 3 months
Current mortgage statement
Local school registration
Other appropriate documents
The process takes 4 to 6 weeks from eligibility determination. Once the applicant completes all the paperwork the social worker can advise of eligibility. If eligible, payments are made directly to the vendor.
Utility Assistance (561) 355-4792
Emergency Rental Assistance (561) 417-0513
Community Services Block Grant Program
Each day in Palm Beach County, hundreds of families are faced with utility service disconnection. The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) and the Low Income Home Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP) are both designed to provide financial relief from high-energy costs to prevent service disconnection for families in crisis.
Ser
Each day in Palm Beach County, hundreds of families are faced with utility service disconnection. The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) and the Low Income Home Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP) are both designed to provide financial relief from high-energy costs to prevent service disconnection for families in crisis.
Services include crisis utility and water payment, home energy assistance, and HVAC system replacement (only for homeowners).
Extensive Outreach Campaigns are conducted to ensure maximum participation of the neediest families. Particular efforts are made to serve the elderly and those with special needs, including home visits and group intakes.
Maximum Benefit Limits:
Crisis - $5,000
Home Energy - $1,350
HVAC Replacement - $15,000
LIHWAP - $1,000
Applicants can submit their application online at:
https://discover.pbcgov.org/communityservices/communityaction/Pages/Utility-Assistance.aspx
or
Send an email at this link:
https://survey.pbcgov.com/s3/CSD-CommunityAction-ContactUs
Or contact the Call Center to make an appointment:
(561) 355-4792
Community Services Block Grant Program
Emergency Rental Assistance (561) 417-0513
Community Services Block Grant Program
The Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) program operates under six national goals that focus on helping individuals and families to become self-sufficient, increasing agency collaboration and promoting community enhancement.
Community Action’s mission is to provide opportunities to the poor by combining, organizing and adjusting the ava
The Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) program operates under six national goals that focus on helping individuals and families to become self-sufficient, increasing agency collaboration and promoting community enhancement.
Community Action’s mission is to provide opportunities to the poor by combining, organizing and adjusting the available resources so that programs are tailored to the genuine needs of low-income people and communities.
Services may include:
- Tax Assistance
- Employment Support
- Housing Assistance
- Access to Food & Nutrition
- Utility Assistance (Gas and Water)
(CSBG) 125% of the Poverty Income Guidelines
People in the household
1 $15,075
2 $20,300
3 $25,525
4 $30,750
5 $35,975
6 $41,200
7 $46,425
8 $51,650
For each person more than 8 people, add: $5,225
CSBG Service Center
810 Datura Street
West Palm Beach, FL 33401
(833) 273-9455
211 # or call (561) 383-1112
211 # or call (561) 383-1112
2-1-1 receives requests to help find housing, shelters, and financial assistance for housing expenses and makes connections to resources related to preventing homelessness and housing insecurity.
Your local 211 is the best resource for help finding options to pay your rent, mortgage, or utilities bills and stay in your home.
You can c
2-1-1 receives requests to help find housing, shelters, and financial assistance for housing expenses and makes connections to resources related to preventing homelessness and housing insecurity.
Your local 211 is the best resource for help finding options to pay your rent, mortgage, or utilities bills and stay in your home.
You can call 211 to speak with someone immediately. Be ready to answer a few questions about your current living situation, any income you have, and any children or other dependents who live with you.
This is a link to 211 website:
Palm Beach County 211
(561) 383-1112
PBC Community Action Program
211 # or call (561) 383-1112
Community Action Partnership is a national, 501(c)3 nonprofit membership organization that provides technical assistance, training, tools and resources to empower individuals, families, and communities to succeed. They allocate funding to connect Americans to greater opportunity and promote workable solutions that changes people’s lives
Community Action Partnership is a national, 501(c)3 nonprofit membership organization that provides technical assistance, training, tools and resources to empower individuals, families, and communities to succeed. They allocate funding to connect Americans to greater opportunity and promote workable solutions that changes people’s lives, embodies the spirit of hope,
improves communities, and makes America a better place to live for everyone. Community Action cares about the entire community, and they are dedicated to helping people help themselves and each other.
The Community Action program comes out of President Lyndon B. Johnson’s War on Poverty and from the advocacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The Economic Opportunity Act of 1964 created the Community Action Network of national and locally-focused organizations that connect millions of children and families to greater opportunity.
Contact: Info:
Director: Hong Truong
Phone: (561) 355-4792
Email: htruong@pbcgov.org
810 Datura Street
West Palm Beach, FL 33401
Benefit Finder
Review & Apply for Benefits
There are several state & federal benefits available to help you with housing, utilities, food, & medical expenses.
You can start here by using the Benefit Finder at this website:
https://www.benefits.gov/benefit-finder
Simply answer a few questions and you'll receive information about benefits you may be eligibl
Review & Apply for Benefits
There are several state & federal benefits available to help you with housing, utilities, food, & medical expenses.
You can start here by using the Benefit Finder at this website:
https://www.benefits.gov/benefit-finder
Simply answer a few questions and you'll receive information about benefits you may be eligible for.
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THIS FUNDING HELPS PEOPLE WHO ARE STRUGGLING TO FIND A PLACE THEY CAN AFFORD TO LIVE, INCLUDING PEOPLE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS.
April 14, 2023
HUD announced the availability of $30.3 billion for the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Program for 2023. This will help Public Housing Authorities address recent inflation in rents & enable more low-income families to use housing vouchers to afford a safe, decent place to call home.
The housing choice voucher (HCV) program is the federal government's primary program for assisting very low-income families, the elderly, & persons with disabilities to afford decent, safe, & sanitary housing in the private market. Since housing assistance is provided on behalf of the HCV tenant, participants are able to find their own housing, including single-family homes, townhouses & apartments. Housing choice vouchers are administered locally by public housing agencies (PHAs) that receive federal funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to administer the HCV program. This means that the tenant, landlord and PHA all have obligations and responsibilities under the HCV program.
Link to Resources:
https://www.hud.gov/topics/housing_choice_voucher_program_section_8
Community Food Bank
There are many local businesses who accept food donations and use them to fight hunger here in Palm Beach County. Follow the link below to find the various food banks to help residents in need.
https://pbcgov.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=5bf05ce72b3142d7a3d990acc5b14ba1
Community Connections
Our community is full of people who want to help. We work to help the people providing services with the people who need them. Come connect with people in new ways. Click the links below to learn more about Volunteer Opportunities.
https://discover.pbcgov.org/Pages/Volunteer.aspx
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1st Satu
Our community is full of people who want to help. We work to help the people providing services with the people who need them. Come connect with people in new ways. Click the links below to learn more about Volunteer Opportunities.
https://discover.pbcgov.org/Pages/Volunteer.aspx
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1st Saturday Serve
The first Saturday of every month we partner with Journey Church who mobilizes teams of volunteers to make a real difference in Palm Beach County. Join us and see what can be accomplished when you get an impassioned team to focus on change.
https://gojourneychurch.churchcenter.com/registrations/events/category/1842
https://www.gojourneychurch.com/outreach-ministry/outreach
NEW CONDO LAW EXPLAINED
This new law affects everyone but could be especially hard for retirees who live on fixed incomes.
SB 4D requires new structural inspections & more money set aside to make potential repairs on condominiums to make buildings safer. The bill eliminates condo
This new law affects everyone but could be especially hard for retirees who live on fixed incomes.
SB 4D requires new structural inspections & more money set aside to make potential repairs on condominiums to make buildings safer. The bill eliminates condo & homeowners’ associations’ ability to waive the funding of their reserves. They now have until Jan. 1, 2025 to FULLY FUND their reserves.
HIGHLIGHTS:
These new condominium requirements are part of both the Florida Statutes 553 for Building Construction Standard as well as Florida Statutes 718 & 719 regulating Florida Condominiums, HOAs, & Cooperative Associations.
The law pertains to all condominiums & co-ops 3-stories or higher. They require mandatory building inspections, structural reserve studies every 10 years, & spells out how reserve budgets are to be calculated & funded.
These new requirements put additional inspection burdens on associations, the board of directors and their management, as well as impacting owners since the costs of these inspections and subsequent reserve requirements fall exclusively to the owners.
ALL CONDOS & COOPS 3-STORIES & HIGHER MUST:
1. Complete a “Milestone Inspection” at 30 years, & every 10 years after. Due December 31, 2024, for all condos existing before 1992.
2. Complete a “Structural Integrity Reserve Study (SIRS)” completed no later than December 31, 2024, and every 10 years after
3. Fully fund Reserves for those items listed in the SIRS.
Owners will pay for this as either part of the maintenance payment, or if sufficient funds aren’t available through a Special Assessment.
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WHAT IS A MILESTONE INSPECTION?
[Section 553.899 of the Florida Statutes]
It is a structural inspection conducted by Florida Licensed Architect or Engineer as it affects safety and adequacy of the building(s).
“Milestone inspection” means a structural inspection of a building, including an inspection of loadbearing walls and the primary structural members and primary structural systems as those terms are defined in s. 627.706, by a licensed architect or engineer authorized to practice in this state for the purposes of attesting to the life safety and adequacy of the structural components of the building and, to the extent reasonably possible, determining the general structural condition of the building as it affects the safety of such building, including a determination of any necessary maintenance, repair, or replacement of any structural component of the building. The purpose of such inspection is not to determine if the condition of an existing building is in compliance with the Florida Building Code or the fire safety code.
The term “substantial structural deterioration” means substantial structural distress that negatively affects a building’s general structural condition and integrity.
The State defines “substantial structural deterioration” as: “
..substantial structural distress that negatively affects a building’s general structural condition and integrity. The term does not include surface imperfections such as cracks, distortion, sagging, deflections, misalignment, signs of leakage, or peeling of finishes unless the licensed engineer or architect performing the phase one or phase two inspection determines that such surface imperfections are a sign of substantial structural deterioration.”
The Milestone Inspection has two Phases.
During Phase 1 an architect/engineer performs a visual examination of habitable and non-habitable areas of a building, including the major structural components. They provide an assessment of the structural conditions of the building to the association. If the architect or engineer finds no signs of substantial structural deterioration, then the inspection is complete.
However, if there is substantial structural deterioration, the Phase 2 inspection may involve destructive or nondestructive testing at the inspector’s direction. The inspection may be as extensive or as limited as necessary to fully assess areas of structural distress in order to confirm that the building is structurally sound and safe for its intended use and to recommend a program for fully assessing and repairing distressed and damaged portions of the building.
The results of the Phase 2 inspection must be delivered to not only the association but disseminated to all owners and provided to the local governments which have jurisdiction. Local city and county governments are permitted to prescribe timelines and penalties with respect to compliance, as well as adopt an ordinance requiring that a condominium or cooperative association schedule or commence repairs for substantial structural deterioration within a specified timeframe. Regardless, repairs must begin with 1 year of the report.
It must also be posted on the association’s website, if they are required to have one per Florida Statute.
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WHAT ELEMENTS ARE INSPECTED IN THE MILESTONE INSPECTION?
The following is a basic list and may/may not apply to all buildings:
• Roofs
• Structure, including load-bearing walls and primary structural members and primary structural systems
• Fireproofing and fire protection systems
• Elevators
• Heating and cooling systems
• Plumbing
• Electrical systems
• Swimming pool or spa and equipment
• Seawalls
• Pavement and parking areas
• Drainage systems
• Painting
• Irrigation systems
• Waterproofing
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WHAT IS A STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY RESERVE STUDY (SIRS)?
A study of the reserve funds required for future major repairs and replacement of the common areas based on a visual inspection of the common areas. At a minimum, a structural integrity reserve study must:
• identify the common areas being visually inspected
• state the estimated remaining useful life and the estimated replacement cost or deferred maintenance expense of the common areas being visually inspected, and
• provide a recommended annual reserve amount that achieves the estimated replacement cost or deferred maintenance expense of each common area being visually inspected by the end of the estimated remaining useful life of each common area.
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WHAT ELEMENTS ARE INCLUDED IN THE SIRS?
At a minimum, a study (performed by a licensed engineer or architect) of the following items as related to the structural integrity and safety of the building:
A. Roofs
B. Load-bearing walls or other primary structural members
C. Floors
D. Foundations
E. Fireproofing and fire protection systems
F. Plumbing
G. Electrical systems
H. Waterproofing and exterior painting
I. Windows
J. Any other item that has a deferred maintenance expense or replacement cost that exceeds $10,000 and the failure to replace or maintain such item negatively affects the items listed in subparagraphs a.-i.
For bullet-j above, this would certainly include Seawalls which is included in the Milestone Inspection. Curiously thought, Pavement and Parking Areas are not included on the minimum elements of SIRS but are specifically mentioned in the statute for the Milestone Inspection.
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HOW DOES THE SIRS IMPACT RESERVE FUNDING AND OWNER COSTS?
As of December 31, 2024 (so for the 2025 budget year), members of a unit-owner controlled association may not determine to provide no reserves or less reserves than required. Transaction…associations must fully-fund their reserve requirements for the items listed above a through j.
Many association members have voted to waive full reserve funding and only partially fund reserves in their annual budgets. This can be as low as 3%. Large associations with many common elements, with large land areas, with seawalls, or many buildings may be affected the most financially.
How and when these reserve funds must be paid and available is where there is a gray area in the statute. So, it’s not possible at this time to say how much condo owners can expect their maintenance fees can increase, but they certainly will. Each line item on the reserve study has a useful life, and the calculation on what makes full funding for each of these items must be calculated separately. High-cost items with a short useful life will have the most impact.
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WHAT CAN I DO AS A CONDO OWNER?
Talk to your association board of directors or property management about what they plan on doing to comply with these statutes.
Get involved in your associations budget planning committee to voice your position.
Write your elected state representative to voice your concerns and objections to the revised statutes.
But most importantly, start planning for a way to pay for the increased monthly cost in maintaining your condo in Florida. Because even if the legislature revises the ability for members to waive fully funded reserves, they will most likely require at least a minimum near 50% or greater.
Great article summarizing SB 4D: