The local administration of the town of Sharon offers residents an extensive system of social support. A specialized department helps address issues regarding financial assistance, healthcare, and transportation services. Various categories of citizens, including the elderly, veterans, and low-income individuals, can receive consultations, apply for subsidies, or book a free ride to a doctor.
Social Services: Help for Town Residents and Department Contacts
The Social Services department in the town of Sharon evaluates the needs of local residents and helps them in difficult situations. The Social Service Agent analyzes each request. Residents are provided with up-to-date information, referrals to specialized organizations, and resources to resolve household or financial problems.
You can contact the agent by phone at 860-364-1003 or through the official email of the service. The reception office itself is located on the second floor of Town Hall. For convenience, application forms and information materials are laid out on a bookshelf right next to the office entrance. An important rule of operation is complete confidentiality; the privacy of all applicants is strictly protected.
Heating Season and the Energy Assistance Program
One of the main areas of financial support is the Energy Assistance program. It is designed to help people reduce the costs of heating buildings during the winter period. Residents are encouraged to submit applications in advance to prepare for the cold weather in time.
Forms for Fall Energy Assistance appear on the shelves near the social services office around mid-September. To clarify the list of documents and register for the program, it is necessary to contact the social service agent.
Healthcare and Local Resources
Environmental issues, disease prevention, and the promotion of a healthy lifestyle within the town are handled by the Housatonic Valley Health District (HVHD). This is a full-time public health department. It serves not only Sharon but also neighboring regions, including New Milford, Oxford, Southbury, Washington, and Woodbury.
In addition to major state programs, a local mutual aid network called Northwest Cares operates in the region. Many neighboring towns have their own charitable offerings:
- Free food pantries.
- Communal meals for vulnerable populations.
- Special funds to finance arts and educational projects.
- Camperships for children and direct financial aid to people in crisis situations.
Support for Veterans and Military Retirees
The Sharon Social Services agency has received special training to work with military personnel. However, the department’s authority is limited to assistance exclusively within one specific fund – the soldiers’, sailors’, marines’ fund.
Veterans are recommended to visit the official website of the American Legion organization to check their eligibility for payouts from this source. Since the rules of the US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) are constantly changing, former military personnel are advised to monitor updates through official state links so as to not lose the benefits they earned.
Starting January 1, 2020, veterans and their designated caregivers received expanded access to military commissaries, exchanges, and morale, welfare, and recreation (MWR) facilities both in-person and online.
Transportation Services
For town residents who do not own a vehicle or cannot drive due to health conditions, several transportation services have been established. They transport citizens to hospitals and shops free of charge or for a minimal fee.
Chore Service
This service helps organize rides to and from local medical appointments in Sharon. To book a vehicle, you need to call the coordinator Kristen at 860-567-6121. An important condition: an intake form must be completed prior to the first pickup.
Dial-a-Ride Curb-to-Curb Transportation Service
This is a regional curb-to-curb transportation service provided by the Northwest CT Transit District. The service utilizes special para-transit vans and is available to people of all ages across 17 towns throughout Northwest Connecticut. Anyone under 12 years of age must be accompanied by an adult. Vans transport passengers to nutrition programs, medical appointments, shopping, and for other social and personal purposes. Group excursions may also be arranged. All vehicles are wheelchair accessible. Phones for inquiries: 860-489-2535 or 866-906-7433.
Geer – Dial-a-Ride
A free transportation service for individuals aged 18 and older. A donation can be made if the rider wishes. Vans operate Monday through Friday, from 8 am to 4 pm. The service provides transportation for residents from the towns of Canaan, North Canaan (Falls Village), Cornwall, Salisbury, and Sharon. The transport delivers people to doctor’s appointments, dental appointments, pharmacies, therapies, dialysis, and veteran service offices. To schedule a ride, call 860-824-7067.
Rural Independent Transportation System (RITS)
This is a partnership project involving several organizations, designed to provide expanded transportation services to the elderly and disabled for non-emergency medical trips. The system is oriented toward non-emergency medical trips, such as rides to a medical facility for treatments like dialysis, radiation, burn treatment, or pulmonary rehab. The phone number for booking is the same: 860-824-7067. Calls should be made at least 48 hours in advance of the medical appointment. All service vehicles are wheelchair accessible.