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.

   

• 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. 

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.