Community Action Helps People Keep their Earned Income

Martha called the Pickaway County Community Action Organization (PICCA) for an appointment with their tax clinic with an unusual story. It was November and she had not yet filed her previous year’s tax forms. She believed she owed taxes and had requested an extension before the April 15 deadline. Being elderly and, in her own words, “slightly forgetful,” she forgot to file her taxes within the time allotted for an extension. Having recently moved to Pickaway County, Martha was having trouble keeping up with her rent and utilities. When she realized in November she hadn’t filed her taxes, she feared she would lose her house because of the money she owed and called PICCA for help.

Homeless Veteran Finds a Home and a New Family

In January 2011, the Ohio State Highway Patrol picked up a man they found walking on State Route 23 just south of South Bloomfield and took him to the Circleville Police Department. Because the man was a homeless veteran, the CPD contacted Joe, Pickaway County Community Action's (PICCA) transitional housing manager.

Weatherization Makes House a Home

Unable to work due to health issues, Debbie and her 12 year old daughter had been living with her father. But when her father kicked them out after an argument Debbie was unsure where her and her daughter would live. She looked into getting an apartment and working with HUD, but the wait for HUD assistance can be as much as two years and with being on Social Security with a limited income Debbie could not afford an apartment. She did have a trailer, but it was in such disrepair it was uninhabitable.