Government program help with rent or other bills. These state assistance programs help those experiencing long-term unemployment or waiting for disability benefits.
Many government programs provide free financial help for low-income families.  Resources have been put in place to help American citizens and residents who need emergency help. Some programs give away free Christmas toys for kids every year.
The best thing about government programs is that there are agencies in every city, and unlike a private community-based program, they don’t run out of money as often. Most of these residents do not have the financial support of family or friends and resort to seeking supplemental assistance.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
How Government Programs Help
U.S. states receive block grants at their suggestion to help people eligible for aid.  Previously called Aide to Families with Dependent Families or AFDC, the program gives temporary financial assistance to families with children under 18.
Those participating are required to find work within 24 months. Free Financial Help Paying Bills will regularly bring you information on both private and government assistance programs that offer:
- Free medical clinics
- Subsidy to pay electric bills
- Free and low-cost dental care
- Housing assistance programs
- Grants to start your own business
- Help you pay your bills like rent and mortgage.
- Lifeline free landline and free cell phone service
- Government grants to go to school, and more
| Â POVERTY GUIDELINES FOR THE 48 CONTIGUOUS STATES AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA 2022 | |
|---|---|
| Persons in family/household | Income Requirements |
| 1 | $13,590 |
| 2 | $18,310 |
| 3 | $23,030 |
| 4 | $27,750 |
| 5 | $32,470 |
| 6 | $37,190 |
| 7 | $41,910 |
| 8 | $46,630 |
| For households with more than 8 persons, add $4,720 for each additional person. | |
Top Government Programs for Low-Income Families
Winter Heating Assistance (LIHEAP)
You may also be eligible for Winter heating assistance. It is not too late to start thinking about winter heating costs or cooling costs if you live in a hot climate. LIHEAP helps disadvantaged families each year with heating and cooling costs.
When you apply for the heating assistance program through the Department of Social Services or a private poverty organization, you can receive a check the first week in January to help you pay heating or cooling bills.
The best time to apply for help is in late Summer. Funding is limited, and preference is given to families with children. Find help for winter heating assistance from LIHEAP.
Low-Income Home Energy Assistance
HHS, Administration for Children and Families
Office of Community Services, Division of Energy Assistance
Aerospace Building, 5th Floor West
370 L’Enfant Promenade, S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20447
WIC (Women, Infants, and Children)
WIC, or women, infants, and children, are a supplement program that provides federal grants to U.S. states for approved benefits. That includes food and health care for disadvantaged pregnant women and children under five. Their goal is to improve the health and well-being of at-risk children.
Medicaid
This healthcare program provides health insurance to millions of low-income families and individuals who could otherwise not have access to healthcare.
Medicaid allows low-cost health benefits to adults, kids, pregnant women, seniors, and people with disabilities to have free healthcare. The program covers 1 in 5 Americans with a broad array of health services and limits enrollee’s out-of-pocket costs.
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
TANF helps many struggling families with young children in the United States, Puerto Rico, Hawaii, Alaska, and Indian Territories.  They help by providing finances to pay for housing, utilities, food, and supplemental necessities such as food, electricity, and housing costs.
This government assistance is designed to support families and offer government assistance for veterans for as long as the support is needed. (More info)
If you are a family with children under 18, you may be eligible for temporary assistance from the government, even if you work. You can apply at your local or county welfare office or go online to download an application. Locate your state contact information for local TANF help.
If you have been denied in the past and your financial situation has changed, please apply again with updated proof of your income. (Federal Poverty Guidelines for Alaska and Hawaii)
 Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP)
The Child’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) provides low-cost health coverage to children in families that earn too much money to qualify for Medicaid. In some states, CHIP offers pregnant women and adults a range. CHIP provides low-income, uninsured children health care coverage by CHIP—low-income children who lack insurance.
CHIP covers the cost of medical and dental care for uninsured kids up to age 19.
SNAP/Food Stamps
The Food and Nutrition Service Program is an assistance program that helps low-income residents buy food. The federal government funds give those enrolled a set amount each month to purchase food and food products for their families.  Disadvantaged families don’t always have the money to provide their families with healthier food choices.
The goal of this program is to improve nutrition and health.  As an entitlement program, anyone can receive help if they meet the financial eligibility requirement. SNAP – Apply Online
Work for Welfare
If adults living in the home are unemployed, they must participate in the work for welfare program (non-paid position) or a job training program. This program has been suspended in many states.
Financial Aid Programs
If you would like to return to school to learn a trade or certificate of nursing degree, financial programs will allow you to do so. If you want to return to school, childcare grants are also available.
There is a limited amount of money for childcare, so you should sign up for childcare assistance as soon as possible.
Documents Needed to Apply for Government Assistance Programs
When applying for temporary assistance, you will need proper documentation to prove your family size, your income, proof of employment, and your address. Gather the necessary documents and bring as many as possible when you enroll.
This will start the process, and you will receive a letter of what other documents you need to present and the deadline to return them. These are some of the documents you will need to bring when filing for financial assistance:
- birth certificate
- payroll stubs
- residence status
- current electricity bill
- social security for adults and children cards
- unemployment benefits letter
- bank statement if you have an account
List of Government Programs that Help Low-Income Families
Here are programs that help low-income families
- Medicaid
- Head Start
- Federal Pell Grant Program
- Women Infants and Children (WIC)
- Childcare subsidies
- Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
- Child’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP)
- Subsidized Housing, Vouchers, Public Housing
I need help paying power bill its due to be shut off tomorrow and I have no car or way to get anywhere to get help can u help me?
Hello Carrie. Please go to Catholic Charities with your disconnect letter for help with this bill. You can go to the Department of Social Service.
I’ve been trying to get LAHEAP to help me with paying my light bill for the past 4 months and they seem.like they don’t care.
Need help paying my rent, please.
Hello Pisey, contact the agencies in this post. https://freefinancialhelp.net/emergency-rent-assistance/
Resently me and my family have fell into harship on paying our water bill ! We had a water leak and used over 100 thousand gallons of water $900 and we are unable to pay such a bill! I have a family of five can u help us please
HHello, Patrick. You may be eligible for emergency assistance from the Department of Social Services. They offer emergency assistance to those not receiving government assistance.
Hello I am in marion iowa, there are no funds here as I have exhausted all my resources, I have been trying to find free grants and that is just crazy to do. I run a christian daycare and lost a few of my kids which put me in a hardship, I need 199 for my electric as it has been disconnected since may 15th and 700 for rent. I have more kids coming in june which will help alot. So I just need a boost getting back on my feet. God bless you.
Hello, Shari. Because your daycare is a business you can not get the help usually set aside for individuals and families. Perhaps holding a fundraiser for the daycare or asking your Pastor to present your need to the congregation. Options are to raise your rates or take out a small loan. I hope you can find the resources need to keep your daycare open.
Need help with electric bill
Hello, Tina. Look here and contact the agencies listed for help. Help with Rent and Utilities also check out Church Assistance Programs
What about Senior Citizens? I think it’s a crying shame that we have to get used to having nothing in the state of Tennessee.. I need a partial denture but there is a 2 to 1 year waiting list through organizations in Knoxville. We don’t matter one bit.
Hello, Brenda. There are agencies the help with dental care. Check out this site: https://dentallifeline.org/tennessee/
I am disabled I tried for two and a half months to get help with my rent I wasn’t able to and now I am being evicted
Hello, Suzanna. Please start by contacting HUD and United Way. Have to gone to DDS they offer emergency assistance for those who qualify financially, even if they are not receiving assistance?
Hello my name is Robert my wife and I just mived from California to oregon. We moved to escape drugs. Unfortunately were we moved to isn’t any better, and were currently are living pay check to pay check. If any body knows of any housing assistance programs in Salem OR please help.
Hi Robert. Start by checking out the agencies in these post. If you qualify, you will first need to find housing and then they will help you. Church assistance, Government Housing. Good luck.
Im looking for a low income inpatient drug rehab. I livt i chambers county. I dont.k ow the first thing on how to get in a place like this. I need to find out asap. Thanks. Sincerely, Billie Jean Gersbach
Hello Billie. You may be able to find some ideas in this post: Financial Assistance for Drug Rehab Good luck!
I need help so I won’t be homeless boyfriend died Feb 29th and I can’t afford the rent need help
Hi Elaine, thanks for writing. Contact agencies in the article, Local Church Assistance Programs. Good Luck
I need financial help for the payment of my house rental, utilities, pay bills and everyday food consumptions…
thanks…
I need help with getting apartment I’m homeless and don’t have enough to move in apartment if there and help out there let me know
Hello Terry: Check out the Salvation Army and HUD. Good luck.
IM homeless an need help asap I been sleeping in my car going to work its just not enough when I have car payment insurance an putting gas in car etc.tell me what or where to go for help?
Michelle: Please contact the DSS for emergency assistance. They have help with emergency help with bills, utilities, food etc. once a year for those not presently receiving assistance. If you qualify financially they help you once a year with rent, food, utility problems, etc. Also check out Charities that Help with Bills.
I need financial help for my pregnant wife because my income is very low please help me in India
Hello Mithlesh: I am sorry you are having this trouble. Unfortunately, these programs are for those living in the United. Please look for “assistance programs” in India.
Afternoon my name is F.oliver I have pretty much been homeless couch surfing for last 10 years I’m am mentally disabled (schizophrenia bi polar depression) as well as a minor physical disability(lowerback) I receive SSI in new York state at $733 a month I have been in the shelter system to no avail and for the last 3 ½ years have had a small service lap dog for emotion support and to help comfort me through my illness and tough times .im on the verge on spending another winter on the streets I’m seeking help in finding a program that will help me find affordable housing I have no steady place to sleep at night ..I do have a mailing address I pick up NY mail periodically .. I’m in desperate need of help I’m at my wits ends and feel at the end of NY rope at this point my email is HomelesswithPet@gmail.com even if you can not directly assist me but lead me in a direction I can I will appreciate any help or advice… Have a blessed day
Hello Francisco. Please contact The Center for Independence of the Disabled. They can help with Housing, Health Benefits, Transportation, Food Stamps, and Emergency Preparedness.
212-674-2300
841 Broadway, Suite 301
New York 10003
Also check out this link: http://www.nyc.gov/html/doh/html/mental/housing-services.shtml
HELP PLEASE. I AM DISABLE AND NEED $2475. 00 to pay my rent arrears.
My paylpal account is pinkda1@yahoo.com
Thanks
Tracy B
Pinkda1@yahoo.com
Hello Tracy. Free Financial Help does not give money. We do however direct people to organizations that can help. These agencies do not give cash, but send a check to your landlord, utility company etc. Please contact the Department of Social Services, Catholic Charities, Salvation Army, St Paul de Vincent Catholic Church to see if they can assist you. Depending on amount pf your bill, you may have to go to more than one place to get all the money you need.
Good Luck
I am needing help to get my mortgage caught up I am about to loose my home, I have applied for a loan modification several times and each time I have been denied. I have been struggling for a year or longer, Now I am on medical leave due to having kidney cancer. I deknow what to do at this point. I have no place to go. I have my grand and great grand that I have been providing for.please help.
Thank you
Sara, you are not alone in your need for assistance with bills. There are charities and non-profit organization that will do their best work with you. Please begin to contact the agencies in the post below. They help with bills, counseling, prayer, food, clothing, etc. God bless you.
Churches and Charities that Help
I am needing help to pay rent. Have never asked for help but been struggling for months now. We didn’t have good for Thanksgiving but that’s a whole other issue. Thank you for your time
Hi Rebecca. Please contact the agencies in the post below. Also help is given based on your family income so be prepared to bring proof of income.
Church Assistance Programs
Hello Cara, thanks for writing. This is how assistance programs work. How they determine if you can receive help is by your gross family income. They are set up to help emergency situations for families in danger of immediate eviction or having utilities cut off, emergency food pantries, temporary housing,etc. They never give cash, and pay the landlord or utility company directly. They do not pay car notes, insurance, phone bills,etc. I hope this helps. Let us know if we can specifically help you.
I have yet to find any assistance anywhere….. I am in emergency mode and I have yet to locate any HELP!!!!!!
I have been without electric for over months now. I am not looking for a handout. I want to work, I am over qualified or under qualified. I am 59 almost ready to retired and I have nothing. If there is really some help out there please give me some direction.
Thank you, Kathleen Pasquale
Kspasqua@gmail.com
862.247,1803
New JERSEY.
Kathleen, try going to the Salvation Army and Catholic Charities. Also you may be able to get Emergency assistance from the Department of Social Services. They will help you and give you a list of referral services in your state. Good luck!
I am desperately in need of assistance to pay my bills, home repairs and rent . My husband has skipped out on me and my children . Leaving me with over due bills no money and in danger of water and electric being turned off and also facing eviction for months of past due rent. PLEASE can you help me??
We are not associated with any organization and do not give money. We are, however, a resource to help you locate the financial assistance you need to pay bills, to care for your family in difficult times. Most assistance programs require your gross yearly income to be at or below 135% of the federal poverty. If you quality, you may get help with rent. Contact Catholic Charities or HUD to see if you can get help with the rent.Also, if you children are under the age of 18, consider going to the Department of Social Services, to see how they can help. Good luck
Smiles, gracias
You’re welcome Ndudo!
Am a Nigerian. I know am obviously not eligible for the aids, am only hoping on luck. I really need financial assistance to pay my house rent bill. Please, dont ignore my sincere request for assistance. +2348035752937
Ndudo, please contact Catholic Charities, and HUD in your city. They will give you a list of other places to try to get help.
Thank you for all of this valuable information and financial resources for disadvantage people.