The Grace Center

Emergency Financial Assistance Program

The Grace Center’s Emergency Financial Assistance Program is designed to help individuals and families facing unforeseen, short-term financial emergencies that threaten housing stability or access to basic needs. This program serves as a preventative measure against homelessness by assisting households during a documented financial crisis.

This program is intended to address short-term, unforeseen financial crises and is not designed to provide ongoing or long-term assistance.

Service Area & Eligibility

Emergency Financial Assistance is available to eligible individuals and families who reside in the following counties in Southern Oklahoma:

• Carter County

• Johnston County

• Love County

• Marshall County

• Murray County

All assistance is subject to eligibility, documentation requirements, and available funding.

Types of Assistance Available

The Grace Center may provide emergency assistance for the following needs:

• Rental Assistance

• Utility Assistance (water, electric, or natural gas)

• Prescription Assistance (for uninsured or underinsured individuals)

• Eyeglass Assistance (for uninsured or underinsured individuals)

• Identification Assistance

The Grace Center does NOT provide assistance with:

• Hotel or motel stays

• Mortgage payments

• Car payments or repairs

• Home repairs

• Cell phone or home phone service

• Cable or internet

• Similar non-essential expenses

Assistance is limited to one bill or service per application.

General Program Requirements

• Financial assistance is intended for unforeseen emergencies only.

• Applications are reviewed based on eligibility, documentation, and available funding.

• The Grace Center may approve assistance for less than the amount requested.

• The Grace Center is considered the last payer on a bill when other assistance or pledges are available.

• Applicants must be able to provide documentation of the unforeseen financial crisis that led them to seek assistance and demonstrate that they were unable to pay the expense for which assistance is requested.

Required Documentation (All Applications)

Applications will not be reviewed or considered until all required documentation is received.

All applicants must submit:

• A valid photo ID for the applicant

• Proof of income for all adult household members (most recent 30 days)

• Documentation of the financial crisis that threatened housing stability will be required

• Any additional documentation requested to verify eligibility

Additional Requirements by Assistance Type

Rental Assistance

• A current late notice or eviction notice

• Notice and lease or rental agreement must be in the applicant’s name

Utility Assistance

• A current cut-off notice or payment arrangement due within 10 days

• The utility bill must be in the applicant’s name

Prescription & Eyeglass Assistance

• Assistance is available for uninsured or underinsured individuals only

• A current prescription or written estimate is required

• Assistance for narcotic or controlled medications is not provided

Payment Process

If assistance is approved:

• Payments are made directly to the landlord, utility company, or service provider

• The Grace Center may first place a pledge or promise to pay on the account

• Pledges may not immediately reflect on utility account balances

Budgeting Requirement

If assistance is approved, clients are required to complete a budgeting worksheet in person with Grace Center staff.
Bills will not be paid until the budgeting worksheet has been completed.

How to Apply for Emergency Financial Assistance

1. Complete the Emergency Financial Assistance Application
(Applications must be completed in person at The Grace Center during regular business hours)

2. Submit Required Documentation
(All required documents must be submitted before your application can be reviewed.
📧 Please email all documents to: info@ardmoregracecenter.com)

3. Application Review & Appointment Scheduling
Applications are reviewed only after all required documentation has been received.
If assistance is approved, a staff member will contact you by phone to schedule an appointment.

Please Note:
Submitting an application or documents does not guarantee approval. Assistance is provided based on eligibility guidelines, documentation of financial crisis, and available funding.