STEPS TO APPLY FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

Follow these steps to apply. The process may take up to four (4) weeks. Lakewood Methodist Church does not provide immediate assistance.

1. Read this page before filling out the Application form.

We cannot assist you if you do not provide the required information.

Please answer truthfully and to the best of your ability. No answer to any question will disqualify you, as all cases are considered based on various factors.

We assure you that all financial and personal information will be treated strictly confidential at all times. Your information will only be reviewed by members of our church staff or necessary individuals associated with the benevolence process.

Completing the benevolence application and participating in an interview does not guarantee benevolence assistance.

2. Confirm you meet the basic criteria.

Please review the list below to ensure you meet the basic criteria. If you do not meet these criteria but still apply, your application will not be processed.

Please note: Lakewood Methodist Church is not a government-assisted agency. Donations from our congregation directly fund all available resources.

  • Reside within the following zip code areas: 77040, 77064, 77065, 77066, 77068 ,77069, 77070, 77375, 77377, 77379, 77389, 77429

  • Household has not received an appointment in the last six months; this includes client, spouse, roommates, friends, etc. – financial assistance is per household, not individual.

THIS IS NOT AN EXTENSIVE LIST OF CRITERIA

If it is determined at any point in the process that Benevolence cannot provide assistance, you will be notified that “Benevolence cannot assist you at this time.” No further information will be given.

At no point in this process do we promise or guarantee that assistance will be provided to you. 

3. Gather all necessary information before filling out the Application form.

You must have gathered the required documentation before completing the form. Use the checklist below and review it to ensure your bill meets the required criteria.

We cannot accept incomplete applications. If you omit any information or documentation, your application will not be processed.

The following are a list of ITEMS NEEDED FOR APPLICATION -you will be required to upload them to complete your application.

  • Driver’s License, Identification Card, or Passport
  • Current copy of amount due – must be within 30 days – see “Qualifying Bill” for complete details of acceptable documentation.

ONLY ONE PAST DUE BILL WILL BE CONSIDERED AND ONLY THE PORTION THAT IS PAST DUE

We do not provide immediate payment.

Housing: lease of apartment, home, or mortgage payment. We don’t assist with temporary housing; ie: hotels or extended stays

  • Past due amount must not exceed, $3600.
  • A current ledger or statement with the past due amount, due date, late fees, file fees, etc., all fees must be listed to obtain the actual amount required by the vendor. Your landlord will understand what a ledger or statement is and be able to provide. 
  • Bill must contain information regarding client and vendor, name, address, phone number, and apartment number (if applicable).
  • Leases and eviction notices are not accepted.
  • Portal screenshots are not accepted.
  • We will not make payments to individuals, including yourself, your family, or friends. All payments will be made directly to the vendor.

 

Utilities: gas, water, electricity

  • Utility bill past due amount must not exceed, $500.
  • A current statement with the past due amount, due date, late fees, reconnect fees, etc., needs to be written out to obtain the actual amount required by the vendor.
  • Bill must contain information regarding client and vendor, name, address, phone number, and account number.
  • Portal screenshots are not accepted.
  • We will not make payments to individuals, including yourself, your family, or friends. All payments will be made directly to the vendor.


THE BILL MUST HAVE THE FOLLOWING CLEARLY PRINTED ON IT 

If any of these are missing consideration will not be given and you will not be notified to make corrections.

  • Name on the account
  • Account/Policy/Loan Number
  • Mailing address of vendor for payment
  • Payment Amount due


We will not make payments to individuals, including yourself, your family, or friends. All payments will be made directly to the vendor.

4. Expect to wait

Applications are reviewed and verified within at least four working days. During this period, no communication will be initiated, and we regret that we cannot respond to inquiries.

Once your application has been verified, we will contact you primarily via email. If you do not have access to email, please provide a telephone number where you can always be reached. Failure to establish contact after two attempts will result in your application not being processed.

You will receive an appointment confirmation email if your application meets our criteria and appointment slots are available within our scheduling window.

If your application does not meet our criteria, cannot be verified, or we cannot schedule an appointment, you will receive an email stating, “Benevolence cannot assist you at this time,” without further details provided.

5. Follow the instructions you are given

You may be asked to meet with our team members as part of the consideration process. Please be on time for any appointments. The Benevolence interview often involves probing, complex, and potentially uncomfortable questions regarding your situation and spending habits. Be prepared for this aspect of the process.

If at any point it is determined that Benevolence cannot assist, you will be notified with the statement, “Benevolence cannot assist you at this time.” No further information will be provided.

At no stage of this process do we promise or guarantee assistance will be provided to you.

Any assistance will be in the form of a check made out to the vendor, landlord, or other service provider—not directly to you. We do not provide cash, money orders, or cashier’s checks or offer immediate payment.

Thank you for reviewing these instructions. We are committed to guiding you through this process.