How to Get Financial Assistance with Bills – We have received many questions from people wanting to know if they qualify for financial assistance with their bills or not. There are government, community outreach programs, and charities that offer assistance. You must, however, meet certain criteria to be eligible for financial help. The US Federal Poverty Guideline is how the government measures poverty.
Each year this standard by which they measure who can get help is updated by the Census Bureau. These statistics estimate how many people are living in poverty from year to year. By knowing this funding can be set aside for government assistance programs throughout the U.S. to distribute to the public.
How to Qualify Help with Money for Bills & Other Things
If you receive help from a government assistance program, you may also qualify for additional financial assistance with bills. You will qualify because you have already been financially screened by a government agency or community organization and they have already confirmed your financial status. There are several reasons someone enrolled in a government program may need help with bills.
A national disaster, home break-in, a missed appointment because of illness, lost or stolen services check, not managing cash benefits, interruption of for various reasons such as failure to return required documents, lost or stolen EBT card. So as you can see just like anyone else, unfortunate things can also happen to someone who receives government assistance. (more)
Christmas Charities
If you receive financial help from a government agency you will qualify for the yearly Christmas programs. If you have children or a senior in the home, you will qualify to receive toys for your children and a gift for your senior from the Salvation Army or Adopt-A-Family program. You will also qualify for help from other Christmas help like a holiday food basket. (more)
Free Gas Voucher
You are on a fixed income and may run out of money for incidentals like gasoline. If you can not get around town, make doctors appointments, or work, you may qualify for a gas voucher, card pass. (more)
Clothing Closets
Many charity organizations have clothing closets to help disadvantaged people obtain clothing in preparation for job interviews, or if there has been a national disaster or a woman and her children are fleeing an abusive situation. Clothing closets usually allow you to receive a certain amount of suits, blouses, shirts shoes, so that you may have serval outfits to wear.
Free Furniture
Furniture Banks are extremely helpful to low-income families who need to start all over regardless of the reason. You can get sofas, chairs, dining room sets, beds, linens, washing, dryers, and even household items like pots, pans, dishes, and silverware. (more)
A Free Car
Believe it or not, there are organizations that give away free cars to needy families. I must admit, it is not as simple as walking in and getting a car. However, there are people who have compelling stories that have been awarded a car at no cost to them at all. There are also programs where you can get a used car with a low or no-interest loan. Again, you must meet the criteria to qualify. (more)
WIC (Women Infants and Children) Assistance
WIC or woman, infants, and children are a supplement program that provides federal grants to U.S. states for approved supplemental foods, health care, parenting, and nutritional education for disadvantaged, pregnant women and children under five years old. Their goal is to improve the health and well-being of at-risk children.
Food Banks
Food banks and pantries are a mainstay for families. SNAP benefits always run out and if this happens you will be glad to know you are eligible to receive groceries to tide you over until you get your EBT benefits. You will receive a certain amount of food depending on how many people are in your family. Some food banks also give toiletries like toothpaste, soap, shampoo, and detergent, when available. (more)
You may qualify for additional financial assistance with bills if you receive,
- Section 8
- Veteran’s disability
- Medicaid Assistance
- Food stamps/SNAP
- The Free School Lunch Program
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
- Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP)
- Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance
- Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR)
- Tribally-Administered Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TTANF)
- Head Start (if income eligibility criteria are met)
- Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
I Don’t Receive Welfare – Do I Qualify for Help with Money for Bills?
The way it is decided whether or not you receive help with bills is through the Federal Poverty Guidelines. This guide determines who can get help by calculating your gross family income by the number of people in your family. In today’s economy, many people are living at, or below the federal poverty level. These are the people who are eligible for financial assistance.
There are many who find it very frustrating because they need financial assistance with bills, bills, but are not eligible for help. They are in the financial gap between poverty and sufficiency. Charities and government programs only help the very poor and often if you are in making even $1 too much, you can’t get help.
If your family income is struggling financially and your gross family income is at or below the federal poverty guideline below you may be eligible for help from the government, charities, churches, or community outreach groups. (more)
Hello, Kimberly. Many hospitals have programs to help those unable to pay. Please call your hospital to find out if you qualify for the sliding fee scale. This will not help for past due bills. They can arrange for you to make payments as low as $25 a month for old hospital bills. Also, go to the Department of Human Services to see if you qualify for cash assistance.
I need help with the home as well as my medical bills. We are truly struggling here and with me trying to find work, it is hard. Can you help us to stay in our home or alleviate some of my stress so I don’t get a third clot.
Hello Olga. I am sorry you have not been able to get help. You can not get help if you don’t meet the federal poverty guidelines and if funding is available. Go to the Department of Social Services to see if you qualify for cash assistance until you get back to work.
This is ALL B/S!!!! I asked for help from my landlord because I lost my job and I had death in my family, and instead to work with me they raise my rent knowing my situation. I put all funeral expenses on credit cards because government refused to help (never been convicted nor my mother who died). I called credit card companies and they raised my rate by 24% and also refused to work with me. I feel as ugly duckling here in this place where NO ONE CARES. All is FAKE and LIE!!!!!! Perhaps it’s only happens in Plano, TX and I wouldn’t talk for other states here. It’s the heartless place!!!!!
My name is michael gilmore i am homeless and not from here i am presently living at( austin street shelter in dallas texas i just need help with a phone bill i had job interviews set up and all my information is in my phone, i dont want the money i just need my phone bill paid; i”m with meto pcs the bill is only (50) dollas, plus i have no way of contacting family or people i know please, help before the 2nd comes up or i will lose my number. thank you very much in advance the name would be; Michael
d gilmore previous address is 3911 davis st meridian,ms 39307 there are metro pcs in dallas
Hello Doreen. Call the United Way at 2-1-1 to see what programs are available in your area. You must qualify financially by having an income at or below the US Federal Poverty Guidelines. https://www.peoplekeep.com/blog/2017-federal-poverty-level-guidelines
I am needing help with my electric bill it is 434.00 I’m not sure what to do we r disabled my husband has had a stroke we did talk to the light company an they didn’t have any programs for us, they want to turn them off on the 13th of this month cut that’s a payment arrangement we made to give us more time. He cannot take the heat it really was bad for him I think my ac unit is yo old an that’s why it’s high of u could help I would appreciate it. Anymore questions plz call me at 352 812 1231 thank you