Get help paying bills: Find local rent, food, utility assistance and more.
NeedHelpPayingBills.com is an independent information website that organizes charity administered assistance programs, places that give out free items, public assistance and local resources that help people pay bills and meet basic needs. The verified programs listed are organized by state, county, city, and topic so households can find any help available to pay the bills that is available where they live.
Every resource listed on NeedHelpPayingBills is a legitimate non-profit, government agency, church or charity program. We never charge for information. Information on this site covers both short-term emergency help and longer-term assistance. Since 2008, our mission has been to connect struggling families with legitimate, vetted financial assistance Availability, eligibility rules, and funding levels vary by location, the agency administering the funds and by program.
Most visitors begin by selecting their state to find local county and city resources. Each county page links to topic-specific pages such as rent assistance, utility help, free food programs, transportation services, and other essential needs. We manually vet every organization to ensure they provide active assistance. The primary categories of assistance programs on this page include the following.
Start by selecting your state
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Use the state list below to find assistance programs, which includes money to help pay bills or free stuff given out, that is available where you live. Each state page links to county and city resources, as well as statewide agencies and programs. Unlike automated directories, our team manually verifies local charities, government agencies, and churches across all 50 states. We specialize in finding "hidden" resources that don't appear in standard searches - and that is one of our key differentiators. Before contacting agencies listed on this page, review how to prepare and what documents are commonly required when applying for assistance.
Alabama
Arizona
Arkansas
California
Colorado
Connecticut
Delaware
Florida
Georgia
Hawaii
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Mississippi
Missouri
Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New Mexico
New York
North Carolina
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
South Carolina
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Vermont
Virginia
Washington
Washington DC
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Housing and Rent Payment Assistance
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If you are facing eviction or need help with a security deposit, charities and government agencies can offer offer financial help. For immediate crises, there are programs that may provide Rent Help to keep you in your home or apartment. You can also explore options for Section 8 Vouchers from a Housing Authority, which can help with long term housing needs. If you are currently homeless, local agencies may also provide Security Deposit Help to pay for moving costs when possible. Or in a crisis, Free Motel Vouchers and rapid rehousing services may be options.
Stop a service disconnection of your service by accessing state and federal energy grants or resources from charities or even utility companies themselves. For an emergency situations, there are programs and organizations that offer Utility Bill Help to keep the electric or gas on. Low-income families can apply for LIHEAP Energy Assistance to help pay heating and cooling bills. Additionally, there are resources for Water Bill Relief, which can sometimes cover wastewater costs too. Other possible programs may provide Phone Bill Assistance to ensure you can stay connected to family, work or emergency services.
If you are struggling to afford food, local organizations can provide emergency hunger relief and help people seek long term support. You can find use a Food Bank or Food Pantry which can provide free groceries or maybe a meal. Or learn about, and apply for long-term support through SNAP and EBT Programs. For seniors or the disabled, Meals on Wheels Delivery offers both nutrition and wellness checks at home.
National Charities and Churches
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Many families try to find help through faith-based and community organizations that have local branches in almost every county. While the exact programs and funding levels (as well as application processes vary), organizations like the Salvation Army operate from thousands of local sites. Other options include Catholic Charities, which will help people regardless of their faith.
Some of the other leading, national faith based groups with a local presence, like the Society of St. Vincent de Paul provide a mix of rent or utility assistance, food, and clothes among other resources - though they tend to be limited in what is offered. You can also contact your local Community Action Agency for a combination of emergency help as well as long-term poverty-fighting resources.
Free Items and Basic Needs
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You can reduce your monthly expenses by getting essential household goods or supplies for personal use at no cost. Many of the programs are income-based though and the Free Stuff is only for struggling people. Local Furniture Banks provide, based on availability, beds, household stuff and some even have appliances. Another option will be Clothing Closets which may offer work attire and free clothes for everyday use.
Transportation Assistance
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Reliable transportation is often the biggest barrier to keeping a job. Depending on your situation, you may be eligible for Free Car Programs, though of course the demand for a vehicle often exceed supply. Some government programs or local charities may provide Emergency Car Repair Grants if the car or truck is needed for work. If you only need temporary help to get to an interview or say a doctor's appointment, look for organizations that try to distribute Free Gas Vouchers.
Grant Money and Financial Aid
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Beyond organizations or programs that may help pay specific bills, there are broader programs designed to provide a financial "hand up." You can explore Government Benefit Programs like TANF or other cash assistance (depending on the state) or find Personal Grants for Paying Bills from private foundations, non-profits or corporations. We also list legitimate ways to Make Extra Money through verified apps, side hustle type jobs and activities like market research sites to help bridge the gap.
Medical, Dental, and Healthcare
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If you lack insurance or cannot afford your copays or any type of treatment needed, there are options for low-cost or free care, including for dental needs. Some of the programs for Free or Low-Cost Health Care are national while others are more localized. You can search for Free Health Clinics that offer primary care on a sliding scale, or find Charity Dental Care clinics for extractions and cleanings. For those with mounting bills or existing debt, we provide a guide on Medical Bill Assistance which lists various options. If you are struggling to car for a dog or cat, you can find resources for Free Veterinary Careto help with pet health costs.
Need Additional Help? If you cannot find a specific resource or have a question about a program, we are here to help.
- Email Our Research Team: info@needhelppayingbills.com. Please include your City and State so we can provide local resources. You may also use the site search or browse assistance programs by state.
- Or Join the Community Forum: Visit the needhelppayingbills community forum. Connect with 12,000+ members to share tips, ask questions, and find real-time support. The NeedHelpPayingBills forum is a separate community discussion area where users share experiences and local information related to financial hardship and assistance programs. The forum is not a substitute for contacting agencies directly.
Information on NeedHelpPayingBills.com is compiled using public records, government sources, nonprofit websites, and direct review of local agency information which you can read about on the Why You Can Trust NeedHelpPayingBills page. There you will find more details on sourcing, updates, and transparency are explained in further details on the site as well, which is another reason on the Why you can trust NeedHelpPayingBills.com.
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