Money Assistance West Virginia – Help paying bills, rent, loans & more
West Virginia has a poverty ranking of 41 in terms of its resident’s living at or below the poverty line according to Poverty USA - The percentage of people living below the poverty line is 18.5%. To help combat poverty and financial stress, West Virginia has implemented a range programs that deliver financial aid and money help.
Below are multiple ways to get financial help in West Virginia. Services that include help paying bills, rent, food/groceries, personal loans, debt relief and as mentioned various government benefits and support agencies across Charleston, Huntington, Morgantown and all other cities in West Virginia.
Social Security Loans (SSI)
Many residents living in West Virginia 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: From December to April, all West Virginia utility companies will offer qualified customers 20% of their bills. To be eligible for that discount, a customer must be 60 years of age or older and must already receive Food Stamps, SSI or WV Works. The Salvation Army makes the Heat Fund available to residents to help low-income families pay their gas bills. LIHEAP is a government program that can assist low-income, elderly and disabled residents receive financial aid and other assistance in order to help afford energy costs.
Food Assistance: The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program in West Virginia is a federal program aimed at helping West Virginia residents to buy food. It’s administered by the West Virginia department of Health and Human Resources. The goal of the program is to fight poverty by helping low-income families to receive benefits that will supplement their food budget and allow for better nutrition.
Loan Help: If you are in need of a loan to help with unexpected expenses, there are great options available that do not include payday loans. Many non-profits, credit unions and banks provide specialty loans to assist those who wouldn’t generally qualify for a mainstream loan. Learn about the different loan options here.
Rent and Mortgage: The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) offers residents of West Virginia help with rent and mortgages. Subsidized apartments are available to low-income tenants to help reduce the amount of rent. Public Housing is also available through Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers. These vouchers can be used to pay the apartment owners. HUD also offers help to individuals with their mortgages and avoiding foreclosures.
Medical Assistance: For West Virginia Residents, Medicaid is a program that’s available to provide medical care to low income individuals and families. Eligibility is determined by citizenship and income size. Medicaid will also cover children under the age of 19 and pregnant women. AccessWV is a health insurance plane for West Virginia residents that have severe, chronic or preexisting illnesses or conditions.
Educational Assistance: The College Foundation of West Virginia can help students pursue higher education. Once a student completes the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), they can then find their eligibility for different financial aid options. Find a list of West Virginia need-based grants and scholarships at the state level here.
Community Action Center: The West Virginia Community Action Partnership is an organization that has 16 community action agencies across the state. They serve as a voice for low income individuals and fight to reduce the rates of poverty and raise the rates of self-sufficiency, independence and family strength.
Charities: WV WORKS is an excellent program that is meant to help dependent and at risk families. They give cash assistance and grants to low income families who are found to be eligible. They help these families to become self-sufficient, find employment and get job training. The School Clothing Allowance (SCA) is another charity that can help provide clothing grants to school-aged children of low-income families.
Learn more about free items and other money assistance services in West Virginia, 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 West Virginia. 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 West Virginia. 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 West Virginia, 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 West Virginia. 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 West Virginia 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 West Virginia like most of the country are extremely high. This can put serious pressure 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.
