TOPEKA, Kansas - Community Action is offering free Topeka Transit bus passes for January 2010. To qualify, applicants must be 18 yrs. or older, who depend on public transportation to travel to and from their employment, or vocational training site. In addition, applicants must meet income guidelines set at or below, 200% of the Federal income guidelines (ex. family of 3, $36,620; family of 4, $44,100).

To check income eligibility, go to: http://www.cactiontopeka.com/ and click on program income guidelines.

This program is made possible through funds provided by the Kansas Housing Resources Corproation Community Services Block Grant and the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.

Because of limited supply, applicants must call Community Action's Swygart Center at 235-9296 to check on availability. Passes will be distributed on a first-come-first-served basis. Applicants will be required to provide proof of current employment, or vocational training, household income for the past 30 days, and Social Security numbers of all household members. Applicants must also complete the agency Consumer Intake Form and show a picture ID.

One pass may be acquired every six months, as long as the supply lasts. Applications are being taken at Community Action's Swygart Center, 621 SE Swygart, Topeka.

For more info on this program, contact Wendy Coonrod, 235-9296 or wcoonrod@inlandnet.net

Community Action empowers individuals, families and communities to overcome poverty through education, advocacy, prevention and services to meet basic human needs. Services include, the annual Back-to-School Fair, free tax preparation, homeless prevention, Latino family services, safe kids, elderly services and The First Tee-Shawnee County. Additional programs include Head Start, housing and home services such as weatherization, emergency home repair, and accessibility modification.: http://www.cactiontopeka.com/