Outreach & Temporary Assistance

By providing temporary assistance with food, water and shelter, Palmetto CAP’s Outreach department provides vital services to address citizens’ most basic needs.  Being able to meet basic needs is the foundation of financial stability.  A family cannot earnestly pursue the empowerment goals needed to lift them out of poverty until these needs are met.

Water Bill Assistance

Customers of Charleston Water Systems can receive assistance with payment for water services once per calendar year through the Good Neighbor program.  Service must be in ‘disconnect’ status (though not yet disconnected) with a past due balance.  A delinquent bill in the applicant’s name must be presented during the appointment to apply for assistance.  The applicant must be a CWS customer.  To schedule an appointment to apply, call 1-844-769-6448 or click here.  Appointments are limited and schedule on a first-come, first-served basis.

Utility Bill Assistance

Utility assistance is provided through the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP – Find out more here), Dominion Energy’s EnergyShare program.  Program eligibility requirements vary slightly.  Utility assistance is scheduled by appointment only.  Appointments can be obtained by calling 1-844-769-6448 or visiting the Schedule An Appointment page.  Appointments are limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis.

General Emergency Assistance Program (GEAP)

Palmetto CAP’s General Emergency Assistance Program (or GEAP) provides financial assistance to households who have encountered an unexpected financial hardship.  Service include assistance with rent, prescription medication, protection from violence, disaster relief, food and more.  Assistance is provided one time a year.  Applicants must be able to present documentation of an emergency within the past 30 days and have sustainable monthly income.  Those in need of assistance are asked to schedule a convenient time for GEAP case managers to conduct a thorough screening for program eligibility using our website or toll-free hotline.  

To schedule a pre-screening call, please dial 1-844-769-6448 or click here.  Charleston residents are asked to check for available screening times on Tuesdays. Dorchester and Berkeley residents are asked to check on Thursdays.

To Be Eligible All Clients Must:

• Be residents of Berkeley, Charleston, or Dorchester county
• Meet federal income guidelines
• Present a state-issued picture ID with current address for applicant
• Present a legible social security cards for all household members
• Present total income for all household members within the past 30 days prior to application
• Proof of sustainable monthly income
• Delinquent bill for past 30 days prior to application date
• Eviction notice (if one has been served)
• Provide documentation of an emergency that affected income for all household members within the past 30 days of application date
• Verification of emergency

Energy Conservation Education

The Outreach department provides tips on home energy efficiency to all program participants receiving utility assistance.  Community education is also offered through the Energize Your Home workshops.  These workshops can be presented to your community group free of charge by request.

**All services are provided based on the program calendar and as funding allows.**