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

With unemployment rates hovering around 4 percent (Nov 2014) in Idaho, the state is doing much better than most. But, if you are unemployed or your family is going through a tough time financially, getting all of your bills paid can be stressful. You don’t have to do it alone. There are several programs available for families in financial need.

Below are multiple ways to get financial help in Idaho. Services that include help paying bills, rent, food/groceries, personal loans, debt relief and as mentioned various government benefits and support agencies across Idaho.

Social Security Loans (SSI)
Many residents living in Idaho 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: There are several programs available to help assist you with your heating and other utility bills. One Idaho program called Operation Roundup is offered by most utility companies. The program rounds up the electric bills of customers who agree to participate to the next dollar (for example a bill of $51.50 would be $52.00) the funds collected go towards helping those who need assistance with their bills.

Food Assistance: Residents of Idaho can qualify for assistance with their food bill through the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare. The Food Stamp Program provides a stipend each month so families can purchase food. Additionally families in Idaho can also get assistance through various religious organizations including the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints which has a storehouse that provides basic food for no cost to families in need.

Rent and Mortgage: If you need help paying your rent of mortgage bill, you can apply for help through the Idaho Housing and Financing Association. This fund helps families find help through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Section 8 Housing is reserved for low income families and provides affordable housing options. You can find more help at rent assistance which lists organizations that provide help by county.

Medical Assistance: Residents who qualify can receive help through the Idaho Medicaid program. Residents must meet specific financial requirements to qualify for this free healthcare program. Medicaid covers all medical costs including pregnancy, prescriptions and doctor visits. If you don’t qualify for Medicaid you may be able to get help with insurance for any children in your household thorough the CHIP program. Additionally, Operation Roundup does set aside some funds to provide assistance with medical bills.

Educational Assistance: In addition to federal programs like student loans and the Federal Pell Grant, potential students can apply for scholarships based on residency. If your student lives in Idaho and attends and Idaho school they may qualify for a small stipend to help assist with education costs. Operation Roundup also provides financial support for qualifying students. Veteran students can receive special assistance through the Division of Veterans Services.

Community Action Centers: If you need additional assistance you can apply for help through the Community Action Partnership Association of Idaho. The private, non-profit has six different organizations throughout the state. You may qualify for help with food assistance, telephone fees and weatherization costs. You can apply for assistance through the Weatherization Assistance Program, Low-income Home Energy Assistance and the Community Service Block Grant.

Charities: There are several charities in Idaho that provide assistance for food, home, clothing and even programs that provide support for elderly residents. There are a mix of private and religious charities including help through the Catholic Church and the LDS church. Some popular charities in Idaho include the Idaho Falls Food Bank, the Bishop’s Storehouse and Make a Difference. Idaho was ranked in the Top 10 for most charitable states.

Need Loan Help? If you are in a situation that requires cash, for situations such as vehicle or household appliance repair or replacement, visit our loans section which provides numerous responsible options.

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