Need Financial Help with Utilities and Rent?

If you need financial help with utilities and rent, you can get emergency help from local charities like the Salvation Army, Catholic Charities. and Goodwill Industries.   These not-for-profits help many families during these most difficult times.

If you are a low-income wage earner, you may qualify for financial support with bills.  Some programs can assist you in maintaining the stability of your family.  

They help prevent eviction, utility bills, food, or clothing.  These charity and non-profit organizations help with bills and work all year round to bring support and emergency assistance to the less fortunate.

Find Financial Help at 2-1-1

2-1-1 Is A Great Resource

The United Way has a listing of assistance programs in most cities in the US.  It is an excellent place to start your search for help with rent or electric bills.  They can locate eviction prevention and temporary housing assistance for you.

They can tell you what state, government, or community programs can help you pay your rent and utilities or provide assistance with security deposits on a new place to live. You can reach the United Way by dialing 2-1-1 on your phone, or you can reach them online at 211. org. 

Get Help From Government Programs

Low-Income Heat Energy Assistance Program – (LIHEAP)

LIHEAP is a benefit program to help financially qualified residents with heating and cooling costs.  You can contact your utility company, the Department of Human Services, or participating community organizations to apply for help.  

Once a year, participants are eligible to receive a check in the winter to help with heating costs.  You can call the United Way (2-1-1) to find out where to apply in your city.

Government programs help people pay for phone bills, health care, and other expenses. COVID-19 Rent Assistance. Welfare. 

Government programs help people who need financial support during this time. Find out about COVID rent assistance. And see what you qualify for.  

Contact your local social service agencies or nonprofits to see if they can assist.-  LIHEAP helps low-income electric bills to help households pay their heating and cooling costs.

• You must meet certain requirements to qualify for LIHEAP assistance.
• To apply for LIHEAP you must fill out an application form at your local social services office.
• Your application must be approved before you receive benefits.
• You must use the money you receive wisely and properly.
• You must return unused funds within 60 days.”

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Family Assistance (FA) Programs Help Families With Children

You may be eligible for Family Assistance, which offers cash assistance to eligible disadvantaged families with at least one minor child living with one or both parents or guardians.

Family Assistance operates under federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) guidelines.  Click here for more about government grants.

Public Assistance Programs & Help with Bills

Many people don’t know they may qualify for help from the government.   You can receive help even if you presently receive government aid like TANF, WIC, and SNAP benefits to get government help with rent.

If you are low-income and qualify financially, you may be eligible for a one-time emergency bill assistance with bills like utility shut-off, help to pay rent, and food assistance programs.  

Therefore, if you have a financial crisis and are in danger of losing your apartment or having utilities shut off, go to your local DSS to apply for emergency help.  

You may also qualify for expedited Food Stamp benefits and a referral to a neighborhood bank.

What Agencies Will Not Do

• give cash directly
• pay rent before you receive an eviction notice
• help if you do not qualify financially

What can these agencies do

• Provide emergency help paying rent
• You will get help if you qualify financially
• Please notify your landlord, mortgage holder, or utilities that they are helping you.

How to Apply for Financial Help

Charities, governments, and non-profits can provide financial help with utilities and rent.  However, when applying for help, you must provide proof of income, address, and identification for all in the family.  These documents will be used to verify who is asking for help and if you are eligible to receive help from the government, charities, and church assistance programs.

Non-profits Provide Financial Help with Utilities and Rent

Catholic Charities

Catholic Charities financial assistance offers various benefits, one of which prevents evictions and helps with utilities and rent, mortgages, etc. If you risk losing your home, contact Catholic Charities to get the financial help you need to stay in your home.

They are committed to not helping lower income families transform their lives with respect and dignity.  They offer social services,  help with rent,  utility assistance, healthcare, pregnancy support, foster care, adoption services, and disaster relief.

The Salvation Army Helps With Bills

The Salvation Army has been helping communities in need for over 100 years. These include a meal program, food bank assistance, emergency shelters, rent assistance, and clothing.  Contact this charity if you need emergency help with rent, utilities, or other bills.   Documentation must be provided to get service.

The American Red – Emergency Bill Assistance

The American Red Cross is well known for helping families and individuals affected by disasters.   They have opened 196 shelters, given out 669,000 relief supplies, and counseled almost 12,800 families.

They provide open shelters, meals, snacks, blood collections, replace eyeglasses, Help military families, Replace prescription drugs, provide physical health and mental health support, personal supplies, toothbrush, deodorant, and shampoo.  (more)

St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church

St. Vincent de Paul is a leading Catholic charity in America.  They provide many services, such as food distribution, prescription assistance, housing assistance, help with utilities, rent, and family counseling.

If you need help with preventing eviction, contact this charity here.  If you need help paying rent, this charity will help you or direct you to where you can get the help you need. This organization is open to people of all faiths and backgrounds who need help.

In Conclusion

If you need help with utilities, contact the above agencies immediately.  When you go to an organization seeking help, bring proof of identity, address, and income.  Two things to remember are 1.  Start your search by calling 2-1-1 The United Way to find programs in your city 2. when funding is limited, you must go to more than one agency to get all the money you need.