Money Assistance Florida – Help paying bills, rent, loans & more
Poverty USA is an organization aimed at reducing the poverty rates in America. Currently, Florida is ranked number 36 in terms of its poverty level compared to other states. 17% of residents in Florida are living at or below the poverty line. Fortunately, Florida has worked to provide programs to assist individuals and families in need.
Below are multiple ways to get financial help in Florida. Services that include help paying bills, rent, food/groceries, personal loans, debt relief and as mentioned various government benefits and support agencies across Miami, Jacksonville, Tampa and all other cities in Florida.
Social Security Loans (SSI)
Many residents living in Florida 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: The Low Income Heating and Energy Assistance Program is available to Florida residents who need help paying utility bills. Based on your income, this program will send the benefits directly to the energy provider in order to reduce your utility bill. Eligibility is 150% of the Federal poverty level. If you don’t qualify for this particular program, contact your local community action center as they can also offer help paying utilities.
Food Assistance: If you need help paying for food, the Florida Department of Children and Families can assist. SNAP benefits help low income people and families to be able to afford to buy food. The program’s goal is to provide Florida residents with better access to healthy foods and in turn receive better nutrition. The SUNCAP program is an additional food assistance program for people who receive Supplemental Security income.
Loan Help: Getting a loan as a low income earner can be difficult. There are however many options available through non-profits, credit unions and even the banks through specialty loans in partnership with the government. Learn more about these loans here.
Rent and Mortgage: If you’re a resident of Florida and you’re in need of rental assistance, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) can help. They provide ways to reduce your rent payments by issuing vouchers that you can use in Public Housing. There are also subsidized apartments which are apartments with reduced rent. Both can be applied for through your local Public Housing Agency (PHA). HUD housing can also assist with mortgage payments.
Medical Assistance: As a Florida resident, you could be eligible for Medicaid. This service pays for medical care for low-income families and individuals. The Department of Children and Families (DCF) will determine your eligibility. It is available to parents of children, pregnant women, children, former foster care individuals, aged or disabled individuals and non-citizens with medical emergencies.
Educational Assistance: In Florida, there are programs available for educational assistance through the Florida Department of Education. They administer a variety of state funded financial aid programs to help people pursue higher education. These include need based grants, merit based scholarships and other types of educational assistance.
Community Action Centers: In order to fight poverty and help residents in need, Florida has Community Action Agencies. They can help you to assess your family’s needs with the Family Self-Sufficiency Program, improve your home’s energy conservation and reduce costs with the Weatherization Assistance Program and assist low income households with the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program. The overall goal is to empower the community and change people’s lives for the better.
Charities: In addition to the help provided on the federal, state and local levels, Florida also has many charities in operation to help those in need. The Barnabas Center helps local residents get back on their feet after a crisis or in times of need with clothing, household items, food, dental and medical care. Boca Helping Hands, Cooperative Feeding Program, JEA and Project Share and Care are all extremely helpful resources also.
Learn more about free items and other money assistance services in Florida, 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 Florida. 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 Florida. 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 Florida, 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 Florida. 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 Florida 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 Florida 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.
