Can You Get Financial Assistance for Your Bills?

With inflation raging out of control and at its highest in a generation, there is tremendous pressure on families and people nationwide.

Sometimes there are bills to pay and not enough money to pay them. And if you have credit problems, oh boy!

What are some options or financial tips if you find yourself in this situation?

The 2-1-1 Hot Line

The 2-1-1 hotline is a confidential line created by the United Way to help you find local agencies or businesses in your area to assist you. Not all these resources are available in every area, but if you can’t find what you are looking for with a simple Google search, you should try 2-1-1. This line can connect you to resources like:

• Food and Nutrition programs
• Housing and aid for shelter
• Healthcare
• Job assistance
• Help drug or alcohol addicts
• Support groups for mental illness or disabilities

Where to Get Help for Paying Your Bills?

Utilities

Losing access to your utilities can be a disaster. Not having heat during the winter or air conditioning in hot summer months can affect your health or even be life-threatening. Phone service is a must in today’s world. But there are programs to help with utilities.

Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program is a federally funded program that helps with bills for people in need. They will help pay some bills to stay cool in the summer and warm in the winter. You can learn more about their actions from your state’s LIHEAP office.

Lifeline is a government program to provide low-income families to have phone service. It is available to low-income families. The program can include internet and phone access.

Your local utilities can also help. Call them and explain your situation. Many utilities will work with you on your payment until you are back on your feet. They may also refer to utility assistance programs that can help you out.

Food

SNAP is the federal government’s program to help needy families get healthy foods for their families. Once called the food stamp system, this is now an electronic card like a debit card to help buy food. You must meet the criteria to participate in this program. More information is on the USDA website.

SFSP is another USD program aimed at helping children get food. This is the Summer Food Service Program. It is a federally funded program that aims to get nutritious meals and snacks to children with low income during the summer when school is not in session. More information is on the USDA website.

Soup Kitchens are a possible source of food. Churches and nonprofits operate many soup kitchens to help homeless or low-income families.

Local Food Banks are all over the country. These are places you can go and grab food at no cost. Most of them are run by local nonprofits.

Feeding America Network is the largest food bank in the country. It helps feed 1 in 7 Americans each year. If you are in need and searching for food, the Feeding America Network can help.

Health Care

Medicaid & Chip. Two programs can help out with healthcare costs. There is Medicaid, which is for low-income families and children. The other is CHIP, which stands for Children’s Health Insurance Program. It is for young children, but the parent’s income is not low enough for Medicaid. These two programs help pay for and assist in the cost of health care for lower-income families and individuals.

ACA. The Affordable Care Act is another program that can help you get cheaper health insurance. It provides subsidies for people applying for healthcare. The lower your income, the more of a subsidy you can get. You can apply for this on HealthCare.gov.

Consider Generic Drugs that are much cheaper than brand names. For example, Tylenol is just acetaminophen. Most drug stores sell generic acetaminophen.

Childcare & Education

Office of Childcare is a federal program that works on improving access to quality childcare and afterschool programs for children. 
TANF is the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families. It is a federal program that aims to help low-income families to become self-sufficient. They give temporary monetary support to families in times of crisis.

Head Start is a federal program to promote school readiness in infants, toddlers, and preschool children in low-income families. They work on the children's early development, healthy habits, and well-being.

Final Takeaway

Many things may happen when you have less money than needed to pay your essential bills. It can be a stressful time for you and your family. The good thing is many different programs can help with bills.

Financial assistance may not be something you want, but it can make a big difference when you need it most. 

If you have an immediate, urgent cash shortage and have explored all other options, you may consider an online loan or an online payday loan.

The process can be done 24/7 and 365 days a year in just minutes, and most people qualify even if they have credit issues. Need cash now? 

FaaastCash has been connecting direct lenders and people in need for years. With over 100 direct lenders, we work hard to give you the best chance of getting your request approved and funded quickly.