I Can’t Pay My Bills…Can I Get Help?

Utilities (Electric, Gas, Water)

• LIHEAP (Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program):

  • Helps with heating, cooling, and energy bills.

  • Apply through your local community action agency.

  • Find your local LIHEAP office

• Utility Company Payment Plans or Hardship Programs:

  • Call your provider directly and ask about hardship, deferred payment, or budget billing programs.

Rent or Housing

• Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP):

  • Many states still offer help through COVID-era or state-funded ERAP programs.

  • Find rental assistance by state

• Local Housing Authorities:

  • They may offer Section 8 or public housing options.

• 211 or local shelter networks:

  • Dial 211 or visit 211.org for emergency shelter, rent assistance, or housing advocacy.

Food Assistance

• SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program):

  • Apply through your state’s social services office.

  • SNAP eligibility & application

• WIC (Women, Infants, and Children):

  • Food assistance for pregnant women and children under 5.

• Local Food Banks:

  • Feeding America Locator

Credit Cards, Loans, & Debt

• Nonprofit Credit Counseling Agencies:

  • Free or low-cost help with debt repayment plans.

  • National Foundation for Credit Counseling (NFCC)

• Debt Management Plans (DMPs):

  • Consolidate payments and lower interest rates with nonprofit help.

Car Payments

• Lender Hardship Programs:

  • Contact your lender about a temporary hardship or loan modification.

• Local Charities (e.g., Modest Needs, Catholic Charities):

  • Some provide small grants for car-related expenses.

General Help

• Dial 211 or visit 211.org:

  • Free, confidential referral service for financial help, housing, food, and more.

• Benefits.gov:

  • Centralized tool to see what federal/state assistance programs you might qualify for.

  • Use the Benefit Finder