Money Assistance Missouri – Help paying bills, rent, loans & more

According to Poverty USA, Missouri ranks in the bottom half of states for poverty level rates, sitting at number 29. With almost 16 percent of the state population considered to be living in poverty and roughly 22 percent of children living at or below the poverty line, there are many people who can use a bit of financial assistance. If you are finding it difficult to pay your bills and make ends meet, you may qualify for a range of financial assistance programs offered throughout the state.

Below are multiple ways to get financial help in Missouri. Services that include help paying bills, rent, food/groceries, personal loans, debt relief and as mentioned various government benefits and support agencies across Kansas City, St. Louis, Springfield and all other cities in Missouri.

Social Security Loans (SSI)
Many residents living in Missouri 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: Residents of Missouri can get help with their utility bills through the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program. This program offers a financial subsidy to help offset the cost of heating bills. Low-income families may also qualify for free resources to help winterize their home. In addition, the HeatShare program helps cover utility expenses for the disabled, low-income families, the elderly and families with an immediate financial hardship. Funds are provided to help pay electricity or gas bills and for the purchase of wood, oil or propane.

Food Assistance: If you are struggling to purchase groceries, you may qualify for help through the state food stamps program. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program offers a monthly stipend to low-income families. The money can be used to purchase food from participating grocery stores. In addition, pregnant women and women with children under 5 may qualify for assistance through the WIC program. If you have school-aged children, you may also qualify for the free or reduced lunch program through your local school district. A family of four must make less than $44,000 per year to qualify for food assistance.

Loan Help: Learn about the different responsible lending options available through government benefits, non-profits and banks. Did you know that many banks have specialized low income loans for those who need financial assistance and don’t qualify for mainstream loans? See loan types here

Rent and Mortgage: Missouri residents who are struggling to pay their rent or mortgage may be able to find low-cost housing through the Section 8 Housing program. In addition, the Department of Housing and Urban Development offers grants to provide help with deposits, down payments and monthly housing costs. You may also qualify for financial assistance through the state Temporary Assistance Program which provides cash to help pay bills, debts and monthly expenses. Residents can apply for TANF here.

Medical Assistance: Residents who need help paying medical bills may qualify for free health coverage through the state Medicaid program. In addition, residents may qualify for help through the Spend Down Program which offers payment assistance for families that don’t qualify for Medicaid. The program is designed to help the disabled and families who don’t qualify for Medicaid but cannot afford to pay for health insurance themselves.

Educational Assistance: Families with small children may qualify for early-education programs thorough the Head Start Program. Children from low-income families can get help with preschool and other education resources. In addition, students interested in paying for college can apply for help through the Federal Pell Grant Program or apply for help through the National Guard Education Fund.

Community Action Centers: If you need additional assistance applying for jobs, finding educational resources or looking for more help from the community, you can get help through the Missouri Association of Community Action. Community Action Centers provide training, assistance and advocacy to individuals in need.

Charities: According to WalletHub, Missouri ranks as the 21^st most giving state in the country. If you need help but cannot qualify for public assistance, you may be able to get help from local private and public charities. Some of the largest charities in Missouri include the ALS Association, Guardian Angel Settlement Association and Homelessness Reversed.

Learn more about free items and other money assistance services in Missouri, 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 Missouri. 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 Missouri. 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 Missouri, 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 Missouri. 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 Missouri 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 Missouri 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.