Money Assistance Indiana – Help paying bills, rent, loans & more
According to Poverty USA, Indiana ranks at number 28 in regards to poverty level. With 15.9 percent of state residents living in poverty and 22 percent of children living in poverty - the state falls in line with national averages. If you are among the many families or individuals who need help paying your bills every month, you may qualify for help through one of the many financial programs available throughout the state.
Below are multiple ways to get financial help in Indiana. Services that include help paying bills, rent, food/groceries, personal loans, debt relief and as mentioned various government benefits and support agencies across Indianapolis, Fort Wayne, Evansville and all other cities in Indiana.
Social Security Loans (SSI)
Many residents living in Indiana 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: Indiana residents can get help with their utility bills through the Low Income Heating and Energy Assistance Program. The program provides help for low-income families who need assistance keeping their heat on. Residents must meet income eligibility requirements. The program covers heating expenses from November through the end of April. Some assistance may be available in the summer if funds are available. Residents must be homeowners to qualify for this program. If you don’t qualify you can also get help from the United Way, Salvation Army and Catholic Charities.
Food Assistance: Residents who need help covering their monthly food expenses can get help through the state Food Stamp program. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) provides financial stipends used to purchase food. The program is income based. Residents who don’t qualify for food assistance from the state can get help trough local Food Pantries. Residents may also qualify for the free lunch program for children who attend public school and meet income requirements.
Loan Help: If you are having difficulties obtaining because of your income levels or bad credit, there are genuine options out there. Many banks provide specialty loans which they don’t actively advertise. In addition, there are government, non-profit and credit union options available as well. Learn about these different loan services here.
Rent and Mortgage: Indiana residents can get help paying their rent through the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority. Residents can get help with rental assistance and down payment assistance for new homeowners. Additionally, residents may qualify for reduced housing through the Section 8 Housing Program which offers subsidized units for low-income families. For additional assistance, residents can contact their local Indiana Township Association, which will connect them with local rental assistance programs.
Medical Assistance: Residents who need help paying their medical expenses may qualify for free healthcare coverage through the state Medicaid Program. The program offers free health insurance to qualifying families. Families who don’t qualify for Medicaid may qualify for low-cost coverage for the children in their home through the Children’s Health Insurance Program, which offers a traditional insurance plan at a reduced rate. Residents can get free or reduced health services at free clinics located throughout the state.
Educational Assistance: Students can get help with tuition through the Division of Student Financial Aid. Students can get help apply for grants, loans and scholarships as well as access to helpful information that will increase the chances of receiving awards. Additionally, students can apply for help through the Federal Pell Grant program which offers money for college expenses based on the family’s income level. Students are required to attend college full-time to receive funds. If you have small children at home you may qualify for early-education assistance through the Head Start program.
Community Action Centers: Families in need of emergency assistance or help applying for assistance through other programs can contact their local Indiana Community Action center. The centers provide help with emergency housing and food assistance. Additionally, residents can access education and employment resources at their local community action center.
Charities: According to WalletHub, Indiana is the 16th most giving state in the country! If you need a helping hand, this is great news. With so many people willing to help, access to public and private charity resources abound in Indiana. You can get help through charities like Anchor of Hope Charities, Bread of Life Ministry, Outreach, Inc. and Project Home Indy.
Learn more about free items and other money assistance services in Indiana, 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 Indiana. 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 Indiana. 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 Indiana, 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 Indiana. 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 Indiana 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 Indiana like most of the country are extremely high. This can put serious strange 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.