Get Help, Here’s How

When the bills feel heavier than your paycheck, you do not have to carry it alone. This is a place where faith meets real financial help. Take a breath and begin here.

1. BEFORE your visit

  • 785-776-1470

    Usually we are booked up 2 weeks out, make sure you call ahead. When you call you will be asked to bring specific documents; your ID, a bill/lease, and paperwork showing household income.

  • A picture ID is required, for proof of identity. If you bring a photocopy of your ID, please make sure it’s clear.

  • A photocopy of the bill or the lease is fine, but make sure it’s legible. Paperwork will be scanned and then returned to you. If you do not have paper copies, we will ask you to print them out at the library and come back. You may end up having to reschedule your appointment, so get this ready ahead of time.

  • Any income refers to current supplemental income, SNAP letter, disability income, and/or a paystub. IF you have trouble acquiring any of these, please call us ahead of time so we can advise you so you don’t miss your appointment.

2. AT your Visit

  • Please try to come 10 min early if possible.

    If you are going to be late, please call! We can usually still see you or we can reschedule.

    If you cannot come in for any reason, please call.

    If we do not receive a phone call, you will be unable to make an appointment for assistance for 30 days.

  • If it’s your first time at SC basic demographics will be run through for in-processing. Takes about 5 minutes. You’ll share documents; ID, bills/lease, paystubs, any household income, to be scanned. Then you’ll sign a waiver allowing SC to call businesses (Evergy, Kansas Gas, etc) on your behalf. If documents are in order, this is much faster.

    If you are missing documents, we will ask you to make copies at the library across the street. We will not be able to move forward with financial assistance until proper documents are presented.

  • When you meet with one of the trained volunteer counselors, you will go over a financial budget and discuss what help you need. We often have additional resources to help you. Although financial assistance is once every 4 months, we have access to other programs from glasses to medical bill assistance. The more of your story you are able to share, the better we can help. We have a commitment of confidentiality..

  • We sign a contract (pink sheet) pledging to pay a specified portion of the bill or all of it depending on the circumstances. Sometimes a commitment is made from partner agencies, Catholic Charities and Salvation Army or MESI.

    We do not give cash to anyone. We only pay the billing company directly. Once you have the pink sheet, the process of getting help at partner agencies is usually expedited.

Who is eligible?

  • Residents of Riley County, Manhattan & St. George, for at lease six months.

  • Financial assistance for rent or utilities is once every 4 months.

  • K-State students are referred to the university. We love K-State! The reason for this exception is because KSU has more financial resources available.

  • Active Duty please call 785-239-9435. The reason for this exception is because they have more financial resources. Thank you for your service!

  • If you’re not sure, just ask! Even if you have been here recently, we may have recommendations.

  • Call us at 785-776-1470 to make an appointment

FAQs

  • We will ask that you go to the library, across the street, to print the necessary documents. Come early to your appointment to get a voucher from us to print out bills, pay stubs, etc. You will take this to the second floor librarian for printing.

    We are mostly run by volunteers, so if your appointment is at the end of the day you may have to reschedule, but we will do our best to still see you. Depending on the time of year, rescheduling could be two days or almost three weeks.

  • That’s ok.

  • That’s ok. Let us know when you call to make an appointment.

  • We have assisted BeAble in this process and now refer clients to them. They recently received a grant for this purpose.

  • The Fairy Godmother grant is once every 3 years. If you are using it for a car repair, call us first. We prefer to work through Burnett Automotive. You must have a current driver’s license, current registration and car insurance. If this is for a medical procedure (dental work for example) bring in a copy of the estimate from the provider. We now only work with Konza Dental.

  • The Guardian grant is once a year. If you are using it for a car repair, call us first. We prefer to work through Burnett Automotive. You must have a current driver’s license, current registration and car insurance. If this is for a medical procedure (dental work for example) bring in a copy of the estimate from the provider. We now only work with Konza Dental.

  • Yes! We have more options to help you. Bus Passes can be done on a monthly basis. If you recently had help with a bill, that does not disqualify you from getting help from a grant program. We understand that when it rains it pours. We want to help lift the burden.

  • That’s ok, we realize schedules change. Sometimes it works for people to come in early, or we can reschedule your appointment. We definitely want to help you, so call us.

    “No-shows” that do not call in, will not be able to make a new appointment for 30 days.

  • We write checks once a week. The utility companies and landlords are familiar with SC and note it on your account when we pledge to help pay for a bill. Double-check your pink sheet from the counselor to make sure you finished your objectives. If you are concerned, you can call us to check on the status of your contract.