CARES (Coalition Assisting Residents in Emergency Situations) provides emergency assistance in Charlottesville and Albemarle County. The CARES program transferred to MACAA on July 1, 2004.

Clients eligible for cash assistance must have a source of income but do not necessarily have to be working. Sources of income include but are not limited to employment, SSI/SSA, child support, disability, VIEW/TANF.

Clients eligible for cash assistance must have income sufficient to meet regular monthly expenses. CARES resources are designed to meet one-time emergencies.

Eligible clients can receive cash assistance one time per fiscal year (July 1 – June 30) in three main categories of need: eviction prevention, foreclosure prevention, utility termination prevention. In addition, there is a small amount of money for medical prescriptions.

CARES seeks funding for clients from participating faith-based organizations.