If you need help with bills, contact a charity

 

If you need help with paying your rent or bills, including your electric or heating bills, you can look into the following local and national charities and non-profit organizations. A number of other services may be provided by a charity, including free food, housing, basic needs such as clothing, and much more. Various programs and services are offered by charities, as noted below. Unfortunately the resources available from these organizations tends to be limited, and only a certain number of people can be assisted. This is mostly due to the high demand placed on the charities. Much of the aid is focused on people who are most at risk. This can include senior citizens, families with very young children, and the disabled. Even if a charity or non-profit can’t meet your needs, ask them for referrals. Or maybe they have a waiting list that you can sign up for.

 

National charities and organizations

 

In addition to the resources below, find a comprehensive listing of national charity organizations that offer aid and help in all states. You can receive help with paying for utility bills, medical expenses, rent, food, prescription medicines, job training, and many other types of financial aid Catholic Charities is a network of churches and social service agencies. The organization will assist those that qualify, regardless of their religion, race, gender, or age. They focus on reducing poverty and strengthening families. Food, housing, emergency financial aid, clothing, holiday assistance and much more is offered. Learn more on assistance programs from Catholic Charities. Charity health care services may be provided. Many hospitals, doctors, and medical providers offer some form of free medical or dental care to the very low income or uninsured. Click more free medical care. Churches provide a wide variety of assistance, including rent help, food, assistance with paying utility and heating bills, health care, and more. Many churches are increasing their aid programs in today’s difficult economy.

 

 Community Action Organizations are local public and/or non-profit groups that provide various types of assistance to those in need. They can help with heating and utility bills, provide job training, rent payments, and various other services. More.

 

Episcopal Church - This is a national organization, but the services run by each local parish vary. The charity supports the vulnerable and families living in poverty. Volunteers can provide basic needs such as personal hygiene items, clothing, hot meals, or food. Some of the parishes of this charity may also have more extensive support, even involving health clinics held by volunteers or loans to use for car repairs. 

 

International Association of Jewish Free Loans - Regardless of religion, this charity organization can provide borrowers with access to funds for addressing an emergency. The loans will be interest free, which means there are no financing charges. The assistance from the non-profit can be used to pay for emergencies such as rent, car repairs, utility bills, housing, and medical expenses. 

 

Love Inc. is a national, faith based charity. Each local center will partner with dozens of churches, non-profits and religious groups in an effort to help families that are facing a one time crisis with basic needs or overdue bills. Clients can receive referrals to resources such as food, Christmas and holiday programs, or clothing. Some Love charity locations may also coordinate emergency financial assistance for expenses such as rent, car repairs, or energy bills. 

 

Lutheran Social Ministry provides a number of social services to the elderly, low income, poor, unemployed, and disabled. The non-profit charity organization partners with community organizations and local municipalities to coordinate services. While the types of assistance provided vary by location, some charity sites will have food, emergency financial assistance, coordinate housing, funds for energy bills, and provide other support. 

 

Mortgage help is also offered by various agencies, charities, and government programs. This will usually include free counseling, referrals, and assistance in applying for state or federal government sponsored mortgage assistance programs.

 

Non-profit credit counseling agencies operate in many cities and counties. These organizations will usually charge clients a small fee for their services. However, if your income is low enough, then the debt reduction and other financial services may be offered for free, as a charity type service. Find a listing of free or low cost non-profit credit counseling agencies.

Payday loans (or lower cost Salary Advance Loans) can provide you with cash overnight. Some non-profits work closely with credit unions and other lenders to provide short term cash. However this should always be looked upon as a last resort.

 

Or read about ways to get help with paying for prescription drugs or receive free medication. Hospitals, pharmaceutical companies and clinics offer income qualified patients with so called charity care or other forms of financial aid for paying for their medications.

 

Many charities are involved in applying for private and government grants. While the money may be used to pay for their own operations, sometimes they know of other programs for individuals. Get information on grants to help with paying bills.

 

Referrals may be offered. Contact a non-profit or charity in order to find information on governmentassistance programs offered by your state. Social workers and volunteers at many charities contain a wealth of knowledge on local resources. In many cases, government grants are provided to help fund local charities and non-profits.

 

 

Saint Vincent De Paul - Tens of thousands of volunteers, or Venetians, work with this charity organization. They provide basic needs such as food and clothing, access to thrift stores, and more. As a last resort, when a family is in a crisis, limited financial assistance for paying bills (such as utilities or rent) may be offered. However that is very limited. 

 

Salvation Army Centers - They operate from thousands of centers across the nation. The organization tries to feed the hungry, fight poverty, provides limited financial aid for bills in a crisis, and more. Case managers from the charity try to help people overcome their challenges. .

 

The Assistance League - This charity has hundreds of centers. While each location offers different resources and direct financial assistance is not usually available, they can generally help with the following. Call the charity for information on free school clothing and supplies, holiday gifts and meals, basic medical care, assistance for seniors or children and other aid.

 

The Jewish Federation of North America works with hundreds of charities across the nation. Regardless of an individuals religion, they generally assist the less fortunate, unemployed, and elderly. Basic needs such as meals, eviction prevention, and utility assistance may be offered for a crisis. Other programs include education, case management, and job search assistance.

 

The Urban League assists the underserved and working poor. The focus of this non-profit charity organization is on providing clients with jobs, educational opportunities, affordable housing, and also ensuring that people have access to medical care. 

 

United Methodist Church provides help to the working poor from thousands of locations across the nation. While the specifics of each site will vary, the charity will generally offer free food and clothing as well as basic needs. Some of the churches that are part of UMC may offer shelter, school supplies, and help for the evicted and homeless. Other aid is offered as well from the non-profit charity ministry. 

 

Volunteers of America provides human services nationwide. Most of the assistance is focused on homeless prevention and healthcare issues. Some of the other programs include job training, help for veterans, long term care, short term shelter, and much more. Volunteers from the charity support the elderly, less fortunate, and others that are struggling. 

 

YMCA - This charity focuses on children, addressing hunger, and coordinating job training. Some of what may be offered, depending on location and state, includes affordable day care, free meals and snacks for children, job search assistance, and after school programs and care. The YMCA has charity centers in all states. 

 

State specific organizations and charities

 

In addition to the statewide charities, many counties have county and local non-profit agencies that can be called upon in your time of need. Other local charity organizations can provide aid just to people in that town or county. Find a listing of local agencies. 

 

Community action agencies are local non-profit organizations that provide struggling families as well as low and middle income people with resources, programs, grants, and other assistance. They provide both long term and short term help. Community action agencies are a tremendous resource to use for help.

 

There are numerous charities and assistance organizations that operate only in one state. These groups can provide various types of assistance, including help with utility bills, medical bills, and other types of aid. Find the charities that can help in your state. 

 

 

State and local charities and organizations that provide help

 

Find local organizations and local charities, including at the state and county levels, that can help you with paying bills and debt. Find help with electric bills, food assistance, and other aid. In addition to the charities and organizations listed below.

 

• Find assistance programs offered from your local and state government agencies, including rent assistance, mortgage and foreclosure help and more.

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• Your local community action agency may also be another place to turn to for aid. Many of these organization administer energy assistance and weatherization programs, provide rent assistance, and more.

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Alaska - General Relief Assistance (GRA)

GRA will provide for many of the basic needs of Alaskans who are not eligible for other state assistance programs. Some of the help offered includes help with utility bills, shelter, limited assistance for clothing, food, transportation, medical expenses and burial.

 

Arizona - Home Energy Assistance Fund

This assistance program provides help to families who are undergoing financial hardship. Grants are provided to help pay overdue utility bills, and the funds can also be used to prevent potential electric or gas service shutoffs. Families can receive anywhere from $500 - $1000 for aid.
 

Colorado - Energy Outreach Colorado

This energy assistance program is dedicated to the efficient delivery of low cost energy assistance. The program provides both energy conservation and energy education for lower income, or struggling households. This aid will help those families maintain their self-sufficiency and well being.

 

Connecticut - Operation Fuel

This program provides emergency energy bill assistance to families who either do not qualify for, or have used up, all of their government assistance. Most of the clients of this group are not poor enough to receive government aid but, only because of a recent crisis in their lives, cannot make ends meet and need short term help. 860-243-2345

 

Georgia

 

Illinois

 

Indiana - Winter Assistance Fund
The Winter Assistance fund helps families who are not eligible for any other types of energy assistance programs. 317-923-1466

Louisiana - Outreach Center 
This organization provides a variety of aid including job training, emergency shelters, and job placement, transportation, food and clothing distribution, transitional housing, financial assistance and grants to help with bills, life skills training, holiday meals, and toy distribution.

 

Maryland - Fuel Fund 
The Fuel Fund of Maryland provides support and aid to vulnerable Maryland families to help them pay for heat and home utility needs. 410-821-3022

 

Massachusetts

 

Michigan

 

Minnesota

 

Nebraska - Pennies For Power

This fund will help struggling individuals and families pay energy bills. It will provide emergency aid, help fix heating and cooling equipment, and may pay for energy saving home improvements. 1-888-890-9569

 

Nevada - Project REACH (Relief through Energy Assistance to Prevent Customer Hardships)

A program that was created to help vulnerable adults over the age of 62, medically fragile people, seniors who are isolated, and to also aid deployed reserve and National Guard members in need of emergency energy assistance. 455-7051 
 

Nevada - Special Assistance Fund for Energy (SAFE) 

An assistance program for low-income customers, and it is administered by Community Services Agency. 775-882-8448

 

New Jersey

 

New York

 

North Carolina

 

Ohio

 

Oregon - Oregon HEAT

This organization is a statewide fund that was designed to prevent disconnection of utility service during inclement weather by providing heating and utility bill payment assistance to low income households in emergency situations. Oregon HEAT works closely with social service, charities, and other agencies across the state to review requests for assistance from customers of PGE, Pacific Power, and West Oregon Electric Cooperative. Oregon HEAT also has a recovered oil program and the program will help households pay for all fuels such as propane, gas and wood. 503-612-3790

 

 

Pennsylvania

 

Rhode Island - Good Neighbor Energy Fund

This fund is available to any families in Rhode Island who are experiencing a temporary financial difficulty and therefore can’t pay their energy bills, and it can also help those who have not qualified for or received any other energy assistance funds. 401-421-0956
 

 

Rhode Island - UniBank Fuel Assistance Fund 
Grants may be available to help families who do not qualify for other aid under traditional income guidelines. Assistance may also be provided to those who can’t afford the standard 100-gallon minimum delivery amount, and also to people who may have already reached their annual maximum for other fuel oil benefits. 508-754-1176

 

South Carolina

 

Texas

 

Virginia

 

Washington

 

West Virginia - Utility Assistance Program - Dollar Energy Fund

This charity program was created to assists with paying residents heating, gas, electric and water bills. A one time cash grant is paid. Aid is available if the applicant is not eligible for any other aid programs. (800) 683-7036

 

Wisconsin - Keep Wisconsin Warm Fund (KWWF)

KWWF is a community based aid program that was created to meet the need for energy bill assistance to low income people.