How to Get Free money for bills From Government In Financial Hardship Conditions – Financial hardship can be stressful and incredibly challenging. Free monetary assistance will provide a much-needed lifeline to individuals who are struggling to make ends meet. Fortunately, there are programs backed by government and nonprofit organizations for needy families and individuals. These grants cover bills and other expenses and enable people to get back on their feet.
No matter whether you need assistance to pay for utilities or access quality food these programs prove to be invaluable resources in times of crisis. This guide will discuss different government grants that provide free money for bills and personal use. Keep reading to learn more about grants and assistance programs that can help you in terms of your need.
Highlights of this Post
What Are The Different Types Of Free Grant Money From The Government?
Securing free government grant money to cover bills and personal expenses can be simple. There are various sources of free grant money provided by private organizations and government agencies in the following ways.
Housing Bills
The federal government through the Department of Housing and Urban Development provides a lot of assistance programs to reduce rent and housing expenses of low-income families.
The department provides a Public Housing Program, a Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program and many other assistance to subsidize rental charges for qualified families and enable them to remain housed.
Food or Grocery Bills
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program is designed for low-income families to cover their food or grocery bills. The assistance comes in the form of benefits cards that they can use at authorized markets or stores.
Medical Bills
Low-income families can reduce their medical bills through government and non-governmental organizations, for instance a federally funded Medicaid and Medicare program offers low-cost health insurance benefits. Nonprofits like Catholic Charities, Salvation Army and so on help low-income families to reduce their medical bills.
Water Bills
Low-income families can reduce their water and sewer bills by applying for the federally funded Low Income Household Water Assistance Program which offers grants of up to $5000 for eligible households.
Help With Utility At-Home Energy Bills
Free grant money is provided to low-income households to cover their energy bills such as the cost of electricity and gas. The Department of Health and Human Services provides free money to eligible state and local agencies so that qualified households can cover their utility bills and reduce their economic burden.
Home Repair Bills
There are federally funded programs like LIHEAP, and WAP that offer a free grant to low-income households to reduce their energy costs and also cover energy efficiency upgrades and home repairs.
Internet Bills
Free government money is provided through Affordable Connectivity Programs and Lifeline Program that provide low-cost or free Internet services to eligible low-income households in America.
What Are The Eligibility Criteria And Documents Required To Get Assistance With Bill Payment?
Individuals can qualify for free monetary assistance and cover their bills by fulfilling the following eligibility criteria.
- Be a citizen of the United States, permanent resident or qualified non-citizen
- Must meet the age and household income limitation of the program. Candidates need to have income below a specific percentage of the federal poverty level
- Have a valid Social Security number
Must demonstrate robust financial need such as risk of eviction, homelessness, housing instability, utility shutoff, unemployment, medical condition or disability etc.
- On fulfilling the aforementioned eligibility you need to submit relevant documents to the concerned authorities. These documents are as follows
- Proof of citizenship or legal immigrant status
- Government-issued photo IDs, driver’s licenses, passport
- Original birth certificate or school registration to verify your age
- Income verification documents such as tax forms, pay stubs, bank statements etc.
- Past due rent or utility bill, eviction notice, medical condition or disability or any other proof stating your dire financial condition.
What Are The Available Government Grants That Help To Pay Bills?
Following a list of resources from the government that low-income families and individuals can turn to in times of need to cover their bills.
Help With Housing Bills
Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing Program
Military service members, veterans and their families can receive help with eviction prevention services, rent assistance and utility and security deposit air through the Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing Program. They offer job placement, cash assistance and other supportive services to individuals who have served the country.
Emergency Food And Shelter Program
The Federal Emergency Management Agency manages the Emergency Food And Shelter Program and distributes funding to local and state governments so that low-income families and individuals can get food and shelter assistance and reduce their economic burden.
The eligibility criteria are based on income, family size and other factors. The program addresses the need for financial assistance and helps them with free money to cover utility bills, mortgage payments, rent cover childcare and transportation. The funding can also help to cover prescription and medical care costs.
U.S. Department Of Treasuries Emergency Rental Assistance Program
Low-income families who are unable to pay for their rent or utility bills and are in danger of utility shortage or eviction can contact the US Department of Treasury and apply for the Emergency Rental Assistance Program. The program served during the pandemic and is not available in all states however it is still operating in a few states.
To find out whether this program is available in your state you can visit the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s website or the U.S. Treasury website. Through this program, you get help with rent for several months and reduce your housing bill.
Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program
Individuals and families who are navigating financial hardship and are unable to cover their rent can apply for the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program which is sponsored by the Department of Housing and Urban Development and managed by local public housing authorities.
The program provides rental vouchers to candidates so that they can access safe, secure and decent dwellings by only paying 30% of their monthly income towards rent while the difference will be covered by HUD.
Single Family Housing Repair Grants And Loans Program
The Single-Family Housing Repair Grants and Loans Program also known as Section 504 Home Repair Program is for the senior citizens who are 62 years or above in age and helps them with home repairs or improvements the program offers grants up to $7500 and loans up to $20,000 at 1% interest rate for 20 year repayment period.
Senior citizens who are unable to make repairs or upgrades on their homes and want to remove safety or health hazards from their property can apply for this program.
To learn more about housing grounds that can help you in times of your need you can click here.
Help With Food Bills
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program
A safety net designed for low-income households in America is the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. Formerly known as Food Stamp the program issues an electronic benefits transfer card that works similar to a debit card and enables people to purchase healthy and nutritious food for their household at authorized stores in our market.
To be eligible for the program you need to meet the net and gross income limitation based on your household size.
WIC program
A short-term program that assists low-income mothers, pregnant women and their young children with healthy nutritious food is the WIC program. Economically challenged mothers, infants and children are covered under this program. The program also provides welfare, social service and health care programs to candidates.
Commodity Supplemental Food Program and Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program
The USDA-sponsored Commodity Supplemental Food Program and Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program are geared towards low-income senior citizens who are 60 years or above in age and unable to pay for their food bills and get a nutritious diet.
The program provides food assistance through coupons that seniors can use to buy fresh fruits or vegetables at local farmers’ markets and outdoor stand.
Help With Medical Bills
Medicare
The Medicare program is assigned by the federal government and consists of four parts: Part A, B, C &D. The program is designed to reduce the medical bills of low-income senior citizens in America and enable them to access quality health care services.
Medicaid
The joint state and federal-run Medicaid program covers low-income individuals and families and helps them reduce their bills by covering doctor’s visits, hospital services, drugs, nursing home care, X-rays and home services.
The program is geared towards low-income adults with children, pregnant women, disabled individuals, senior adults and so on. You can contact your local Medicaid office to learn how to apply for the program and reduce your medical debt.
Children’s Health Insurance Program
Children belonging to low-income families can get medical assistance under the Children’s Health Insurance Program. Families who earn too much to qualify for the Medicaid program can cover their children’s medical bills through their Children’s Health Insurance Program.
- The eligibility criteria of the program depend on your state and household income.
- To learn more about how to get help to reduce your medical bills click here.
- General Financial Assistance Program To Help With Bills
Temporary Assistance For Needy Families Program
Low-income families going through economic hardship can apply for the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program to attain self-sufficiency. Eligible households get monthly cash assistance to pay for their basic needs like food, shelter, clothing etc.
The amount of cash assistance that will help you to cover your bills will be based on your household income and family size. Apart from cash assistance the program also offers other supportive services like childcare support, employment and training programs and educational assistance to enable individuals to become self-sufficient.
To learn more about the eligibility criteria and application procedure you can contact your local or state agency.
Supplemental Security Income
The Social Security Administration manages the federally funded Supplemental Security Income to assist children and disabled adults with free money to cover their basic needs. The maximum monthly assistance received by a single person in 2023 is $914 while for a couple it is $1371.
Low-income households with few resources and low income can apply for the program to receive free money and fulfill their basic needs like food, clothing, shelter, childcare etc. Similar to SSI the Social Security Disability Insurance Benefits assist low-income individuals living with a disability with financial assistance to cover their basic needs.
Community Services Block Grant
The US Department of Health and Human Services administers the Community Services Block Grant Program that offers funding to state, and local government as well as nonprofit organizations so that low-income families and individuals can attend self-sufficiency.
With the help of the grant money, you can cover a lot of bills including utility, rent, transportation and healthcare. The program funds adult education, job training, energy, nutrition and daycare assistance. You can contact your local human service agency to learn more about this program.
Help With Utility and Internet Bills
The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program
A federally funded program known as the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program provides financial support to qualifying low or moderate-income households to cover their home energy or utility bills. This program is administered by the US Department of Health and Human Services and works to reduce home heating and utility bills.
To qualify for this program you need to meet the income criteria designed by HHS and make sure your energy provider is participating in the program. LIHEAP is an invaluable resource for struggling households who are unable to cover their utility or energy bills and are at risk of utility shutoff. The program provides a one-time payment that will cover a part or all of your energy bill.
The Weatherization Assistance Program
Another government-funded bill assistance program for low-income individuals and families in America is a Weatherization Assistance Program. This program aims to reduce home energy costs and offer free services like insulation, caulking, and weather striping to make property energy efficient.
To apply for the program you need to make sure you have household income at or below 200% of the federal poverty level and meet other additional requirements set by the U.S. Department of Energy.
The program assists individuals and families to save money by providing energy audits, replacement and repairs for windows, appliances or other imported energy-saving measures.
Lifeline Program
The federally funded Lifeline Program assists qualifying low-income customers with free or discounted landline or Internet services. The program assists every state, territory, commonwealth and tribal lands and helps to cover mobile or home phone services or high-speed broadband.
Eligible households get $9.25 each month to pay towards Internet or phone services. Even though the program will not cover all your Internet or phone bill it can help to offset the high cost. To qualify for assistance you need to make sure you have income below 135% of the federal poverty or you are a participant in other federal programs like Medicaid or SNAP.
Operation Roundup
Operation Round Up assists low-income families who are going through hardship and unable to cover their utility bills. The program covers energy costs. A lot of electric service providers and cooperatives are participating in this program to provide assistance for low-income families and help them with their utility bills.
Recommended: Free Heating Oil Voucher for low income
Help With Educational Bills
Federal Pell Grant
The federal Pell Grant provides financial assistance of up to $7395 to eligible low-income students who are earning a bachelor, graduate or professional degree and have a robust financial need. The program offers free monetary assistance so that students can attend college or trade school and pursue higher education.
Factors like expected family contribution, the status of students as full-time or part-time, cost of attendance determined by the school and their plans to attend the educational institution for a full academic year or less determine the amount of assistance they can receive. To cover your educational bills through this program you need to file FAFSA.
Other federal grants that cover educational bills and help to pay for your college fees are as follows
Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant
The Teacher Education Assistance For College And Higher Education Grant
The Iraq And Afghanistan Service Grant
You can use the US Department of Labor scholarship search tool to look for scholarships and grants that can help you reduce your educational bills.
Help With Childcare Cost
Childcare And Development Fund
The Childcare and Development Fund is geared towards low-income families who need financial assistance to pay for childcare services while they are attending work, school or training associated with employment.
The program is designed to ease the financial burden of low-income families and is administered by the Department of Health and Human Services. The program assists states, commonwealth and tribal land with free monetary assistance so that low-income families can cover childcare costs.
Head Start Or Early Head Start Program
Both the Head Start and the Early Head Start Program offer free or low-cost early childhood education, family involvement services and nutritious food for children up to five years of age and belonging to low-income families.
Help With Mortgage Or Down Payment
There are first-time home buyer programs, grants, mortgage and down payment assistance programs that will help you to fulfill your homeownership dream. You need to check with your county or city government office to learn about the available programs.
The US Department of Housing and Urban Development lists information about first-time home buyers and down payment assistance programs. For instance, HUD Home Equity Conversion Mortgage and Self-Help Homeownership Opportunity Programs. To learn more about mortgage grants or down payment assistance click here.
Conclusion
There are federal and state grants including help from non profit organizations for struggling families who want to make ends meet. The aforementioned resources provide free money to help families and individuals cover expenses like utilities, college tuition, groceries, medical bills, down payment and so on. Every program has its own set of qualifications, a lot of which are based on the income of applicants. The goal of these programs is to help families and individuals in need get back on their feet and provide them with financial independence.
You may also want to check our post about Emergency Financial Assistance to help you know about the available assistance programs and grants for the needy. Read more of our blogs at Get Government Grants.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is Government Free Money For Bills?
The government is now more active than before and also provides more financial grants to the people who are in need. Till now, the government gives free cash to people up to $162 million and provides help to every person who needs it. The government provides their help to many individuals and families and with the help of a federal grant, and it has gone to the needy families as temporary financial assistance.
How To Apply For Free Money For Bills?
Free money for bills are personal grants and you can apply for this grant and get a lot of help. For instance you can pay your bills (energy bill, water bill, and others) with the cash support. The most important thing is that you do not need to repay it back. To apply, contact your local government agency or local chapter of the non profit organization.