Help Paying Bills

The cost of housing and housing-related expenses, like water and power, has been increasing across the U.S. for many years. Many households spend more than half what they earn on housing expenses, and the 211 network receives more calls from people looking for help paying housing and utilities bills than any other need. 

• Rental Assistance

  Many organizations offer rental assistance funds or can help you discuss a payment plan with your landlord. Contact 211 for available local assistance to help you pay rental bills.

  • Use this tool, created by the Pew Charitable Trusts and the Stanford Legal Design Lab, to find local information about your rights and protections as a renter during the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • If you need help writing a letter to your landlord to request help paying or delaying rent, use this free tool.
  • If you live in a property associated with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), you can call 877-542-9723 to speak with a housing counselor. Not sure if your property is covered? Search your address on the HUD website here.

  During COVID-19 Pandemic: The CDC has extended the temporary halt in residential evictions through October 3, 2021. This means you cannot be evicted for nonpayment of rent as a renter until October 4, 2021. Still, if you are able to pay some of all of your rent, you should do so. This protection does not eliminate the rent you owe, it only prevents you from being evicted immediately.

• Mortgage Assistance

  If you are experiencing difficulties making your mortgage payments, you are encouraged to contact your lender or loan servicer directly to inquire about foreclosure prevention options that are available. Your lender will be aware of any federal protections or programs offering additional assistance to borrowers because of the pandemic.

  If you are experiencing difficulty communicating with your mortgage lender or servicer about your need for mortgage relief, there are organizations that can help by contacting lenders and servicers on your behalf.

• General Utilities Assistance

  Many utilities providers offer programs to assist households when they cannot pay their bills on time. Companies may offer a payment plan or temporary discount on your bill if you can pay some, but not all, of what you owe. Some companies also work with local non-profits to provide additional financial assistance to qualifying households. 

  Contact your utility provider, explain your situation, and ask about options to help you pay. If you are unsure how to contact them, this information is usually included on your monthly bill.

• LIHEAP: Low Income Home Energy Assistance Programs

  The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is a state benefit program that assists eligible low-income households with their heating and cooling energy costs, bill payment assistance, energy crisis assistance, weatherization and energy-related home repairs. 

  To find out whether you are eligible to receive LIHEAP benefits, contact your state or tribal LIHEAP office.

Healthcare costs in the United States are hard to manage for millions of families, especially when an unforeseen injury or illness occurs. You can always call 211 to speak to someone who can help, or start by using the resources below.

• Health Insurance

  The best way to afford critical medical treatment, preventive care, and prescriptions is to ensure you and your loved ones are enrolled in health insurance.

  • If you do not have the option to enroll in health insurance through your employer, the government offers a marketplace of affordable plans. You can explore all of your options here. On the same website, you can also determine if you qualify for Medicaid, Medicare or the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), which provide free or low-cost health insurance. 
  • If you recently lost health coverage as a result of job loss, death, divorce, or other qualifying life events, you may be able to take advantage of COBRA (the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act). This program gives workers and their families the ability to continue their group health benefits for a limited time while alternatives are found. For more information, click here.  

• Paying for Prescriptions

  Even with health insurance, many struggle to pay for the medication prescribed by a health care professional.

  • Download a free SingleCare Prescriptions Savings Card and present it to your pharmacist when picking up your next prescription. This savings card is available to anyone, regardless of health insurance, and can help you save on any prescribed medication. You can use the search on the SingleCare website to find out more about how much you may save on your medication.
  • RxAssist is a nationally recognized, web-based medication assistance resource center. Established in 1999 with funding from The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, RxAssist gives providers, advocates, consumer and caregivers comprehensive, up-to-date information in an easy to use format. Search the RxAssist database to locate prescription savings for brand name and generic drugs. 

• Low-Cost Medical Care

  Even if you have health insurance, many plans do not provide sufficient coverage for areas like mental health or substance use treatment. Contact 211 to learn about low-cost or free services in your area.

  • Search for a nearby Health Center that provides medical options on a sliding scale according to your ability to pay using this link. Health Centers offer a variety of services including medical, dental, vision, and behavioral health care.
  • If you are looking for substance use or other mental health services, you can use the SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) online search tool. After searching by location, click "More Information" about a particular site and scroll to the Payment Information section to see which insurance is accepted and whether the provider offers payment assistance.
  • Open Path Psychotherapy Collective is another resource to help find lower-cost mental health and counseling options available in your local community and online.

There are several federal and state benefits programs that can help you pay for food and other essential items.

• SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program)

  SNAP provides nutrition benefits to supplement the food budget of needy families so they can purchase healthy food and move towards self-sufficiency.

  • To get SNAP benefits, you must apply in the state in which you currently live and you must meet certain requirements, including resource and income limits..
  • Learn more here and to check eligibility requirements to see if you qualify.

  Already a SNAP recipient? Fresh EBT is a free smart phone app available to check your SNAP balance and purchase history.  Fresh EBT also includes a COVID response help center with information about changes to government benefits programs and connections to local organizations and resources.  Learn more or download Fresh EBT at www.freshebt.com. 

• WIC (Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children)

  WIC is a federal financial assistance program offered through state governments to assist low-income households in purchasing essential food and supplies for pregnant women, infants, and young children.

  WIC benefits can be used to purchase infant food and formula as well as nutritional foods like eggs, milk, cereal, peanut butter, fruits, and vegetables. Households enrolled in WIC can access health screenings, breastfeeding counseling, and immunization referrals.

  Find your state agency for information on applying here. 

  There is no immigration status restriction or requirement for WIC in most states. 

• About the Child Tax Credit (CTC)

  The Child Tax Credit (CTC) was created in 1997 as a support for families to help them afford the everyday expenses of raising children. It has historically been claimed at the time that a parent or caregiver files their taxes.   The American Rescue Plan, which was passed in March 2021, increased the Child Tax Credit (CTC) amount and made it so families can receive their CTC payments monthly or via an annual lump-sum payment. The CTC now provides up to $300 per month per child under age 6 and up to $250 per month per child ages 6 to 17 (or $3,600 per year per child under age 6 and $3,000 per year per child age 6 to 17).  Monthly CTC payments will begin automatically on July 15, 2021. Families who prefer to receive annual payments can opt out of monthly payments through a tool at IRS.gov. Families who do not receive their monthly CTC payments can also submit or update their information at IRS.gov. Additional guidance and information for families who need help to receive their payment is provided below. 

• Eligibility

  Nearly all families with children will qualify for payments.   You qualify if the children in your family have a social security number, are under age 18, and live with you most of the time (more than half the year). Additionally, you will need to have made less than certain income limits. Single filers who earn less than $75,000, head of household filers who earn less than $112,500, and married couples who file jointly and  who earn less than $150,000 will receive the full CTC amount.   Only one payment is available per child. Families who share custody and alternate who claims the child as a dependent on their taxes may want to coordinate their actions. The parent or caretaker who claimed the child as a dependent on their 2019 taxes, filed in 2020, may want to opt out of advanced payments. The parent or caretaker who did not claim the child as a dependent on their 2019 taxes, but plans on claiming the child as a dependent on their 2020 taxes, filed in 2021, may want to opt in to advance payments using the IRS Update Portal.  

• How to get your payments

  Monthly payments began automatically starting July 15, 2021 for families who have filed a 2019 or 2020 tax return.  Families that have not filed their taxes can access a new simplified filing portal to claim their Child Tax Credit, GetCTC.org, developed by Code for America in partnership with the IRS.  It is mobile friendly and available in English and Spanish.   If you need help completing the IRS form, you can review this step-by-step guide, review the information at GetCTC.org (which is also available in Spanish), or call 211 to find local resources and assistance available to you.   If you earned any income and haven’t already filed a return or provided your information to the IRS using the non-filer tool, you may get more money by filing a full tax return. Head to MyFreeTaxes to file your taxes for free while getting the assistance you need.    If you are assisting someone get their advance Child Tax Credit who has not filed, Code for America's CTC Non-filer Sign-up Tool Help Guide (PDF -English) can help. This guide is meant for navigators and assisters. It outlines what's going on at each step, so that they know how to respond to common questions and can understand what will happen if people go down a rare corner of the flow. You​ can also access a navigator resource website (in English and Spanish).

• Once you receive your payment

  First, use your payment to purchase groceries and other household essentials. Next, pay past or upcoming bills such as rent, mortgage, utilities, insurance, and car payments. While many companies are waiving late fees to help people impacted by COVID-19, these bills will come due eventually.  If your bills are paid and you don’t have other urgent expenses to cover, consider using your payment to open or fund a personal savings account. Savings accounts earn interest, which means your payment will increase in value over time. If you don’t already have a bank account, start here to compare options and read more about how to make the most of your savings. For more help developing a personal financial plan, visit the United Way My Smart Money website. 

• Avoiding scams

  Neither the United Way nor the IRS will ever request verification of personal and/or banking information saying that the information is needed to receive or speed up their tax refund or CTC by phone, email, text, or social media. The IRS will never threaten to cancel or suspend your Social Security number. The IRS does not initiate contact with taxpayers by email, text message, or social media. If you receive a call from a caller stating to be with the IRS but are concerned it might be a scam, hang up and call the IRS directly at 800-829-1040. You can read more about avoiding scams here. 

Occasionally programs exist for certain financial situations.  When resources are limited or you may not qualify for services, it's okay to call 211 again and ask about other ideas or options.   Exploring new ways to reduce your expenditures or applying for another program can sometimes provide temporary help in difficult situations.  

• Student Loan Savings Calculator

  For many Americans, managing their student loan debt is stressful and expensive.  This student loan savings calculator can help you better understand your debt, optimize your repayment options, and enroll in the best plan for your financial situation. The goal is to help you enroll in government programs that can lower your monthly payments and potentially forgive your debt. The average Savi user reduces their loan payment by $156 per month, with some users paying as low as $0 per month.  

• Grocery Worker's Appreciation Fund

  The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted communities across the United States, causing business and school closures, health concerns, and staggering need.  Through it all, grocery workers have been frontline heroes, risking their health and safety to keep the shelves stocked with essential food and supplies.

  To show appreciation to grocery workers for their contributions during this health crisis, Kendall-Jackson has partnered with United Way Worldwide, pledging $2 million through August 2030 to create the Grocery Worker’s Appreciation Fund. The fund is administered by United Way Worldwide and provides emergency support to grocery workers to ease their financial challenges. If you are in need of assistance click here to apply.

• Resources for Union Members

  • When The Paycheck Stops - An AFL-CIO Survival Guide to Unemployment

  • Cuando El Sueldo No Lluega - Una guia de supervivencia de AFL-CIO en caso desempleo

  • COVID-19 Resources from AFL-CIO

  • Department of Labor: COVID-19 and the Workplace

  • OSHA: Protecting Workers During a Pandemic fact sheet

  • OSHA: Information for Workers and Employers About the Coronavirus Outbreak

  • OSHA: COVID-19 Control and Prevention

  View the list of United Way Labor Engagement Staff & Local Labor Partners here.

• About the payments

  The U.S. government has passed three rounds of Economic Impact Payments, also known as “stimulus checks.” Most people who were eligible to receive these checks have already received payment either by mail or direct deposit to a bank account, but millions of Americans still need to take action to obtain their funds. If you haven’t received all or some of the stimulus payment you are owed, you need to take action to get it by filing a 2021 tax return.

• Eligibility

  The vast majority of Americans are eligible to receive the stimulus checks. Eligibility is determined by income and citizenship or residency status.  There is no minimum income needed to qualify for the payment. If you file your taxes as a Single Filer and earn less than $75,000, Married Filing Jointly and earn less than $112,500, or Head of Household and earn less than $150,000, you are eligible to receive the full amount for all three stimulus payments. If you earn more than those limits you may be eligible for a reduced amount, and can read more information here.  U.S. citizens, permanent residents, or qualifying resident aliens with a work-eligible Social Security Number (SSN) or Adoption Taxpayer Identification Number (ATIN) are eligible.  Households with dependents 18 years or old and mixed status households, including family members with ITINs, may also be eligible. More information is available for those households here.  Individuals are not eligible and will not have received a payment if: 

  • They can be claimed as a dependent on someone else’s tax return (i.e., a child)
  • They do not have a Social Security number valid for employment
  • They are a nonresident alien

  Most people have already received their Economic Impact Payments by check, prepaid debit card, or direct deposit into the bank account used for federal benefits like Social Security or where your last tax return was deposited. If you have not yet received your stimulus payments by, you need to file a tax return in 2021 to obtain the funds you are owed, even if you do not usually have to file a tax return. 

• If you haven't received your payment but are eligible

  If you are eligible for an Economic Impact Payment and did not receive a payment, or received an incorrect payment amount, you can claim the amount you are owed by filing a 2020 tax return in 2021. Go to www.MyFreeTaxes.com to file your taxes for free while getting the assistance you need. The first Economic Impact Payment was authorized in March 2020 and provided $1,200 per eligible adult and $500 per eligible dependent child. The second Economic Impact Payment was authorized in December 2020 and provided $600 per eligible adult and $600 per eligible dependent child. The third Economic Impact Payment was authorized in March 2021 and provided $1,400 per eligible adult and $1,400 per eligible dependent.

  • Call 211 to get connected to the local resources and services available to help you claim your payment
  • IRS-certified volunteers are also available at www.getyourrefund.org/211-stimulus to provide free assistance filing your paperwork with the IRS to get your stimulus payment. Interpreters are available to provide assistance in any language.

• Once you receive your payment

  First, use your payment to purchase groceries and other household essentials. Next, pay past or upcoming bills such as rent, mortgage, utilities, insurance, and car payments. While many companies are waiving late fees to help people impacted by COVID-19, these bills will come due eventually.  If your bills are paid and you don’t have other urgent expenses to cover, consider using your payment to open or fund a personal savings account. Savings accounts earn interest, which means your payment will increase in value over time. If you don’t already have a bank account, start here to compare options and read more about how to make the most of your savings. For more help developing a personal financial plan, visit the United Way My Smart Money website.

• Avoiding scams

  Neither the United Way nor the IRS will ever request verification of personal and/or banking information saying that the information is needed to receive or speed up their tax refund or economic impact payment by phone, email, text, or social media. The IRS will never threaten to cancel or suspend your Social Security number. The IRS does not initiate contact with taxpayers by email, text message, or social media. If you receive a call from a caller stating to be with the IRS but are concerned it might be a scam, hang up and call the IRS directly at 800-829-1040. You can read more about avoiding scams here.