Family Assistance Program
The Family Assistance Program provides financial assistance and grants to families to help them meet basic needs when their income does not meet state standards. It focuses on families with a dependent child under age 18 or age 19 if the student is a full time student in a secondary school, such as a vocational school or taking technical training.
Phone (Local): (205) 562-6100
Phone (General): (334) 242-1773 or (334) 242-1950
Email: Tuscaloosa@dhr.alabama.gov or dhr_fad@dhr.alabama.gov
Location: 3716 12th Avenue, E. Tuscaloosa, AL 35405
Website: www.dhr.alabama.gov/family-assistance
Temporary Cash Assistance
Temporary Cash Assistance can be provided through the Family Assistance Program. This program provides temporary cash assistance for basic needs for low income families with children under age 18 or age 19 if s/he is a full time student in a secondary school or in the equivalent level of vocational or technical training. Assistance is issued on Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards.
Phone: (205) 562-6100 or (334) 242-1950
Website: www.benefits.gov/benefit/1648
Cahaba Medical Center Clothing Closet
The Cahaba Medical Center Clothing Closet provides clothes for individuals of all ages in need of assistance. Call the social work office (number listed below) for more information.
Phone: (205) 926-2992
Website: www.cahabamedicalcare.com/community-center
Location: 195 Hospital Drive, Centreville, AL 35042
Hours of Operation: Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8:30 AM – 12:30 PM
Social Work Office Hours: 8 AM – 5 PM Monday-Friday
Salvation Army
The Salvation Army offers various types of assistance including a thrift store containing many household needs (e.g., clothes, furniture, toys, books, and houseware items). They also run the Angel Tree Program which helps families in need provide gifts for children during the holidays. The Salvation Army is sometimes able to provide assistance for essential needs including electric, gas, rent, and water service payments.
Phone: (205) 331-0113 or (205) 632-3691
Location: 3400 McFarland Blvd., Suite 1 Northport, AL 35473
West Alabama Food Bank
The West Alabama Food Bank provides a variety of services to those in need in throughout West Alabama. They also help connect families with city, county, and state service and programs.
Call 211 or (888) 421-1266 for more information and to be connected with someone who can help access the following types of resources:
Basic Needs
- Food banks
- Clothing
- Shelters & housing
- Rent assistance
- Utility assistance
Support for Elderly Persons & Disabled Persons
- Adult day care
- Congregate meals
- Meals on Wheels
- Respite care
- Home health care
- Transportation
- Homemaker services
Health & Mental Health Services
- Health insurance
- Maternal health
- Medical information
- Crisis intervention
- Support groups
- Counseling
- Substance intervention and rehab
Support for Children, Youth, and Families
- Child care
- After-school programs
- Head Start programs
- Family resource centers
- Summer camps
- Recreation programs
- Mentoring
- Tutoring
- Protective services
Employment Services
- Financial assistance
- Job training
- Transportation assistance
- Education programs
Temporary Emergency Services
Temporary Emergency Services, Inc. helps families seeking assistance in numerous ways, often by connecting them with the right community resources. TES will help determine whether you qualify for assistance with daily necessities at this time and/or for emergency assistance in crisis situations. Families seeking assistance might require a referral.
Phone: (205) 758-5535 or (205) 345-7330
Location: 1705 15th Street Tuscaloosa, AL 35401
Their services and items can include:
- Baby items, including formula and diapers
- Food while waiting for Food Stamp approval
- Clothing
- Emergency dental care
- Fans
- Support for victims of fires
- Fresh fruits and vegetables
- Showers
- Washer/dryer use
- Publix Employee Assistance (United Way)
- Raised garden seeds and plants
- Household cleaning products
- Assistance with toys for Christmas
- Heaters & blankets
- Household items, including furniture
- Personal hygiene products and toiletries
- Utilities, including power, water, and gas
- Rent, shelter, and/or storage fees
- Life-supporting prescription medications
- Flood and storm relief
- Identification, birth certification, and notary services
- School supplies for students
- City Bus tokens
Community Service Programs of West Alabama
Community Service Programs of West Alabama, Inc. (CSP) offers various assistance programs, particularly rent, mortgage, and eviction prevention, that are listed below by utilizing internal resources, programs offered by banks and lenders, credit card hardship programs, and other resources to help families. They can also choose to refer families to other community agencies for additional support and resources.
- Pre- and post-purchase counseling
- Rental counseling and grants
- Help with mortgage default and foreclosure prevention
- Home improvement, rehabilitation, and maintenance including energy conservation efforts and weatherization
- Counseling to homeless individuals and families
- Budget and debt management programs
- Help with credit card debt
- Food vouchers
- Heating, cooling, and utility bill assistance
Phone: (205) 752-5429
Location: 601 17th Street Tuscaloosa, AL 35401
Catholic Family Services
Catholic Family Services (CFS) provides food and financial assistance to families in need. The CFS makes decisions on financial assistance on Thursday of each week and will call those approved for assistance by 5:00 PM that day. Those who qualify will receive their assistance on Monday of the following week. Those who are approved for food assistance will be given an appointment to receive their assistance the day after they are approved. To apply for Food and Financial Assistance please call (205) 759-1268 for a phone interview. These are held during the following times each week:
Monday – 9:30-11:30 and 1:30-3:30
Tuesday – 9:30-11:30 and 1:30-3:30
Wednesday – 9:30-11:30 and 1:30-3:30
For all other inquiries, CFS can be reached Monday – Thursday from 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM at (205) 759-1926 or via email at CSSInfo@csstuscaloosa.org. Some of the other resources offered by the Catholic Family Services include:
- Financial assistance
- Food pantry
- Medical assistance
- Prescription assistance
- Household items
- Traveler’s aid
- Photo ID
- Diapers, baby food, formula
Location: 608 James I Harrison Jr Pkwy East Tuscaloosa, AL 35405
Christ Episcopal Church
Christ Episcopal Church has limited funds for necessities such as water, gas, and power bills. These are available only on Mondays and often only the first several people to arrive and are qualified will receive aid. People are only eligible for help at most once every 6 months. Contact Christ Episcopal Church to apply for assistance via the following contact information:
Phone: (205) 758-4252
Location: 605 Lurleen Wallace Boulevard Tuscaloosa, AL 35401
First Wesleyan Church
First Wesleyan Church offers various meal programs.
Phone: (205) 752-4251
Canterbury Episcopal Chapel
Canterbury Episcopal Chapel helps the homeless and very low income with food and other aid.
Phone: (205) 345-9590
Love, INC. Ministries
Love, INC. organization is over the ministries listed below and should be contacted if you are interested in applying for assistance through any of those listed below using the contact information below. Those who qualify for assistance will be connected with local resources, such as churches, non-profit agencies, or other organizations. Love, INC. can also make referrals to government programs such as SNAP food stamps, LIHEAP cash benefits, and low income housing (Section 8 vouchers). The application process includes an intake and assessment and documentation/verification of need. Because churches have limited resources, those who receive assistance might also be required to go through case management and to follow up with the local church ministry and related organizations. Individuals and families receiving assistance through these organizations also receive:
- Mentoring
- Case Management Services
- Free Classes
- Childcare for Working Parents
- A Free Meal Once a Week
- Money Management Workshops
Phone: (205) 614-2849
Email: cathy.csellersloveinctuscaloosa@gmail.com
Website: www.loveinctuscaloosa.com
Location: 3101 Main Ave. Suite A. Northport, AL 35476
Some specific Love, INC. ministries include:
The GAP Ministries, which provides many basic needs and services such as:
- Food, clothing, and basic needs such as baby supplies, work clothes, free food, hygiene products, shoes, and school supplies.
- Repairs and maintenance work for homes and transportation
- Free meals and gifts for children during the holiday season
- Household goods such as kitchen supplies, paper & disposable goods, beds, furniture, and mattresses.
- Referrals to organizations that offer financial aid such as one time assistance with rent or utility bills.
The Resale Boutique sells gently used items to the general public and provides vouchers for individuals and families in need to shop at the boutique.
Location: 3201 Main Avenue, Northport, AL 35476
Hours of Operation: Tuesday – Friday 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM and Saturday 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM
Love, INC. also operates another thrift store that sells gently used clothing, bikes, shoes for children, furniture, and much more. It is located at 3500 Northbrook Drive Northport, AL 35473.
Packed With Love, which provides meals and groceries to households with young children from low income families who qualify for the Free and Reduced Price Meal program at school. Packed with Love provides child-friendly, nutritious food during the weekend, summer months, and holidays when school cafeteria meals are unavailable.
Homeless Connect is an annual event that seeks to meet the needs of the homeless in Tuscaloosa. This event provides opportunities for our homeless neighbors to receive housing information, medical, dental, and eye care, legal advice, identification, birth certificate, clothing, employment opportunities, vaccinations, haircuts, hygiene products, STD and HIV testing, and more. In addition to meeting their immediate needs, Love INC and partners are able to build relationships and connect with attendees so we can follow up and assist on an ongoing basis.