Use the search box on this page to look through thousands of verified assistance programs from across the United States. For results that fit your situation, type what you need help with and where you live. Most programs are run locally, so adding a city, county, or state returns the closest matches.

Searches work best when they name both a need and a place. Helpful examples include "rent assistance in Phoenix," "food pantries in Wayne County Michigan," "utility bill help in Dallas Texas," and "Detroit churches with hot meals." A plain need with no location, such as "rent help," will still return results, but they may not be close to you.

If this is your first time applying for help, read the Universal Checklist for Assistance Programs first. It covers which documents to have ready and the right way to approach each program before you apply.

Browse assistance programs without using the search box

If the search box does not return what you need, you can also find programs by browsing the main directory sections. These pages group resources by location and by type of help instead of by keyword. Start with the main directory of help in every state and county. It groups resources by location and by type of help instead of by keyword.

If your need is a specific one, there are dedicated local directories for the most common needs.

If you are struggling with rent, see the rent and housing assistance directory, which lists programs by state and county.
For a meal or groceries, the food program list by state and county covers local pantries and soup kitchens.
If you are behind on electric, gas, or water, the utility bill assistance directory lists local programs that help with those costs.
For clothing, furniture, or other household items, the free items directory lists what is given out locally.

Other ways to find local or national programs

If the search box and the directories do not return what you need, you can email the team at NeedHelpPayingBills for help. Include the type of help you need and your city, county, and state. The email address is [email protected] or see the contact page, and we reply with specific, verified resources based on what you ask for.

NeedHelpPayingBills.com also runs a moderated public discussion forum where people share their own experiences and local resources. Forum posts can name programs that are hard to find through a regular search.

Why trust NeedHelpPayingBills.com?

The site has provided free information on assistance programs since 2008. Our team reviews and verifies program details by hand, so the information you act on stays accurate. You can read more about that process on the page that explains why you can trust NeedHelpPayingBills.com. Since it launched, the site has helped many thousands of people find real assistance through its forums, its social media following, and direct email.

Related Content From Needhelppayingbills.com

By Jon McNamara

Why you can trust NeedHelpPayingBills.com - Providing manually verified assistance since 2008.

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