<img height="1" width="1" style="display:none;" alt="" src="https://ct.pinterest.com/v3/?tid=2613570466604&pd[em]=&noscript=1" /> Skip to Content

197 Emergency Financial Assistance Resources

Emergency financial assistance programs and financial help for families in need are there for a reason – let me show you how to get the emergency financial help that you need.

Anyone who has found themselves in an emergency situation – with little money to pay for it – knows fear.

worried husband and wife with bill on phone, text overlay "197+ emergency financial resources"

And financial stress.

Financial security is a basic human need, and when you have a family you’re also supporting, not being able to pay your bills after a natural disaster, or being unable to make your rent payment, or any other number of emergencies can quickly bring you to your breaking point.

I often get emails from people desperate to get:

  • financial help for families in need
  • emergency rental assistance
  • grants for single moms
  • emergency financial relief
  • etc.

So, I decided to create this epic resource guide for how to find the urgent financial assistance you need.

First up, we’ll discuss how you can qualify for emergency cash assistance. Then, we’ll dive into specific forms of emergency help with money that you can apply for.

And stick around to the end, when I go through ways you can get cash from your own resources in case you don’t qualify for any of resources listed below.

How Often is this Article Updated? Great question – especially in these times, when things are changing so quickly, and so constantly. I'm updating this article once per month with both new resources I find, plus notes when a specific resource has run out of funds/is no longer accepting applications. Help me out by leaving a comment with resources you find! I read each one.

How Do I Qualify for Emergency Cash Assistance?

Wondering how to get emergency financial assistance?

Qualifying for emergency cash assistance can be based on several things:

  • What kind of emergency you’re facing.
  • What your income is (usually within a percentage of the federal poverty guidelines).
  • Your ability to be able to “get back on your feet” and pay your bills after you've been given the assistance (this varies from program-to-program, fyi).
  • Your ability to prove you have been affected by the current disaster.

Each program below has it's own, specific qualifications you'll need to meet — so be sure to click through for more information.

In the meantime, let’s go over the different categories of emergency cash assistance from organizations that help pay bills so that you get a better understanding of the types of aid you can qualify for:

  • Housing Emergencies: Emergency rental assistance and grants available for people facing Notice of Evictions, pending homelessness, and even help with paying the security deposit/first month’s rent on a new apartment. Rent grants are just like any other type of grant – they do not need to be repair, and they’re just for a set period of time (or a set amount of money).
  • Utility Emergencies: Emergency utility bill assistance can help in cases where your utilities are going to be shutoff (or are already shutoff) due to not paying your bills. Make sure you apply for the Affordable Connectivity Program (see here if you qualify) for help with internet costs.
  • Medical Emergencies: People face medical emergencies every day, and can need help both in paying huge sums of money to get the treatment they need to extend their life, and in paying medical bills in collection after the fact. In fact, medical bankruptcies account for 66.5% of all bankruptcies filed in the U.S.
  • Natural and Emergency Disasters: Hurricanes, flooding (here's an in-depth guide to flood insurance), tornadoes, tidal waves, earthquakes, mudslides, storms, explosions, etc. are natural disasters that can cause the need for emergency financial assistance. If it’s a major event that occurs, affecting many lives, then oftentimes a Disaster Declaration will be made so that emergency funds can be released from the government to help family’s immediate financial and life needs. The two types of disaster declarations are emergency declarations and major disaster declarations. For example, after Hurricane Harvey hit Houston, the President declared a major disaster declaration. Part of that resulted in the release of flood emergency housing assistance from FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency).

Now, it’s time to dive into actual resources for each of these types of emergencies, whether you're looking for one time financial assistance or ongoing help.

I’ll provide both national resources that you can apply for no matter where you live, plus emergency financial assistance for the 10 most populated cities in the U.S.

Psst: you'll also want to check out these family emergency binder free printables. My article on ways to earn extra cash from home can help bring in extra cash. And if you're unemployed? You'll want to check out my article on how to survive unemployment.

Unemployment During National Emergencies (Including for Self-Employed People)

When there are national emergencies, the unemployment rate may go up. If you find yourself being laid off or otherwise unemployed, then you definitely want to apply for unemployment assistance.

But what happens if you work for yourself, or you're a freelancer, or you otherwise don't qualify for unemployment?

First, apply for unemployment assistance through the regular channel. Here's where you can find how to apply for unemployment in your state. This is also a breakdown of how to apply by each state.

Then if you're denied, AND if a major disaster has been declared, you can apply for Disaster Unemployment Assistance.

In their own words, this type of assistance is:

“available to states, local, tribal, and territorial governments to provide unemployment benefits and reemployment services to individuals who have become unemployed as a result of a Presidential disaster declaration approved for Individual Assistance (IA) and who are not eligible for regular State Unemployment Insurance (UI).”

“Applications for Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) must filed by an individual within 30 days of the announcement of the availability of DUA in the state. Individuals must follow the instructions in the announcement and file for DUA based on the filing methods used by the state (i.e. in person, mail, telephone, or internet).”

Restaurant and Bar Workers

Also, you might want to check out this guide on how to deal with student loans during this current disaster we're in.

Finally, you can get pro bono (free) financial planning help (no strings attached). Here's a list of trained, certified professionals who can help you navigate this time.

Small Business – Where to Go for Financial Help

If you're a small business with employees (including yourself), you want to look at these emergency relief programs right now.

The programs are:

Food Emergency Assistance

Do you need help with finding food?

The USDA created this national database to help you find USDA's Meals for Kids near you. You can use this program, even if schools are closed right now.

Also, get in touch with USDA's Hunger Hotline for help with sourcing food near you. It's operated by Hunger Free America. Call 1-866-3-HUNGRY or 1-877-8-HAMBRE (for Spanish) from Monday through Friday (between 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. ET).

Use the Range App to find free meal sites in your area.

Apply for virtual food assistance (having the food delivered TO you) through Full Cart. If you qualify, then you'll receive a food pack sent to your door.

Core foods include things like:

  • Lentils
  • Oatmeal
  • Pasta
  • Sun butter
  • Fresh produce
  • etc.

The Social Care Network connects people to programs that can help with finding food, medical needs, housing, etc.

Finally, check in with your local United Way for help with food, shelter assistance, and more.

Here are links to find local food banks near you. And if you qualify for SNAP benefits? Be sure to download use their Fresh EBT app on your phone. You'll be able to check your balance on your phone, get coupons to use, and even find job opportunities.

The GOODS Program distributes food, essential supplies, clothing, housewares, toys, and more to pets and people. They have ambassadors across the nation.

Housing Emergency Fund Assistance – Emergency Rental Assistance and Grants

If you’re facing an eviction, or have already been evicted (with either a 3-day Eviction Notice or a 30-day Eviction Notice), then you’ll want to go through the resources below as soon as possible to get the emergency financial assistance you need.

Heads up: the Supreme Court struck down the federal moratorium on evictions in August of 2021. Find local and municipality eviction moratorium information here.

Note: There are several emergency housing assistance resources available to everyone, nationally. But to be honest, if you are in an emergency situation (like about to be evicted), I would try local help, first, or the national charities. I say this because many of these national government programs have wait times, whereas the local programs (some of which are listed below) can get you financial help for renters and homeowners more urgently.

National Resources for Emergency Housing Assistance

A great place to start your search is through 211.org, which will locate local sources of utility emergency assistance needs for you.

Your local United Way is a good place to check out for help with housing.

JustShelter.org has a listing of emergency housing assistance, broken down by area.

Did you know that your local chapter of the Salvation Army can help with a one-time rental assistance program an emergency? Emergency assistance from your local Salvation Army can help with rent/mortgage, utility bills, medicine, food, clothing, transportation, and more.

Catholic Charities USA also provides housing assistance throughout the U.S., and you can find the nearest one near you here.

You can apply for a Modest Needs Self-Sufficiency Grant.

Social Care Network connects people to programs that can help with finding food, medical needs, housing, etc.

You can also contact your local YWCA (click “find your YWCA” in menu in upper right hand of page), which help with things like homelessness, housing equity, and housing assistance for women, children, and their families.

It depends on what your local YWCA can offer, but here are some examples:

  •  30-day Emergency Shelter
  • Transitional and Bridge Housing
  • Single Room Occupancy
  • Permanent Housing for Persons with Disabilities
  • etc.

You want to contact the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for help with mortgage advice (it says little or no cost to you, so there could be a fee to help with this).

To help with avoiding a foreclosure, you’ll want to contact Hud.gov to hear about the various modification and refinancing options you have to bring your mortgage payment down. Unemployed? You can contact the Home Affordable Unemployment Program to see if you can have a temporary reduction or suspension of your mortgage payments (for at least 12 months), or the FHA Special Forbearance program if you have an FHA loan.

Finally, even though it’s not an emergency assistance program, it’s worth noting that the Wells Fargo NeighborhoodLIFT program – which gives people up to $15,000 for a down payment and closing costs – is available in Philadelphia, Houston, and the San Francisco Bay Area ($25,000 assistance available in this market).

National Resources for Rental Assistance

Hud.gov also offers a low-rent search assistance tool. You can find rental assistance programs near you using this search tool.

You can receive reduced rents in an apartment by applying through HUD.gov, or low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities may be able to get public housing at a reduced cost.

The Rural Rental Assistance Program helps low-income families whose rent exceeds 30% of their income to get an apartment at a reduced rate.

Psst: Wondering can you negotiate rent with your landlord or even apartment complex management company? Yep – you can. Definitely check out my article on 9 (tested) strategies for negotiating rent.

Specific Major City Resources for Emergency Housing Assistance

If you live in one of the 10 most populated cities in the U.S., then check below for specific, local resources to help you with your financial help for renters and to help with your housing situation. These include non profit organizations that help with bills.

Psst: Are you NOT in one of the 10 most populated cities? Then check out this listing of housing assistance facilities, broken down by state.

New York City: New York City government has rental assistance programs specifically to help people move from shelters into their own home. You’ll want to go through The Department of Social Services and the Department of Homeless services to see if you qualify. You can also apply for rental assistance through a Homebase or Housing Assistance Program (HAP) location (specifically, there’s a CityFHEPS program). Low-income renters can also get free legal assistance when dealing with landlord issues. The Center for Urban Community Services offers assistance, such as transitional housing, and there’s also the Family Eviction Prevention Supplement and Emergency Cash Grants for emergency housing assistance. Also, give the Living in Communities (LINC) a try, because they help subsidize monthly rent payments for low income families, and victims of domestic abuse.

Los Angeles: Check with the Department of Public Social Services for rent assistance (they have a Moving Assistance Program, 4-Month Rental Assistance Program, Temporary Housing Assistance Program, and the Emergency Assistance to Prevent Eviction – EAPE – program, and others), as well as PATH Beyond Shelter, and Volunteers of America of Los Angeles. You can also contact Angelic Assistance (phone number: 626-383-6024).

Chicago: Chicago’s six community centers are where you can apply for a one-time rental emergency rental assistance program. Chicago’s Coalition for the Homeless can help with paying security deposits or first month’s rent, and check out The Inner Voice non-profit and the Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago for help, as well. Also try the Homelessness Prevention Call Center, which can provide grants in a crisis. The Illinois Department of Human Services is another place offering emergency rental assistance. The Illinois Housing Development Authority offers grants to help with home repairs.

Houston: For emergency rental assistance – Houston TX, check out the Harris County Housing and Community Resource Center. Salvation Army Houston rental assistance is located here. You can make an appointment at the charity, MamHouston, for rent or utility assistance. Avenue360.org has a list of Houston programs to help with rental assistance. Also, there’s a fantastic list of a huge number of emergency financial assistance resources found here (only issue? It was last updated on 2014).

Phoenix: Phoenix offers three Family Service Centers located around the city, where you can get help with things like Emergency Utility assistance, Rental Assistance, Eviction Prevention, and Move-In Assistance (FYI: the program is ending, and applications for rent and/or utility assistance must be submitted by December 16, 2022). You can call the Lutheran Social Services of the Southwest at 480-654-4539 for information on rent assistance. Azcend offers rent, utility, and eviction prevention help.

Philadelphia: The Philadelphia Office of Homeless Services has a great list of places to help if you’re facing eviction. Uesfacts.org, which has a goal of housing stabilization for low-income families, partners with Philadelphia Works to provide rental/mortgage and security deposit assistance. Also, you can check out the Emergency Shelter Allowance Program (ESA), and the Philadelphia Housing Authority.

San Antonio: The San Antonio Housing Authority offers several programs, such as homeless vouchers. You also want to check out Housing Authority Bexar County programs, such as the Family Self Sufficiency Program. Here’s a list of San Antonio’s Homeless Services, and you might want to check out Haven for Hope as well. SAMMinistries offers limited utility help (35 people can get the help each week). Alamo Area Resource Center offers both mortgage and rental payment assistance.

San Diego: San Diego’s Community Action Partnership has a place to apply for rental assistance. They also have a General Relief program where you can get cash; however, it will need to be repaid. Here’s a list of rent payment assistance programs for San Diego. South Bay Community Services offers emergency rental assistance to those with 3-day or 30-day eviction notices.

Dallas: The Housing Crisis Center’s Rapid Rehousing program can help get you into a home at a significantly reduced cost to your family. Homebase for Housing can help with back payments on rent and mortgage. North Dallas Shared Ministries can help with emergency utility payments. Dallas City Hall’s Fresh Start Housing Assistance Program offers rental and mortgage assistance. The White Rock Center of Hope can provide rent assistance once every 12 months to help families avoid eviction.

San Jose: Sacred Heart Community Service offers rental assistance (past-due rent and rental deposits). Check out St. Joseph’s Family Center for emergency rental assistance. Contact Sunnyvale Community Services for one-time emergency aid (if you’re a Sunnyvale resident).

Utility Emergencies – Emergency Help with Electric Bill

Below, you’ll find both national and local nonprofit organizations that help pay bills to keep your electricity on.

If you’re desperate for money to pay bills – a real emergency situation – then I’d try the charities and local organizations before trying for federal government help, as there can be waiting lines for those that you might be able to get around.

National Resources for Emergency Utility Assistance

A great place to start your search is through 211.org, which will locate local sources of utility emergency assistance needs for you. You can also apply for a Modest Needs Self-Sufficiency Grant.

The federally-funded, Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) helps homeowners and renters with energy costs between the months of November and March for heating, and between the months of May and August for cooling. To be able to apply, you need to have received a disconnect notice.

Make sure you apply for the Affordable Connectivity Program (see here if you qualify) for help with internet costs.

The Keep Americans Connected Program officially expired on June 30, 2020. However, there are many local providers listed near you that may still have programs and resources available for you.

Specific Major City Resources for Emergency Utility Assistance

New York City: Try the Emergency Cash Grants from NYU One Shot Deal for help with energy costs. You can also try the Utility Assistance Program (UAP) (phone number is 212-331-3150 for the heat line), and NYC’s Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP). Central Hudson Gas & Electric’s Good Neighbor Fund provides funds to pay energy bills as a last resort for people. Consolidated Edison, Long Island Power Authority, National Fuel Gas, PSEG Long Island, National Grid, and Orange and Rockland Utilities all offer some type of bill assistance program. Finally, you might want to check out the HeartShare Program for utility bill emergency assistance.

Los Angeles: The Housing Authority of City of Los Angeles offers utility allowance vouchers as emergency utility assistance. Check out both The One Voice Family Assistance Program, St. Margaret’s Center, and the Unity of Life Foundation, as well.

Chicago: The Illinois Department of Human Services is another place offering emergency utility bill assistance. Check here for Neighborhood Housing Services of Chicago’s emergency utility repair grants, and keep your eye on this page for grants to help with emergency heating repairs and weatherization to reduce your future utility bills. Households who qualify for the Share the Warmth program can get up to a $200 grant towards their heating bill through People’s Gas. Also, check with your utility provider to see if they participate in the Good Samaritan Initiative. You can also apply for energy assistance through Ameren’s Warm Neighbors Cool Friends program, and ComEd’s Residential Hardship Program. Finally, check out the Temporary Assistance for Needy Family (TANF).

Houston: For emergency utility assistance – Houston TX, check out the Gulf Coast Community Services Association. You can make an appointment at the charity, MamHouston, for rent or utility assistance. You can also check out the Northwest Assistance Ministries, Baker Ripley’s Utility Assistance Program, West Houston Assistance Ministries’ Care Ministry, the Comprehensive Energy Assistance Program (CEAP), and try your individual energy provider’s website for an assistance program, like Reliant Energy’s Care Program.

Phoenix: Phoenix offers three Family Service Centers located around the city, where you can get Emergency Utility assistance. The City of Peoria offers assistance programs for utilities, water, as well as emergency home repairs. Azcend offers a utility assistance program (along with several others).

Philadelphia: Check out Uesfacts.org, which provides financial assistance to low-income families and individuals who are either facing utility termination, or who have already had their utilities shut off. They also have an oil assistance program, and a water assistance program. Local utility companies match each dollar that UESF can give you. Go here to see if you meet eligibility requirements (such as your total household income must be at or below 175% of the federal poverty guidelines). You may qualify for this oil assistance program. get free minor emergency repairs (such as to your heater). Check out PA’s Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) for a cash grant to help pay your heating costs, and if you’re elderly, PCA’s Emergency Fund for Older Philadelphians. Check out the Emergency Assistance and Response Unit, as well as the PA’s Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP).

San Antonio: Get assistance with your utility bills through Bexar County’s Energy Assistance Program. Check out CPS Energy’s WARM program and REAP program, as well as San Antonio Water System’s Affordability Program. Here’s further listings of utility assistance in San Antonio. Alamo Area Resource Center offers utility payment assistance.

San Diego: San Diego’s Health and Human Services has a General Relief program where you can get cash; however, it will need to be repaid when you are back on your feet. Imperial County residents can get utility assistance through Calexico Neighborhood House.

Dallas: North Dallas Shared Ministries can help with emergency utility payments. Dallas City Hall’s Tenant Based Rental Assistance (TBRA) program also can help with utilities. The White Rock Center of Hope can provide utility assistance once every 12 months to families in need.

San Jose: Sacred Heart Community Service offers a NON-emergency utilities assistance program (Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP)) that can award from $173 to $289 each calendar year (which can take up to 6-8 weeks to go through). If you qualify for HEAP, then you can also apply for weatherization programs that can decrease your future utility bills. You can apply for a 20% discount on utility costs through PG&E’s Care Program. And through the Water Demand Reduction Program, all City of Watsonville can get low-flow faucets and other water-conserving items installed free of charge to reduce your future water bills. Check out St. Joseph’s Family Center for emergency utility assistance.

Medical Emergencies – Help Paying Medical Bills in Collections (and Treatments)

Looking for nonprofit organizations to help pay bills you have from medical conditions, or even help paying medical bills in collections?

National Resources for Emergency Medical Bill Assistance

National emergency medical bill assistance resources include:

Hint: you’ll also want to check out my articles on how to save on prescription drugs, how to negotiate a medical bill over the phone, and Scared about Cancer Bankruptcy? How one woman survived both her diagnosis, and bankruptcy.

Specific Major City Resources for Emergency Medical Bill Assistance

New York City: Check out Consumer Health Advocates to get help resolving medical bills in New York City. If you’re an artist in need of medical treatment, be sure to check out Bellevue’s Artist Access Program. Here’s a link to Charity Care for New York-Presbyterian.

Los Angeles: You can access discount programs by hospital, using this list. Check out the Breast Cancer Angels if you are suffering from breast cancer and facing potential cancer bankruptcy (Southern California, only).

Chicago: People’s Gas natural gas company offers help with utilities for those paying large medical bills. You’ll also want to check out Illinois Charity Care and Financial Assistance information.

Houston: Are you uninsured and need medical treatment? Try San Jose Clinic, and The Rose, both of which provides treatment for uninsured people. You’ll also want to check out Harris Health’s Financial Assistance Program.

Phoenix: For free medical care and prescriptions, check out Mission of Mercy. For discounted health care, check out Dignity Health Medical Group.

Philadelphia: Here’s a great resource list of possible medical bill assistance.

San Antonio: For help with medical bills, check out Comal Care, CareLink, and the Christian Assistance Ministry (for prescription drug help).

San Diego: The Patient Aid Program offers emergency financial assistance to blood cancer patients in active treatment. You can also apply for a SAFE grant to try and get funding for doctor’s bills you owe money on (as well as various other bills).

Dallas: The Housing Crisis Center of Dallas has the ACE program to help head of households with mental conditions and substance abuse find permanent housing.

San Jose: Learn about financial assistance programs for medical treatments from the Santa Clara Valley Medical Center.

Emergency Financial Help for Veterans

In addition to the various emergency financial resources from above, there is also specific emergency financial help for Veterans.

The Help for Homeless Veterans Hotline number is: 1-877-424-3838. This can help if you are a homeless Veteran, or if you are at risk of becoming homeless.

National Resources for Emergency Financial Assistance for Veterans

For national emergency financial assistance for Veterans, try the National Call Center for Homeless Veterans, which can put you in touch with local Veteran resources to help. You can find local centers that received the Homeless Veterans' Reintegration Program (HVRP) grant here.

The HUD-VASH program is designed specifically to help Veterans and their families find permanent homes and come out of housing crisis through transitional housing grants and per diem payments, etc.

You can check out the Compensated Work Therapy (CWT) program through the Department of Veterans Affairs.

While not emergency funds, it’s worth noting that Wells Fargo’s The NeighborhoodLIFT program provides eligible homebuyers with up to $17,500 in down payment and closing costs assistance for Veterans.

Specific Major City Resources for Veteran Emergency Aid

New York City: You’ll want to go to NYC’s Veteran Services, as well as NYC’s America Serves websites for more information.

Los Angeles: Check out the VOALA for rental and housing assistance.

Chicago: Try the Community Action Agency of Cook County for transitional housing assistance. CEDA offers free assistance to male Veterans transitioning from homelessness to transitional housing. And Inner Voice offers Veterans a Homeless Veteran Reintegration Program.

Houston: You’ll want to check out The Houston Launch Pad, which receives grants to help Veterans get on their feet. Also, non-profit U.S. Vets has a location in Houston, as well as Combined Arms.

Phoenix: Helping Hands for Freedom offers emergency financial assistance such as mortgage/lease payments, car payments, and utility bills for certain Veterans and Gold Star families.

Philadelphia: UESF.org works with Veterans who are either homeless or about to lose their homes by helping with landlord negotiations, VA benefit assistance, and temporary financial assistance. Also, check out the Veterans Multi-Service Center (specifically, here’s a link for housing assistance) for help.

San Antonio: Find help specifically for Veterans here.

San Diego: You’ll want to check out San Diego’s Community Action Partnership for Veteran financial assistance. You can also check out the American Legion for financial help. If you’ve endured a national disaster, then turn to Operation Homefront for financial assistance.

Dallas: Chronically ill and homeless Veterans can get help through the Dallas Housing Crisis Center. You can also contact TexVet.org.

San Jose: Here is Santa Clara County’s Veteran Services website. If you’re an injured Veteran, then you’ll want to check out VSSAinc.org. And here is Santa Clara’s HomeFirst program to help with emergency housing assistance.

How Can I Get Help with Bills – Your Own Resources

If you’re financially strapped for cash from a medical issue, losing a job, losing benefits, taking a pay cut, etc., then there are many ways that you can get cash fast that will leave you WORSE off in the future.

These options include things like:

  • Payday loans typically charge $15 per $100 borrowed, or upwards of 390% APR
  • Taking cash from a traditional IRA plan you have diligently stashed money into for years can deplete your earnings quickly because of a 10% penalty most will incur to do so, as well as having to claim that money as income for the upcoming tax season.
  • Borrowing from friends and family seems like a good idea because it keeps you out of the hands of strangers who will usually charge more interest, and be less lenient in repayment; however, you risk damaging your relationship with that person. And charging everything to a credit card with average rates of 15.94% is a costly option.

So, what’s a healthier way to get cash fast?

I’ll leave you with a few ideas.

Note: Several of these options should be left as a last resort, when other options have been exhausted. I’ll start with the least damaging and head towards the more financially damaging ideas.

Last-Resort Option #1: Carpool Using Your Car

Start looking at your car as a money-maker. Find someone you work with who needs to carpool, and establish what your carpool buddy will pay (presumably half of the gas bill, and possibly a little extra for wear and tear on your vehicle). You can potentially start collecting a little money in a week!

If you do not know of a co-worker that lives near you, you can go here to find other people who live near you and are looking to carpool, or put an ad in craigslist/ local paper.

Psst: working cars for working families is a program that helps you get a car on fair terms.

Last-Resort Option #2: Request a Balance Transfer from your Credit Card

This option is typically only available to people with good to excellent credit scores.

Request a balance transfer from your credit card (not a cash advance), to capitalize on your credit limit by moving part of your credit card charge limit to another card. The amount of balance transfer that you move to another card will be written out as a check to you.

In other words, you get a check for the amount of the balance transfer, and the debt is now incurred on another credit card that you own. If you transfer this new debt to another card with a promotional 0% interest for 6-12 months, and pay off the amount of the balance transfer within that time period, then you have gotten yourself a free loan to get you through a rough patch.

Assess your situation, and make sure that you can pay all, or a substantial amount, of this money down within the 6 to 12-month period.

Otherwise, you may be looking at upwards of 20% interest on your balance transfer.

Last-Resort Option #3: Take a Loan from Your 401(k)

If you have a 401(k) plan with your employer, then you can take a loan out from it. It’s not recommended, as you’ll have to pay it back. But when you’re stuck in an emergency and there no other options? Then this one could be a good one.

I hope so much that these urgent financial assistance resources provide great financial help for struggling families and people in need. Please let us know below of any emergency financial assistance programs you’ve been successfully approved for, and whether you know of any others I haven’t included.

white desk with keyboard and money on it, text overlay
The following two tabs change content below.

Amanda L Grossman

Personal Finance Writer and CEO at Frugal Confessions, LLC
Amanda L. Grossman is a writer and Certified Financial Education Instructor, Plutus Foundation Grant Recipient, and founder of Frugal Confessions. Over the last 13 years, her money work has helped people with how to save money and how to manage money. She's been featured in the Wall Street Journal, Kiplinger, Washington Post, U.S. News & World Report, Business Insider, LifeHacker, Real Simple Magazine, Woman's World, Woman's Day, ABC 13 Houston, Keybank, and more. Read more here or on LinkedIn.

Lisa M

Monday 7th of September 2020

Is there any help for the working people that just can't make ends meet? I'm an "essential worker". I had and recovered from COVID. I missed a lot of days of work and did not get paid for all of them. I make too much to get help, but I'm seriously drowning here.

Smk

Monday 12th of October 2020

I’m so sorry you are going through This after having to suffer through what sounds like one of the worst viruses ever. I hope you’re feeling better and were able to at least put the virus behind you without any long term issues.

I hope this helps you as you may already know about it but on the department of labor website you can find info about the “ Families First Coronavirus Response Act”. I have copied (some of the info on the site) and pasted below:

The Families First Coronavirus Response Act which requires certain employers to provide their employees with paid sick leave or expanded family and medical leave for specified reasons related to COVID-19. The Department of Labor’s (Department) Wage and Hour Division (WHD) administers and enforces the new law’s paid leave requirements. These provisions will apply from the effective date through December 31, 2020.

Generally, the Act provides that covered employers must provide to all employees:[2]

Two weeks (up to 80 hours) of paid sick leave at the employee’s regular rate of pay where the employee is unable to work because the employee is quarantined (pursuant to Federal, State, or local government order or advice of a health care provider), and/or experiencing COVID-19 symptoms and seeking a medical diagnosis; or

Two weeks (up to 80 hours) of paid sick leave at two-thirds the employee’s regular rate of pay because the employee is unable to work because of a bona fide need to care for an individual subject to quarantine (pursuant to Federal, State, or local government order or advice of a health care provider), or care for a child (under 18 years of age) whose school or child care provider is closed or unavailable for reasons related to COVID-19, and/or the employee is experiencing a substantially similar condition as specified by the Secretary of Health and Human Services, in consultation with the Secretaries of the Treasury and Labor.

There is a lot more to read on their website: https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/pandemic/ffcra-employer-paid-leave

I truly hope this helps you. It helped my family tremendously however we are now facing some other issues from all of this.

Keep in mind that while it states you should be protected in this act (for example your employer cannot fire you specifically for taking leave under the FFCRA, they may do it anyway and deal with the fallout from it later) a lot of essential workers have complained (I read this is a local paper) about the company they work for not following CDC guidelines and basically exposing them to Covid-19 however, what was done about it? Nothing much even tho thus paper mentioned there is info in the DOL website that addresses employers not keeping employees safe against COVID-19 in the workplace. They discuss fines, shutting down Said business, all kinds of stuff but they don’t have enough people to Look into and possibly enforce every single complaint and issue.

Hopefully your company is honest and will follow the guidelines set forth in the FFCRA should you be able to use that. I hope so and I truly hope it helps.

Sorry if this is long and hope it makes sense, my son interrupted me a million times while I was trying to type this lol (he’s 4 and bored being stuck home for the last however many months it’s been since February) I finally stopped proofreading and typed everything as quickly as possible.

I wish you luck and am hoping all works out for you. Take care.

William D Christy

Sunday 16th of August 2020

So I'm a 61 year old man, I have a 4th grade education, hepitits c and abnormal kidney function. Also arthritis, and breathing problems, I've been homeless several times in my life, I also have severe depression. I currently live with a friend. I've applied for SSI and SSDI, turned down every time. I don't drive don't have medical insurance. Haven't really worked at a job that held out as. So my chances are slim to none. Thanks America. You've helped me with what.

Heidi

Friday 8th of May 2020

Thank you for compiling this wonderful list. Although ConvertKit has stopped taking applications as well as Facebooks criteria is very limited to specific areas and narrowed down further by zip code. But definitely worth checking into. We still discovered 1 very helpful resource and want to thank you! Best Regards

Amanda L Grossman

Monday 11th of May 2020

Hi Heidi - I'm SO glad you discovered a helpful emergency financial resource for yourself. Also, thanks for the updates on those two programs. I'm checking in with this article twice a week, and updating as I find new resources, and as old resources get used up. Appreciate the help!

Chaun

Saturday 18th of April 2020

Figured I would let everyone know that a few of the programs listed here are no longer excepting applications. One being the creator fund. Better to call 211

Amanda L Grossman

Saturday 18th of April 2020

Thanks, Chaun! I'm checking in with this article weekly, but it's a lot to keep up with:). Will update that.

Todd Christensen

Monday 23rd of March 2020

Find a nonprofit credit counseling agency through one of the two major industry trade associations: fcaa.org and nfcc.org. Not a new loan or a refinance. Just lower interest rates through your current lenders, meaning lower monthly payments. -Todd Author of "Everyday Money for Everyday People"