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.

Emergency financial assistance is not ongoing support and is intended for emergencies only.

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/motel stays, mortgage payments, car payments, car repairs, home repairs, cell phone or home phone service, cable, internet, or similar expenses.
Assistance is limited to one bill or service per application.

General Program Requirements

• Financial assistance is intended for unforeseen emergencies only.

• Submitting an application does not guarantee assistance.

• 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)

• Bank statements (most recent 30 days)

• Documentation of the financial crisis may be required to verify eligibility

• 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

1. Complete the Emergency Financial Assistance Application online

2. Submit all required documents to:
   📧 info@ardmoregracecenter.com

3. Applications are reviewed once all documentation is received