• Job training:
  If your job was eliminated due to your position being shipped overseas, you can be eligible for the Trade Adjustment Assistance Program which provides training and additional unemployment compensation. Continue.
   
• Education assistance:
  There are numerous low income assistance programs to help people pay college loans and other school expenses. You can defer loans, consolidate them into low interest loans, and more. Find ways to get help with student loans.
   
• Rent help for low income rural families:
  The US Department of Agriculture gives rent help to low income rural families from the Rural Development program. They also provide the disabled, elderly, and others with housing assistance. Find how to get rent help from the USDA.
   
• Energy bill assistance:
  There are at least two federal programs that can help low income families save on their utility bills and also conserve energy. LIHEAP and Weatherization assistance help millions of people every year with their home energy expenses. More.
   
• Low income housing assistance for military personnel and veterans:
  Mortgage assistance is offered to active duty military personnel, and the Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing Program provides rental vouchers to low income veterans. Find more.
   
• Free low income health care programs:
  The federal governments Health Resources and Services Administration provides free health care to low income people throughout all 50 states. Low income families and individuals can stop by these clinics to get their medical needs addressed. More info.

 

 

• Free or low cost health care from clinics:
  It is estimated that almost 20% of Americans lack health insurance. Millions of others do not have enough money to pay for their medical and hospital bills, even though they have insurance. Every state has community clinics and health care centers that provide free or low cost medical care to its residents. More on free clinics.
   
• Dental care offered by government supported dental clinics:
  Hundreds of government and private funded dental centers can offer a number of free services, including check ups, cleanings, consultations, and referrals to other dental programs. Both professional and volunteers dentists contribute their time to the free dental clinics.
   
• Free grants from the Federal government stimulus:
  The federal government is providing billions of dollars to local communities throughout the country to provide assistance to those who need it with today’s challenging economy. One of the primary benefactors are your local housing assistance programs. More.
   
• Low income legal advice:
  The federal government provides grants and funding to hundreds of law offices across the country. The attorneys at these locations offer low income families a variety of free legal services. Learn more.
   
• Section 8 Housing:
  This rent and housing assistance program was created by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to help low income renters with housing expenses. Learn more on Section 8.
   
• Free or low cost food:
  The low income and other needy individuals have resources available to them that can provide them with free or low cost food and groceries. They include government food assistance programs, as well as non-profits and charities that offer people of all income levels low cost groceries.

 

Low Income Assistance From Charities and Private Companies

• Charity organizations:
  Charities and other nonprofit and aid organizations offer a tremendous amount of help for low income families. You can find credit counseling, free and discounted health care, short term rent assistance, and much more. Find low income assistance programs offered by numerous charities.
   
• Help with medical expenses, debts, prescription drugs, and health care:
  Health care related concerns may be the most common low income assistance program. For example, you can get free prescription drugs from pharmaceutical companies, free health care from retail clinics, hospital aid, help with medical bills and debt, and a wide variety of other medical needs met. Find the top health care assistance programs for low to mid income individuals and families.

 

 

• Home Repairs:
  Both grants and low interest loans exist for home repairs and improvements. State and federal funds typically are available, but your local community action agency is usually the place to apply to for help. Or they can redirect you to other organizations for information on how to apply for a home repair program.
   
• Free debt and credit counseling:
  Numerous national and local non-profit credit counseling agencies exist for low income individuals. They can provide free foreclosure advice, debt management plans, and help people file for bankruptcy. Counselors will provide free assistance to help with credit card debts and free medical debt assistance. Learn more on the credit counseling agencies.
   
• Foreclosure and housing counseling:
  Millions of homeowners are struggling to pay their monthly mortgage, or they may be close to or facing a foreclosure. Hundreds of non-profit organizations across the country are certified by the federal government Housing and Urban Development agency (HUD) to provide free or low cost foreclosure and mortgage help. Counselors will help people stop a foreclosure or get back on track with paying their mortgage. Many of the foreclosure prevention services are free to low income clients. More on free foreclosure help.
   
• Food pantries provide reduced priced or free food:
  Get information on places to turn to for food, groceries, perishable items, holiday meals, and other forms of free food. Every state and county is served by one or more food banks. Click here.
   
• Financial assistance for heating, cooling, and energy bills:
  Most utility companies, which are privately owned, run numerous assistance programs for qualified customers. Some services and resources they provide themselves, and others are administered in partnership with local non-profit and charity organizations. Read more on energy bill grants and financial assistance programs.
   
• Rent assistance and housing:
  Thousands of non-profits, government housing agencies, churches, and charities across the nation will often have funds to contribute towards paying someone’s rent or housing expenses. Most of the assistance provided is offered on a limited basis, is provided for a very short period of time, and the money is intended to stop an eviction. Many of the programs also have waiting lists, and with the high demand for rental help, funds are limited. Find locations that offer emergency rent help.