The first place to look when you need help to pay your bills.
Everyone is hurting (financially) right now. Recession, depression, call it what you want, the fact of the matter is: there is not enough. Our country has enough, it's just not getting to the people who need it. Families are expected to work more and get by with less. It's ridiculous. When and where will it end? I have revamped my national organizations page to, hopefully, make it more user friendly. In addition, please check out these other incredible pages :
****All direct links are in green or yellow
Please note, even though we try to, we cannot answer every post.
Soulight,
Elaine,
The NATIONWIDE organizations listed below can assist you with your basic needs, including: food, clothing, rent, utilities, transportation, back to school needs, medical, dental, and holiday needs.
IF they cannot assist you, they may be able to refer you to someone who can.
- A service of United way – lists most nonprofit organizations in your local area
- available in most counties (not all)
- available both online and by calling 2-1-1 in your area ( free call)
Support for military personnel and their families
Assistance just for military and their families
Government benefits
Find out what government benefits you may qualify for
the first place to go when in need – they can help with child care, child support, rental assistance, food stamps, healthcare, burial assistance, temporary financial assistance, etc.
Local benefits by state
Select a State from the map to view a list of the selected State's benefit programs.
American Public Human Services Association
Internet site that list social service agencies by state. A NATIONWIDE listing of social services offices and applications online
SSA.gov
To apply for Social Security Disability or Supplemental Security Income
FREECYCLE
looking for something? Getting rid of something? Check out FreeCycle!
The following organizations may be able to fill in the gaps, or help, when Social Services cannot:
Emergency food and shelter board program
- The EFSP National Board does not provide direct client assistance. Direct assistance is provided through a variety of resources, which may include EFSP funding in your community. If you are in search of assistance for yourself or someone you know, you should look in the community services section of your local telephone directory. You should find these pages in the front of your directory and should look for listings for American Red Cross, Catholic Charities or Catholic Social Services, The Salvation Army, United Way Information and Referral, or other non-profit service providers. You may also click on Funded Organizations, here or on the EFSP homepage, to find organizations funded through EFSP in your community who may be able to assist or refer you to the appropriate assistance.
FOOD
FOOD STAMPS - OFFICES BY STATES
government program part of social services
WIC
Specifically for pregnant/postpartum women and children UNDER 5 - government program part of social services
Angel Food Ministries – listings by state
HOUSING AND UTILITIES
HEAP
utility assistance - government program part of social services
HUD - RENTAL ASSISTANCE
If you need rental assistance this is the place to start. Subsidized housing is based on your income and often times it is much quicker to get into a subsidized apartment than to wait for a Section 8 Subsidy approval
Also check out how subsidized rent is determined
HUD/SECTION 8/Govt subsidized housing
Section 8 housing usually has a long list because the subsidy is attached to the person, not the property. This means that regardless of where the person lives, they still get the subsidy. In NY the waiting list is 8-10 years.
****If at anytime, you are denied accessibility to applying for any program, you should contact your local city, county, or state leaders and have them intervene on your behalf. - THIS APPLIES TO ANYONE WHO IS DENIED ASSISTANCE.
HOWEVER, there is another alternative. Subsidized housing where the subsidy stays with the property rather than with the renter. You would still pay the same amount of rent - it is based on your income - but you would have to move into a government subsidized property.
In most cases, these are handicapped accessible, family oriented, all the maintenance is included - among other things.
I am including the link for HUD below - just click on the proper state and take it from there. You will need a minimal security deposit - which you may be able to get from social services or another charitable organization.
Regardless of how long the list is you should still be able to be put on the list.
Contributed links:
fair housing act
home page
Americans with disabilities act homepage
HOUSING ASSISTANCE COUNCIL
Does NOT help individuals, BUT does have a lot of information and links for individuals- please browse through the site for more information.
WORK AND SCHOOL
Department of Labor
Can assist with: unemployment, job search, resumes, job training, wage and hour, layoffs, overtime, workplace safety, retirement and health benefits, and disability questions.
Ways to Work
How can you work if you have no transportation? Most social services programs do offer bus passes to help you get to and from work. This is different. This is NOT part of social services. This is a LOAN program specifically for low income families in need of a car or car repair, who do NOT qualify for conventional loans. They have their own set of requirements and are NOT available in every state.
http://www.alliance1.org/Programs/Waystowork.htm
Free Application for Federal Student Aid - FAFSA
government grants to finance your education
MEDICAL HELP
United Health Care Childrens Foundation
Grants, up to $5,000, can help families pay for the costs associated with therapies such as speech, physical and psychotherapy sessions; for medical equipment such as wheelchairs, braces, hearing aids and eye glasses; and for orthodontia and dental treatments.
Childrens Healthcare Emergencies
United Health Care Children’s Fund might be able to help. "Grants, up to $5,000, can help families pay for the costs associated with therapies such as speech, physical and psychotherapy sessions; for medical equipment such as wheelchairs, braces, hearing aids and eye glasses; and for orthodontia and dental treatments."
Partnership for Prescription Assistance
assistance with medications for those without insurance
Donated Dental services
In each state at least one program coordinator is responsible for determining that applicants are either disabled, elderly or medically compromised and have no other way for paying for dental care.
Together Rx
discount card for prescriptions
GREAT DISCOUNT MEDICAL CARD
http://dwesley1981.aidpage.com/about.htm
GRANTS LOANS AND WISHES
evander holyfield foundation
MODEST NEEDS
non-profit organization reaching out to hard-working individuals and families who suddenly find themselves faced with small, emergency expenses that they have no way to afford on their own
OPEN DIRECTORY PROJECT
Listing of organizations which grant wishes to disabled, terminally ill, children and adults.
Prosper
loan program for people - from people
How To Locate Small Business Grants,
Government Grants, and Other Grant Money
MISCELLANEOUS RESOURCES
(In other words, I wasn’t sure where to put these!)
Toys for Tots
Christmas assistance for families with children
Credit counseling
· CCCS
· NFCC
· money management. Org
ATTORNEYS
PETS
If you need financial assistance, for a pet who is ill, check out this page:
National financial assistance organizations for pets
a series of Web resource pages on topics of high interest and concern. They're intended to connect you quickly with a range of resources, materials, and guidance on these topics.
fraud and scam information
GRASSROOTS.ORG
This is one site you have to see for yourself! If you want to start a non-profit, volunteer, get involved, or just do some research, this is the place to start!
SEX OFFENDERS
Is there a sex offender living near you? find out here
