Help With Money for Utilities & Rent

One thing you can count on is the cost of living continuing to rise and the cost of rent and utilities to increase right along with it. Unfortunately, many Americans today are having difficulties in affording the basic costs of living and homelessness is becoming more of a concern. The good news is that no matter what your situation, you'll find a number of options to obtain financial help with rent and utility expenses.

Public Aid Government Assistance

Low-income families and individuals facing immediate needs for financial assistance can often turn to the local Department of Health and Human Services (DHS). Depending on your income, you may be eligible to qualify for TANF -- Temporary Assistance to Needy Families -- benefits that include immediate cash, food stamps and medical coverage. DHS can also direct you to local rent assistance and utility bill payment programs that you may qualify for and cash benefits can be applied toward rent and utility expenses in the meanwhile.

Financial Rental Assistance for Veteran Families

Prime candidates for rent and utility grants through private and government agencies are families of American veterans. Numerous private and federal agencies sponsor wide varieties of financial assistance programs designed to serve veterans and the families of military personnel. If you are veteran or surviving spouse of a veteran you may qualify for eviction and foreclosure prevention assistance through the "USA Cares" foundation. The "Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society" and "Operation Family Fund" both provide military families in need with financial grants for rent, utility bills, groceries and other domestic expenses.

Hardship Grants and State, City and County Assistance

Most utility service providers nationwide -- such as Commonwealth Edison in Illinois -- offer special hardship programs to customers facing financial difficulties that help cover a significant portion of your past due utility bills. If you can verify that you have suffered a personal hardship -- such as death of a spouse, injury, ailment or unemployment -- that has affected you financially you may qualify for utility assistance. In Long Beach California you may qualify for up to 18 months of rental assistance from the Beyond Shelter foundation or the Rapid Rehousing organization. Florida residents can apply to the Emergency Financial Assistance for Housing Program through the Department of Children & Families Office on Homelessness. Similar programs are available in every state nationwide.

Private Charities

Many private charity organizations offer contributions to low-income individuals or families facing financial setbacks through Good Samaritan programs. In efforts to prevent homelessness, foundations such as The Knights Of Columbus and Kiwanis contribute a portion of the monies earned by frequent fundraisers to allocate to needy families for food, rent and utility payments. The Salvation Army and Red Cross foundations also offer assistance to needy families for basic survival needs. Depending on your situation, you may be granted direct cash assistance to distribute at your discretion or payments may be made directly to your landlord or utility service providers.

References

• Commonwealth Edison: Special Hardship
• Good Samaritans of Garland: Programs
• The Catholic Foundation: Grants
• Department of Human Services: Emergency Rental Assistance Program
• Government Grants: Rental and Debt Grants Available Online
• Need Help Paying Bills: Housing and Rent Assistance

Resources

• Florida Department of Children and Families: Office on Homelessness
• Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society: Survivor Benefits
• USA Cares: Preventing Foreclosures and Evictions
• Operation Family Fund: About Us
• NHCO: Utility Help and Emergency Financial Assistance
• "The New York Times": The Neediest Cases; Help With Overdue Rent
• Bay Area Medical Information: Housing Assistance