Before we get to the list of financial assistance programs, I want to be very direct here.
Sometimes, life just hits you. Hard.
I’ve had days where I didn’t know how I was going to pay rent or where my next meal was coming from. It’s a heavy weight to carry, and it can feel like you’re completely alone.
You are not alone. And it is always okay to ask for help.
Knowing where to turn is the hardest part. The internet is full of scams and bad advice.
That’s why I built this page: a clean, simple, and direct list of legitimate, real places you can turn to when you’re struggling.
There are no affiliate links and no catches. This is just a tool for you to use to get back on your feet.
Let’s find the help you need.
A Quick Guide to Using This Resource
I know that looking for legitimate financial help when you’re in a crisis can be overwhelming.
Follow these quick steps:
- Start with your most urgent need. If you need food for tonight, go to that category first.
- Pick just one resource to start. Don’t try to call ten different places at once. Focus your energy.
- Be prepared. When you apply, you will likely need an ID, proof of address, and proof of income. Having these ready will make the process much smoother.
Hope this helps. You can do this.
In This Guide
🛒 Financial Help with Food & Groceries
When you’re struggling to make ends meet, putting food on the table is usually the most immediate stress.
The following are the largest federal programs and non-profits dedicated to providing emergency food assistance and helping with your monthly grocery bill.
Feeding America Food Bank Network
This is the largest network of food banks in the country. Their website has a simple locator tool to find a food bank right in your community for immediate assistance.
Find Help: feedingamerica.org/find-your-local-foodbank
SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program)
This is the official U.S. government program to help families afford groceries. It provides a monthly budget on an EBT card. You can find eligibility rules and apply through your state’s agency.
Find Help: fns.usda.gov/snap
WIC (Women, Infants, and Children)
WIC provides federal grants to states for supplemental foods, health care referrals, and nutrition education for low-income pregnant women, new mothers, and to infants and children up to age five.
Find Help: fns.usda.gov/wic
Meals on Wheels America
This is a nationwide network focused on addressing senior hunger and isolation. They provide nutritious meals to seniors, often delivered directly to their homes.
Find Help: mealsonwheelsamerica.org/find-meals
🏠 Assistance with Housing & Utility Bills
Keeping a roof over your head and the lights on is a fundamental need.
If you’re facing eviction, foreclosure, or a shut-off notice, these government and non-profit programs can provide emergency rent assistance and help you afford your monthly utility bills.
HUD (U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development)
HUD provides a wide range of housing support, from rental assistance programs to resources for avoiding foreclosure. Their site connects you with local counseling agencies.
Find Help: hud.gov/helping-americans
LIHEAP (Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program)
This program helps low-income households pay their heating and cooling bills. It can provide bill payment assistance and help with energy-related home repairs.
Find Help: acf.hhs.gov/ocs/low-income-home-energy-assistance-program-liheap
The Lifeline Program (FCC)
Lifeline is an FCC program that helps make communications services more affordable for low-income consumers. It provides a discount on phone or internet service.
Find Help: lifelinesupport.org
2-1-1 National Hotline
An easy-to-remember number that connects you with local community services, including assistance for housing, utilities, and emergency shelter.
Find Help: 211.org
National Council on Aging (NCOA) – BenefitsCheckUp®
This is a fantastic and free tool specifically for older adults. It helps find and enroll in federal, state, and local programs that can help pay for food, utilities, prescriptions, and healthcare. It’s a one-stop-shop for seniors to see what benefits they are eligible for.
Find Help: benefitscheckup.org
💳 Free Debt & Credit Counseling
It can feel like you’re drowning when you’re overwhelmed by credit card debt or collections calls.
These trusted, non-profit organizations offer free or low-cost counseling to help you create a real plan, consolidate your payments, and understand your legal rights.
NFCC (National Foundation for Credit Counseling)
The NFCC is the largest and longest-serving non-profit financial counseling organization. They offer free and affordable services from certified counselors to help with debt, credit, and budgeting.
Find Help: nfcc.org
AnnualCreditReport.com
This is the ONLY official, federally mandated source to get your free weekly credit reports from Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. Knowing where you stand is the first step.
Find Help: annualcreditreport.com
FTC (Federal Trade Commission)
The FTC’s consumer protection site has resources on dealing with debt collectors and recognizing credit scams. This is a place to learn your legal rights.
Find Help: consumer.ftc.gov/articles/debt-collection-faqs
📚 Financial Literacy & Education Programs
Part of getting back on your feet is having the right tools and knowledge.
I always say this; we need to teach at least the basics of personal finance in schools. It’s unfortunate how many people don’t even know the basics, like how to open a bank account or how their credit cards work.
Knowing even the basics things can help you manage tour money better.
These free government resources are designed to improve your financial literacy, helping you learn to budget, manage your money, and understand how to use the banking system effectively.
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB)
This is a U.S. government agency dedicated to making sure you are treated fairly by banks, lenders, and other financial companies. Their website has a huge, unbiased library of tools and resources to help you understand credit, debt, and your financial rights.
Find Help: consumerfinance.gov/consumer-tools/
FDIC – Money Smart Program
The FDIC provides the “Money Smart” program, a free and comprehensive financial education curriculum designed to help people of all ages enhance their financial skills and create positive banking relationships.
Find Help: fdic.gov/consumer-resource-center/money-smart
⚕️ Help with Medical Bills & Healthcare Costs
You don’t need me to tell you that our healthcare system in this country is a mess.
An unexpected medical bill can destroy a budget in an instant.
These programs are dedicated to helping people who are uninsured or underinsured find free or low-cost clinics, get help paying for prescriptions, and even receive major dental work for free.
NeedyMeds
A national non-profit that helps people find assistance programs to help them afford their medications and other healthcare costs. A great resource for finding patient assistance programs.
Find Help: needymeds.org
Hill-Burton Free and Reduced-Cost Health Care
This is a little-known program where a network of hospitals and other facilities are legally obligated to provide a certain amount of free or reduced-cost care to people who are eligible.
Find help: hrsa.gov/get-health-care/affordable/hill-burton
Find a Health Center
This is an official government resource for finding federally funded health centers in your area that provide comprehensive, culturally competent, quality primary health care services to medically underserved communities.
Find a Center: findahealthcenter.hrsa.gov
Dental Lifeline Network
This organization provides access to free, comprehensive dental treatment for people with disabilities, who are elderly, or who are medically fragile. They connect patients with a nationwide network of volunteer dentists.
Find Help: dentallifeline.org
💼 Job Search & Career Support
A stable job is the foundation of financial security.
If you’re unemployed or looking for a better-paying position, these free services can help you with job training, resume building, and connecting with local employers who are hiring right now.
CareerOneStop (U.S. Dept. of Labor)
Sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor, this is your entry point for finding local job centers (American Job Centers), exploring career paths, and getting job search help.
Find Help: careeronestop.org
Goodwill Career Centers
Beyond their retail stores, local Goodwill organizations offer free job training, resume help, and career coaching services to help people find work in their communities.
Find Help: goodwill.org/locator
📉 Navigating Unemployment Benefits
Losing your job is one of the most stressful things you can go through, and figuring out the unemployment system can feel overwhelming.
This section is designed to be your starting point.
It provides direct links to the official government resources you need to apply for benefits and understand your rights.
How to Apply for Unemployment Insurance (UI)
Unemployment Insurance is a joint state-federal program. This means that while the federal government provides guidelines, you must apply directly with the specific unemployment agency for the state where you worked. Be extremely careful of scam websites that look official; only use the links from the official Department of Labor website.
- Official Resource: dol.gov/general/topic/unemployment-insurance
What About Health Insurance? (Healthcare.gov)
Losing your job often means losing your health insurance, which can be terrifying. You have options. Losing your health coverage is considered a “Qualifying Life Event,” which means you can enroll in a new plan through the official Health Insurance Marketplace outside of the normal open enrollment period.
- Official Resource: healthcare.gov
Understanding Your Rights and Options
The rules around unemployment can be confusing. For a clear, easy-to-understand guide on everything from eligibility to what to do if you’re denied, the official Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) website is an incredible resource. It cuts through the legal jargon and gives you straight answers.
- Official Resource: consumerfinance.gov/about-us/blog/receive-your-unemployment-benefits-options
👪 Support for Children & Families
Providing for your children is your number one priority.
These federal and non-profit programs are specifically designed to help low-income families afford the high costs of childcare, diapers, and early childhood education
Head Start Program
Head Start programs provide comprehensive early childhood education, health, nutrition, and parent involvement services to low-income children and their families.
Find Help: acf.hhs.gov/ohs
Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF)
The CCDF program provides assistance to low-income families to help them afford childcare so they can work or attend school. The program is administered by states.
Find Help: childcare.gov/consumer-education/get-help-paying-for-child-care
National Diaper Bank Network
Diapers are a huge expense many programs don’t cover. This network helps you find a local diaper bank to get the supplies you need to keep your infant or toddler clean, dry, and healthy.
Find Help: nationaldiaperbanknetwork.org
⚖️ Free Legal & Tax Assistance
Dealing with legal issues or filing your taxes can be expensive and intimidating.
We all know our tax code makes it extremely complicated to file your taxes.
These government-sponsored programs connect you with free legal aid for civil matters and certified volunteers who can prepare your tax return for free.
Legal Services Corporation (LSC)
This is the largest funder of civil legal aid for low-income Americans in the country. Use their website to find a local legal aid office for help with non-criminal issues like housing, benefits, and more.
Find Help: lsc.gov/about-lsc/what-legal-aid/i-need-legal-help
VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance)
An IRS-sponsored program that offers free basic tax return preparation to qualified individuals, generally those who make $64,000 or less, persons with disabilities, and limited English-speaking taxpayers.
Find Help: irs.gov/individuals/free-tax-return-preparation-for-qualifying-taxpayers
AARP Foundation Tax-Aide
While focused on those over 50, AARP’s Tax-Aide program provides free tax assistance to anyone, regardless of age or AARP membership. They have thousands of locations nationwide, especially during tax season.
Find Help: aarp.org/money/taxes/aarp_taxaide
🧠 Mental Health Support Resources
Financial stress takes a huge toll on your mental health.
It’s okay to not be okay.
These free and confidential national helplines are available 24/7 to connect you with real people who can provide immediate support in a crisis.
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
This is a national network of local crisis centers that provides free and confidential emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You can call or text 988.
Find Help: 988lifeline.org
SAMHSA National Helpline
A free, confidential, 24/7 treatment referral and information service (in English and Spanish) for individuals and families facing mental and/or substance use disorders.
Find Help: samhsa.gov/find-help/helplines/national-helpline
NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness)
NAMI is a grassroots mental health organization providing advocacy, education, support, and public awareness. Their website can connect you to local chapters and support groups.
Find Help: nami.org/findsupport
⭐ Financial Assistance for Veterans
After serving our country, no veteran should struggle to make ends meet.
These organizations are specifically dedicated to providing veterans and their families with a wide range of financial assistance, benefits, and crisis support.
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
The primary resource for veterans, the VA offers a wide range of services including housing assistance, disability compensation, pensions, and educational programs.
Find Help: benefits.va.gov/benefits
Veterans Crisis Line
This is a free, confidential resource that veterans, service members, and their families can use when in crisis. It connects them with a real person qualified to support them. You can call or text 988 and press 1.
Find Help: veteranscrisisline.net
The American Legion – Temporary Financial Assistance
This program provides cash grants to minor children of eligible veterans to help meet the cost of shelter, food, utilities, and health expenses.
Find Help: legion.org/get-involved/community-programs/temporary-financial-assistance
🐾 Support for Pet Owners
Your pets are family, but vet bills and food costs can be a major strain on a tight budget.
These resources can help you find assistance programs to help you afford vet care and pet food so you don’t have to make an impossible choice.
Humane World for Animals (Formerly
Pets are family. The Humane World for Animals (yes it’s the new name for both The Humane Society of the United States and Humane Society International) maintains a comprehensive, state-by-state list of organizations that can help with the cost of pet food, spay/neuter services, and urgent veterinary care. You don’t have to choose between feeding your pet and paying a bill.
Find Help: humaneworld.org/en/resources/having-trouble-affording-your-pet
🆘 Emergency Disaster Relief
I hope you are never impacted by natural disasters, but if you are dealing with a natural disaster like a hurricane or wildfire strikes, there is immediate help out there.
These federal agencies and non-profits are the primary sources for getting emergency financial assistance for temporary housing, food, and other critical needs.
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
Following a federally declared disaster like a hurricane, flood, or wildfire, FEMA provides direct financial assistance to individuals and families to help with temporary housing, essential home repairs, and other serious disaster-related needs.
Find Help: disasterassistance.gov
The American Red Cross
The Red Cross provides immediate, on-the-ground support after disasters. This can include a safe place to sleep, food, water, and health services. They can also help families connect when they are separated.
Find Help: redcross.org/get-help.html
🛡️ How to Protect Yourself from Scams
Unfortunately, a lot of times, scammers target people who are in a vulnerable financial situation.
Knowing your rights and where to report fraud is your best defense.
These are the official government websites for reporting scams and protecting yourself.
Federal Trade Commission (FTC) – Report Fraud
If you have been the victim of a scam, this is the official government website to report it. Reporting helps law enforcement build cases against scammers and helps the FTC identify trends to warn others.
Find Help: reportfraud.ftc.gov
FBI – Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3)
The IC3 is the FBI’s central hub for reporting suspected online crimes, from phishing scams and identity theft to online predators and fake charities.
Find Help: ic3.gov
One Final Thought
I truly hope you never have to use any of these resources.
But most of us mere mortals go through ups and downs in life, especially as it relates to our personal finance.
I know, I have!
So if you are facing financial difficulties, please use these resources. They are there to be used.
And if you need help in more than one area of your life, don’t get overwhelmed. Don’t feel like you have to solve everything at once.
Pick just one of these resources, the one that provides the emergency financial assistance you need most, and make that single phone call or visit that single website.
Taking action, no matter how small, is how you start taking your power back. I’ve been there.
You can do this, and I am rooting for you.
