How to Get Financial Assistance with Bills

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)