Do you need help paying your utility and other bills?

To Learn about the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program click here
or in Pasco County call: (352)567-0533 or (727)845-7350.

Also, check out the Pasco County Human Services website or call them at (727)834-3297 or (352)521-5173.

They provide assistance with:

*Limited payments toward past due rent

*Limited payments for past due utility bills (electricity, water, propane)

*Burial services for residents who have no insurance benefits or other means by which to pay for services

*Information and Referrals on available community resources
Emergency Home Energy Assistance for the Elderly Program – This program assists residents 60 years of age and older, twice a year, with past due utility bills. Funding is through the Area Agency on Aging of Pasco-Pinellas, Inc.

*Assistance with prescription drugs, up to the established amounts, when ordered by a physician (Human Services does not provide psychotropic and/or habit forming medications.)

*Dental Services are restricted to simple extractions

*Out-Patient Services

*Physicians office visits

*Laboratory and x-rays, when ordered by physician

Remember to call 211 if you need referrals to other social service agencies.

The Pasco County Health Department is giving seasonal flu shots.
Flu Shots will cost $25 payable by cash or check. With proof, Medicare clients will be given their shot for free and their insurance will be billed. For Medicare HMO and all other insurance there will be a $25 charge. Receipts will be given to file with insurance companies.

Shots will be given at these locations:

•Dade City Clinic, 13941 15th St., (352) 521-1450. Appointments are advised. Walk-ins are accepted from 7:30 a.m. to noon Thursday

•Hudson Clinic, 11511 Denton Ave. (727) 861-5661. Shots are by appointment only.

•Land O' Lakes Clinic, 4135 Land O' Lakes Blvd., (813) 558-5173. Walk-ins are accepted from 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday and Tuesday and 7:30 to 10 a.m. Friday

•New Port Richey Clinic, 10841 Little Road, (727) 861-5260, ext. 268. Shots are by appointment only.

•Zephyrhills Clinic, 4717 Airport Road, (813) 780-0740. Walk-ins are accepted from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday. Wednesday is recommended. Appointments can be made.

These shots do not prevent swine flu. For more information on the H1N1 Swine Flu call 877-352-3581 between 8 AM to 8 PM, 7 days a week. Information is available in English, Spanish and Creole.

Click here for H1N1 Flue (Swine Flu): Resources for the deaf and hard of hearing.

Pasco County students return to school on August 24th.

Here's some information that will make that transition a little easier:

• Are your child's immunizations up-to-date? You can get free immunizations at the health department or call 727-861-5250 to find the health department location near you.
• Need help with school supplies? Several churches and other organizations are providing free clothes, school supplies and more. Call 211 to find out where.
• All the information you need to register your child for school and for after school care http://www.pasco.k12.fl.us/back_to_school/
  
• Hey where's the bus stop! Click on http://trans.pasco.k12.fl.us/bus/bus_info.html or call (813) 794-0400, (352) 524-0400, (727) 774-0400
• The2009-2010 school year calendar
  
• Here's a list of school start and end times

Managing money wisely is a challenge for many of us. In times like now, we are trying to stretch that dollar just a little further. The Federal government has released a toolkit that will help you with saving, investing, protecting, and getting the most for your money. You can request the toolkit using this online form or by calling 1 (888) 696 – 6639, between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. eastern time (except Federal holidays). Supplies are limited, so order soon.

The tool kit contains the following publications. If you click on the links below you can read these publications now!

Jim Martin, Office of Emergency Management

(727) 847-8137

Flooding in the neighborhood is approximately in a 10-block radius ranging from the intersection of Zimmerman and Ranch roads. A half a dozen residents have been directed to the shelter and no injuries have been reported. Water has surrounded a number of homes and is standing in some residences. Some streets are flooded and residents are advised not to drive through standing water. The National Weather Service has issued a Flood Warning for the entire Tampa Bay Area until 11:45 a.m.

Pasco County Fire Rescue is one of a number of agencies on scene. Fire-Rescue personnel are going home-to-home in order assist citizens and access any further property damage.

For further information, please contact the Pasco County Office of Emergency Management at 727-847-8137. Or you can visit our website at www.pascoemergencymanagement.com.

Would you like to reduce your monthly mortgage payment?

The Home Affordable Refinance Program gives up to 4 to 5 million homeowners with loans owned or guaranteed by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac an opportunity to refinance into more affordable monthly payments. The Home Affordable Modification Program commits $75 billion to keep up to 3 to 4 million Americans in their homes by preventing avoidable foreclosures.

To find out if you are eligible go to www.makinghomeaffordable.gov
You may be eligible for refinancing of your home at a lower interest rate or you may qualify for a loan modification to make your monthly mortgage payment more affordable.

Beware of foreclosure rescue scams-help is free.

Other helpful websites:
Financialstability.gov