Frequently Asked elgibilty Questions

  • AJFC Community Action Agency, Inc. provides programs and services that support individuals and families in reaching stability and self-sufficiency. Services may include utility assistance through LIHEAP, CSBG emergency and supportive services, housing support, case management, educational assistance, employment support, referrals, youth and family development programs, and community partnerships.

    Services are based on program guidelines, eligibility, documentation, and availability of funds.

  • AJFC proudly serves seven counties in Southwest Mississippi:

    • Adams County

    • Jefferson County

    • Franklin County

    • Claiborne County

    • Copiah County

    • Lincoln County

    • Lawrence County

  • Eligibility depends on the program, household income, household size, residency, need, and funding requirements. Most AJFC programs serve low-income or moderate-income individuals and families who live within AJFC’s service area.

    Applicants must provide required documentation before eligibility can be determined.

  • Clients must schedule an appointment using AJFC’s automatic scheduling system. Appointments are required for most services.

    Please note that receiving an appointment does not guarantee assistance. Services are provided based on eligibility, required documentation, program rules, and availability of funds.

    APPOINTMENT ARE FIRST COME FIRST SERVED

  • Required documents may vary by program, but applicants should be prepared to provide:

    • Photo identification for applicable household members

    • Social Security numbers for all household members

    • Proof of income, such as pay stubs, benefit letters, award letters, or self-employment documentation

    • Current utility bill, disconnect notice, lease agreement, landlord invoice, mortgage statement, or vendor invoice, if applicable

    • Proof of residency

    • Zero Income Affidavit, if applicable

    • Contribution Statement, if applicable

    • Any additional documents required by the specific program

    Documents must be current, accurate, and complete.

  • Clients must provide Social Security numbers for all household members. Copies of Social Security cards may not be required for all services; however, AJFC may request additional documentation when needed to verify eligibility or meet program requirements.

  • IAn affidavit is a written statement made under oath and signed in front of a notary public or other authorized official. AJFC may require an affidavit when certain information cannot be verified by standard documents.

    Affidavits are generally valid for 30 days.

  • AJFC uses affidavits to verify important household information when official documentation is not available or when a client must certify certain circumstances, such as zero income, unemployment, separation, guardianship, or an emergency situation.

  • AJFC may require the following types of affidavits:

    • Zero Income Affidavit

    • Unemployed Affidavit

    • Separation Affidavit

    • Guardianship Affidavit

    • Authorized Representative Affidavit

    • Other Emergency Affidavit, when applicable

  • A Zero Income Affidavit is required when the entire household reports having no income. The applicant must sign the affidavit to declare that no household member is receiving income.

    The affidavit must be signed in front of a notary.

  • A Zero Income Affidavit is required when the applicant reports that no income is being received by any household member.

    AJFC must also verify how the household is paying bills and personal expenses.

  • An Unemployed Affidavit is required for each adult household member age 18 or older who has no income and is not a student.

    The affidavit confirms that the adult household member has been unemployed for the required period.

  • No. The Unemployed Affidavit is required for adults age 18 or older who have no income and are not students. Students over age 18 must provide school verification instead.

  • A Separation Affidavit is used when an applicant states that they are separated from their spouse.

    Because Mississippi does not recognize legal separation, the applicant must provide an affidavit declaring separation when applicable.

  • A Guardianship Affidavit may be required when an applicant states that minor children, such as grandchildren, nieces, nephews, or other minors, live in the home under the applicant’s care.

    AJFC may also require supporting documentation from a verifiable source, such as school records, CPS, an attorney’s office, or another official agency.

  • An Authorized Representative Affidavit is required when another person applies for services on behalf of an applicant.

    The affidavit must give the representative permission to act on behalf of the applicant. If the representative has Power of Attorney, an affidavit may not be required, but the Power of Attorney document must be provided.

  • An Other Emergency Affidavit may be used when AJFC determines that an affidavit is needed for an emergency situation not covered by another affidavit type.

    This option should only be used when appropriate and supported by the client’s circumstances.

  • A Contribution Statement Form is required when a client reports zero income but receives financial help or in-kind support from another person.

    The form explains how the household’s bills, rent, utilities, food, transportation, or other personal expenses are being paid.

  • A Contribution Statement Form is required when a zero-income household receives money or in-kind assistance from another person.

    Examples include help from family members, friends, churches, community organizations, or others.

  • The person providing the assistance should complete and sign the Contribution Statement Form.

    The form must be notarized.

  • The Contribution Statement Form should include:

    • Name of the applicant receiving help

    • Name of the person providing support

    • Phone number of the person providing support

    • Type of assistance provided

    • Amount of money given, if any

    • How often the support is provided

    • Whether bills are paid directly to the client or directly to the vendor

    • Signature of the person providing assistance

    • Notary signature and seal

  • es. Money given directly to the household must be counted as unearned income.

  • No. If another person pays the bill directly to the vendor, that payment is not counted as unearned income to the household. However, proof of payment from the person is required.

  • A Zero Income Affidavit is completed by the client to declare that the household has no income.

    A Contribution Statement is completed by the person providing support to explain how the household’s expenses are being paid.

    In many zero-income cases, both forms may be required.

  • NO!

    If the client reports zero income and receives help from another person, AJFC must document how the household’s bills and personal expenses are being paid. A Contribution Statement or other acceptable verification may be required before eligibility can be approved.

  • Yes. Affidavits and Contribution Statement Forms must be signed in the presence of a notary when required.

  • If required documentation is not provided, AJFC may not be able to determine eligibility. The application may be delayed, denied, or marked pending until the required documentation is submitted.

  • Funder source require AJFC to verify how a zero-income household is meeting basic needs. This helps ensure that eligibility is accurate and that the client file includes enough documentation to support the assistance provided.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Case management is a supportive service that helps clients create a plan for stability and self-sufficiency. A caseworker may help with goal setting, referrals, follow-up, employment support, education planning, housing stabilization, budgeting, and other services.

    Clients enrolled in case management are expected to maintain regular contact with their assigned caseworker and complete required follow-ups.

  • Case management may be required depending on the type of assistance requested. Clients receiving ongoing assistance, future-month assistance, education assistance, or other supportive services may be required to participate in case management.

    Short-term crisis assistance may not always require ongoing case management, depending on the client’s assessment and program requirements.

  • AJFC requires a lease agreement to verify housing status, residence, rental responsibility, and eligibility for housing-related assistance.

    The lease helps AJFC confirm that the applicant is responsible for the housing cost and that assistance is being provided appropriately.

  • A valid lease agreement should include:

    • Tenant name

    • Landlord name

    • Property address

    • Lease start and end date

    • Monthly rent amount

    • Utility responsibility, including whether utilities are included in rent

    • Signatures of both landlord and tenant

    AJFC may provide a general lease template if a landlord needs one, but the lease must be completed by the landlord and tenant.

  • We offer flexible pricing based on project type and complexity. After an initial conversation, we’ll provide a transparent quote with no hidden costs.

  • Collaborative, honest, and straightforward. We're here to guide the process, bring ideas to the table, and keep things moving.

  • Yes. The lease must clearly state whether utilities such as electricity, water, gas, or other services are included in the rent.

    AJFC may request utility bills or additional documentation to verify housing and utility costs.

  • A landlord invoice or rent statement documents the amount owed by the tenant. It is required when a client is requesting rental assistance.

    The invoice or statement should include:

    • Tenant name

    • Rental address

    • Landlord or apartment complex name

    • Monthly rent amount

    • Past due amount, if applicable

    • Current amount due

    • Total amount owed

    • Date of statement

    • Landlord contact information

    • Landlord signature or official letterhead

    The invoice or statement should be current and generally should not be older than 30 days.

  • No. The lease agreement and landlord invoice must be completed by the landlord, apartment complex, housing authority, or mortgage company.

    AJFC staff may explain what information is required, but AJFC cannot complete landlord documents on behalf of the landlord.

  • Applicants requesting rent or mortgage assistance must provide documentation showing the amount owed.

    For rental assistance, the applicant must provide an itemized statement from the landlord, apartment complex, or housing authority. For mortgage assistance, the applicant must provide documentation from the mortgage company.

    The statement must include the applicant’s name, address, account number if applicable, date, current charges, past due charges, and total amount owed.

  • If you have received a disconnect notice or are facing a utility emergency, contact AJFC as soon as possible. AJFC may be able to assist through available crisis or utility assistance programs, depending on eligibility and funding.

    You may be required to provide:

    • Utility disconnect notice

    • Current utility bill

    • Photo identification

    • Social Security numbers for household members

    • Proof of income or Zero Income Affidavit

    • Contribution Statement, if applicable

    • Lease agreement, if required

    • Explanation of the emergency or hardship

    Assistance is not guaranteed.

  • If you are facing eviction, foreclosure, homelessness, or unsafe living conditions, AJFC may be able to provide short-term support or referrals.

    You may be required to provide:

    • Eviction notice, court notice, or foreclosure notice

    • Lease agreement or mortgage statement

    • Landlord invoice or itemized rent statement

    • Documentation of unsafe conditions, if applicable

    • Proof of income or Zero Income Affidavit

    • Explanation of the hardship

    Additional documentation and eligibility screening may be required.

  • AJFC may provide education or training assistance through CSBG when funding is available and when the applicant meets program requirements.

    Applicants may be required to show proof of enrollment, tuition balance, financial aid status, grades, and case management participation. College students must meet applicable program requirements, including maintaining satisfactory academic progress.

  • Transportation assistance may be available depending on the program, client need, eligibility, and funding availability. Transportation assistance may support employment, education, medical access, or other approved self-sufficiency goals.

  • AJFC welcomes volunteers, donors, businesses, churches, agencies, and community organizations that want to support individuals and families in Southwest Mississippi.

    To learn more about volunteer or partnership opportunities, contact AJFC through the main office or visit www.ajfccaa.org.

  • Yes. AJFC accepts donations to support programs and services for individuals and families in need. Donations may include monetary gifts, clothing, supplies, vehicles, property, or other approved items.

    To make a donation or learn more, please contact AJFC or visit www.ajfccaa.org.

  • No. Assistance is not guaranteed. All services are based on eligibility, required documentation, program guidelines, and availability of funds.

    If funding is unavailable or resources are exhausted, AJFC may provide referrals to other agencies or community partners.