Money Assistance Montana – Help paying bills, rent, loans & more
With 16.5 percent of residents at or falling below poverty level, Montana is among the states with some of the highest poverty levels in the nation. While unemployment rates in Montana are among the lowest in the nation, many families still are having issues covering all of their bills every month. If you are struggling to cover all of your expenses, you could qualify for a range financial assistance programs.
Below are multiple ways to get financial help in Montana. Services that include help paying bills, rent, food/groceries, personal loans, debt relief and as mentioned various government benefits and support agencies across Montana.
Social Security Loans (SSI)
Many residents living in Montana collecting Social Security may qualify for more financial assistance through SSI. For those whose only income is Social Security and you are in need of a loan, there may be specialist lenders who will assist. Learn more about SSI and other social security loan options here.
Assistance with utilities: Winters in Montana can get chilly, which means you need a reliable heating source to make sure you and your family stay safe and warm this winter. If you are struggling to keep the heat on this winter, you may qualify for assistance through the Montana Low-income Energy Program, which provides assistance to help supplement heating costs during the winter. Additionally, the program also provides free winterization services to help prep your home for the cooler months. You may also qualify for help through the Energy Share program, which provides reduced bills for almost 3,000 families each year.
Food Assistance: If you can prove your family has a financial need, you may qualify for assistance through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) in Montana. Also known as Food Stamps, this program is offered through the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services. Families may receive a monthly stipend to help cover the cost of food expenses. In addition to Food Stamp services, the WIC (Women, Infant, and Children) program provides additional food stipends to help women with young children put health food on the table.
Rent and Mortgage: If you are struggling to make rent or mortgage payments, you can get help through several federal programs like the Rural Development Single Family Housing Program, Section 8 Housing, Section 15 Housing or various loan programs. Additionally, the Montana Housing Division helps families find affordable housing options including classes for first-time homebuyers, a voucher program, Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing Program, and Shelter Plus Care Program. You must provide proof of financial need to qualify for most of these programs.
Medical Assistance: Montana residents may qualify for help with medical expenses through the state Medicaid or Medicare programs. Additionally, children may qualify for help through the CHIP (Child Health Insurance Program). You can also get help managing your bills, checking for errors and recovering any extra payments you may have made though the Montana Medical Bill Review. You do not have to pay for services out of pocket, though some insurance companies may charge for copies of your statements. Learn more about help with paying for medications and medical bills here.
Educational Assistance: Students with a financial need can receive assistance through the Federal Pell Grant Program. In addition, students can access assistance through The Montana Higher Education Student Assistance Corporation. The non-profit organization helps students find assistance in the form of loans, scholarships and grants to help pay for higher education. Students may also qualify for help through the Montana Tuition Assistance Program. For young children, there are many low cost school supply options in addition to certain free supply programs.
Community Action Centers: The Community Action Partnership of Northwest Montana provides assistance to communities through programs that help individuals learn to become more self-sufficient. Residents can learn more information about assistance through public and private organizations as well as attend classes and receive employment training.
Charities: In a recent study, Montana was ranked as the 37th most charitable state, despite the middle-of-the-road ranking, there are still opportunities to get help through private charities including church-funded programs like the Catholic Church’s Food Pantry as well as other private charities like Goodwill and The Salvation Army.
Loan Assistance: In certain circumstance you may just need cash to help with household needs. Learn about different borrowing options which don't include ridiculous terms like those of payday loans.
Learn more about free items and other money assistance services in Montana, including: Free clothes, furniture, car, school accessories, help with fines, seasonal items & more!
The below services are in general and may not be available in Montana. However, if not available, many may have partnerships with other organizations through out the state that they can connect you with.
Free Hotel or Motel Vouchers for the Homeless or Emergencies
Those experiencing hardship and are without a roof over their head can access different types of short and possibly longer term accommodation throughout Montana. Learn more about accommodation assistance in here.
Dealing with tickets or fines
If you have unpaid tickers or fines, avoiding them will only create further financial and credit problems. Learn about ways to get assistance with dealing with fines in Montana, from requesting a waiver or challenging inaccurate fines. Get the information you need to tackle fines here.
How to get a free laptop or computer
Low income families have a range of organizations that provide free technology assistance such as computers and laptops throughout the country including Montana. Learn about what free computers and laptop organizations are near you and how to apply here.
Getting a free or low cost car
At any given time there are different organizations that assist low income earners with transportation. Across the country and in Montana there are different services that assist people with getting a vehicle. Learn more about free cars, how to get one and where to apply.
How to get free gas for emergencies
Gas prices in Montana like most of the country are extremely high. This can put serious strain on the family budget. For those dealing with cashflow issues and finding it hard to put fuel in the car, there is help. Learn how to get free gas for emergencies through free gas vouchers.
