We often hear “I need money now” for rent, food or bills – not an easy situation to be in. See our advice below.

Emergency Rental, Food, and Bills Assistance Programs

How to get help with rent?

At times, many families find themselves homeless, or unable to continue to occupy the premises of their choice. This may be due to fire, accident, storms or many other causes, but often it is merely a problem in paying the rent. Illness that forces a breadwinner to stay home, or loss of a job; any and all of these conditions can put a family in need of temporary assistance to tide itself over until the members of the family find themselves again in a position to pay their own rent without the need of subsidising or other rental assistance.

Agencies have been set up in many parts of the country to help in this regard. Non-profit organizations, these charities, such as The Salvation Army, as well as some governmental agencies are often able to offer emergency rental assistance for families who are being evicted by a landlord, or who simply have no way to pay their rent at the moment. Realizing that landlords, despite the old cartoon imagery of a rich greedy person feeding off the work of renters, the vast majority of landlords are not really making a profit at all on the current tenant. This is only a stopgap so that the landlord may pay the monthly house payments in the hope of some future profit if housing increases in value some years later. If the tenant can’t pay the rent, the landlord may soon find himself in the same position with regard to the lender. Lenders do not want to hear sad stories.

Although these different programs for rental assistance may be available, much depends upon the funding at the moment. Some programs quickly run out of money and are simply unable at the moment to provide further help to persons in need of assistance.

The vast majority of families in need of temporary rental assistance are those to be found in the low-income range; seniors, disable persons and children are among those most often affected. Others too, faced at one point or another with a temporary emergency may qualify for assistance in these cases.

In most cases, those in need of longer-term assistance, persons who have not been gainfully employed for a considerable length of time with not prospects for the immediate future may not qualify for rental assistance under these temporary emergency programs.

Those more likely to receive aid are persons who are able to convince interviewers of their willingness to do what is necessary to get back on their feet along with the ability to do so. Since emergency funding is considered a short-term “fix” for a crisis situation, the grants may be only issued for a few days, perhaps to defray the cost of a motel room, pending the applicant’s ability to find other lodgings.

Therefore it is important, in most similar cases, for the applicant to show the interviewer the imminent possibility to become self-sufficient.

Most non-profit agencies as well as other agencies attempt to work closely with rental assistance applicants to help them with any additional support as needed depending upon each applicant’s situation. Often applicants are further given counseling and referrals to other agencies that may be more helpful to an applicant.

In such cases, any additional services rendered are free to the applicant in crisis. This may include lack of employment and such other problems that may arise such as medical emergencies. Most agencies participate in these endeavors as well as teaching applicants the processes involved in applying for governmental programs, immediate rehousing and how to apply for Section 8 vouchers as well as information about low income housing, and assistance in paying the security deposits that are almost universally demanded by today’s rental market.

Since the goal of all similar agencies to to render aid to persons in immediate need of emergency housing and other crisis situations, the funds issued to applicants for rent or other necessities is only meant to allow the applicant extra time to deal with the emergency. However, at the same time, applicants will normally be provided with support in the long term to guard against similar future emergencies.

If you have an eviction notice or expect to be unable to pay the rent in the immediate future, or even realize that you need to find less expensive living quarters, now is the time to apply for assistance. Often with early application, money may be available to catch up unpaid rent as well as other options that may be explained to you.

Assistance may also be available to help with the security deposit, the initial rents and even moving costs. In some cities non-profit agencies may offer other emergency assistance to those in crisis. These funds are normally paid out on a one-time basis. Depending upon the location, resources that may be in place for housing crisis families can be wide-ranging.

Potential applicants are advised to find the telephone numbers as well as any other information available to them and educate themselves about the different programs that may be able to help with emergency assistance.

Not only non-profit private agencies, but many governmental agencies, are able to provide interim assistance, depending on the locality. Massachusetts has a program called RAFT, while in Texas a rental assistance program called TDHCA is available. Florida has a similar program called EFAHP and in Connecticut their program is called RAP. Many other government programs around the country also offer assistance to pay rent or a portion of overdue rent in their ongoing efforts to reduce the growing threat of homelessness in their particular communities.

Another program, called the Federal Stimulus Program is a little-known program through which our federal government provides billions of dollars across the nation to provide rental assistance for qualified applicants. These funds have become invaluable to families that find it increasingly difficult to keep up with the rising costs of rent and other housing needs.

HUD the Housing and Urban Development, agency works throughout the country as well. A number of families approaching two million are able to use this program, a program that can not only help those in need to pay their rent and/or security deposits, but HUD can issue vouchers to provide temporary housing as well as providing assistance to senior citizens and the disabled to keep up with overdue rental payments.

These programs not only offer grants to help pay rent, but the government Rent Voucher Program aids applicants to seek housing in the privately owned housing market.

These agencies can, generally, offer legal advice to those facing eviction. Every year millions of people receive free legal advice and assistance to educate them with the eviction process and their rights as well as responsibilities. The government provides funded Legal Services Corp. which provides attorneys who may mediate a solution between landlord and tenants in addition to advising tenants of their rights as well as help them apply for Section 8 or other assistance and another positive aid they offer is help and counseling on housing discrimination.

Counseling may also be provided to help applicants apply for government and/or private grants. Money is available for many of these crisis situations.

It is the goal of these agencies to prevent evictions wherever possible. The federal government as well as the many non-profit private agencies strive wherever possible to help applicants remain in their current quarters without the fear of being summarily evicted. Often these agencies are able not only to prevent evictions, but subsequent lawsuits that may be brought against a tenant. Alternatively, the agency may be able to find more suitable and affordable housing for an applicant facing eviction.

Many churches too offer funds that can help those in short-term financial difficulties. United Way and The Salvation Army are only two of the better-known charitable institutions that may be able to offer help when needed. Generally they give priority to those living in apartments and facing short-term financial crises.

A good number of other national and local charities are ready to help with the expenses of rent and other essential needs as well as providing case management and many other social services. No all charities have ready money all the time, but even those may be able to help by helping an applicant with information about other resources and assistance in applying for free grants to pay overdue rent.

Other agencies that often provide help might be, for example, Catholic Charities, Social Service Offices, United Way, the American Red Cross, the Legal Aid Society and as mentioned earlier, The Salvation Army. Aside from these examples there exist many other emergency aid agencies for those who are able to become informed.

While most of these programs provide only short-term emergency aid, they are designed for the most part to tide a family over until a longer-term solution becomes available. Often these same agencies will be able to direct qualified applicants to resources that may assist them in finding an apartment or house for more permanent security.

It is important however, during these times of crisis, to keep in touch with creditors and the applicant’s current landlord so they understand what you are doing and what you expect to accomplishment. It is important that the applicant be extremely honest with everyone about the situation and it may sometimes be possible to have monthly payments temporarily lowered, or even be allowed to skip a monthly rental payment. Other plans may be devised and put into place to avoid being evicted.

It is well-understood that not only landlords but other creditors too are much more willing to cooperate with persons who are up-front with them, honest in their discussions and show a willingness to cooperate and do whatever they can to improve with situations.

How to get help with bills?

Ask The Energy Company

if energy bills are the source of the hardship, then the energy providers’ own in-house programs are often the quickest way to help rearrange and meet repayments.

LIHEAP: Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program

This national program’s focus is on subsidies for repairs, weatherproofing and utility bills that families cannot afford to pay.

LIHEAP covers any energy related home repairs for low-icome families, including seasonal expenses like air cooling systems and winter heating bills. The local LIHEAP office is the first point of contact for those in need of energy or utility assistance. Eligibility varies from state to state.

WAP: Weatherization Assistance Program

The WAP is a federal grant organized by the Department of Energy that helps needy families improve their homes’ energy efficiency, and has assisted over 7 million households across many states, territories and Native American tribes since its inception in 1976.

According to the DOE guidelines, a household with anyone over 60 is eligible for the WAP, as are legally recognized disabled people. Most states make families with children eligible, and the website for the WAPTAC (Weatherization Assistance Program Technical Assistance Center) can advise others if the grants are available in their area, and whether they qualify.

LifeLine Assistance: Free Cell Phones

Americans in need of a cell phone plan but without the means to maintain one can get assistance from LifeLine Assistance‘s free phone program. This is indeed a lifeline as daily life and business in particular is practically impossible without a mobile phone.

LLA is an FCC mandated scheme offering a free cell phone with at least 250 monthly minutes included. It’s available in the 49 states, Washington DC and Puerto Rico, and typically requires a household income below 135% of Federal Poverty guidelines. For some states it is below 150%. Eligibility varies across participating states, with slightly different rules around qualifying income.

Other sources of help are available at state government level, or many national and local non-profit and charity organizations, and the energy companies themselves.

How to get Food For Free?

It doesn’t always require money to eat, and there are many ways to gain free food without adding to your debts or joining the 10% of Americans who have resorted to shoplifting. Ask people you know, or traders and restaurant and store owners.

Above all it’s important to explain why you are asking for food: because you can’t afford to eat. And not to be critical about what food you eat. Without a certain amount of money, there is no longer the choice of what to eat. So meat may become harder to get or if meat’s all that’s on offer and you are a vegetarian, it’s best to accept it with thanks.

Grow Your Own, Share With The Community

The most sustainable – and satisfying – way to provide free food for yourself is to grow it, and you can start with just seeds if you live in the country or with just a small space in the city. Guerrilla gardening is an interesting urban option, more organised community gardens and allotments can share space and expertise for growing, and seed swapping communities among gardeners are a good source of materials and encouragement.

Ask A Farmer

Out in the sticks there won’t be the option of stores and restaurants as a source of food, but ask any farmer and there’ll be some left on the fields that they didn’t or can’t sell. Many will let you pick these leftovers.

Food Banks

A rapidly growing movement in the United Kingdom and US is the organized and charitable distribution of food to those who can’t afford it. Most of the food is donated, and food banks are one of the easiest ways to obtain some nutritious food. Many banks have conditions for who they can give food to, but there is no need to be ashamed about visiting one.

Links to Food Banks in various countries

United States /United Kingdom /Austalia /Canada /Ireland /New Zealand /South Africa

Offers and coupons

Online and direct from the stores, many coupons are available to promote new products. And companies across the United States send out free samples of new products. They’re unlikely to provide a healthy, balanced diet on their own but could supplement free food from other sources.

Waste Food

In an affluent country there is an abundance of unsold or waste food, and a little social interaction and resourcefulness can unlock access to a surprising amount of it.

Ask at the market

Often around closing time, stall holders will sell off any remaining stock for next to nothing, and it’s always worth telling them you have no money and asking if they’ll give you something for free. You can often pick up some fruit or salad, and if they can’t offer anything, thank them anyway and ask at another stall.

Free Supermarket Food

Ask at the big stores and you’ll be too far down the chain of command: “My boss doesn’t allow us to do that” will be the usual answer. So smaller supermarkets and neighborhood stores are a better option, where you can talk to that boss. You may find warmth and generosity among Muslims and immigrants to the West who run stores.

Restaurant Leftovers

It requires some patience, a little nerve and a bit of practice, but it’s possible to get free, professionally prepared food, even a table to sit and eat it at. Restaurant districts in cities are obviously the best place to try this, and expect a success rate around 5%, so it requires persistence, but will sharpen your bargaining skills, and who knows where else that could lead?

Turn up at a restaurant after the busiest time but not too late, and explain that you have no money and ask if they have some left overs in the kitchen. It can help to have a container such as a plastic box ready in case they do have something, and if they’re friendly and can’t offer anything the first time, maybe they can put something aside the next day.

Searching and Foraging

It grows on trees, on the ground and some seasons there’ll be abundant fruit and tasty plants such as dandelions or chickweed. Even cities can produce some tasty wild food, and anyone near downtown Seattle has access to America’s first Food Forest in a major city.

Dumpster Diving

Growing media coverage of the colossal food wastage at supermarkets and restaurants has made it much less weird, and more popular, to search through the dumpsters in search of some quality food to turn into a meal.