Money Assistance Mississippi – Help paying bills, rent, loans & more
According to Poverty USA, Mississippi has the highest poverty rate in the nation. An estimated 24 percent of all residents live at or below the poverty level and 34 percent of children in Mississippi are living without enough money to cover basic needs. If you are struggling to make ends meet and pay your monthly expenses, there are a range of services to help cover most living needs.
Below are multiple ways to get financial help in Mississippi. Services that include help paying bills, rent, food/groceries, personal loans, debt relief and as mentioned various government benefits and support agencies across Jackson, Gulfport, Southaven and all other cities in Mississippi.
Social Security Loans (SSI)
Many residents living in Mississippi 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: If you need help covering your utility expenses, you may qualify for help through the Mississippi Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program. Residents can get help covering monthly energy expenses if they meet certain income criteria. In addition, residents may qualify for help through The Power to Care which offers funds to help assist elderly and disabled residents with their utility expenses.
Food Assistance: Mississippi residents may qualify for help with their monthly food bill through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. This program offers a monthly stipend to help offset the cost of groceries. In addition, residents can get assistance with food from area Food Banks. Pregnant women and women with children under the age of 5 can apply for monthly food checks from the Women, Infant and Children (WIC) program. Families with elementary-school aged children can qualify for free or reduced lunch through area school districts.
Help with Loans: If you are finding it difficult to qualify for a personal loan, there are options out there – that do not include payday loans. There are specialty loans provided by banks and many non-profits provide different forms of funding or assistance as well. Visit our low interest low income loans section.
Rent and Mortgage: If you are struggling to cover the cost of your rent or mortgage you could qualify for help through Housing and Urban Development (HUD), which provides access to subsidized housing though the Section 8 Housing program. Additionally, HUD can also offer financial assistance with deposits and monthly rent payments. You may also qualify for financial assistance through the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Program. (TANF)
Medical Assistance: Mississippi residents who need help covering their medical expenses can get help through the state Medicaid program. The program offers free health insurance to families who fall below a certain income level. In addition, families who don’t qualify for medical assistance through Medicaid may qualify for help with the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). Low-income families can get free health care at free clinics located throughout the state.
Educational Assistance: Mississippi has several programs and grants designed to help students from low-income families including the Mississippi Tuition Grant which is offered through RiseUp! Mississippi. This program offers access to tuition assistance for private schools as well as college. In addition students can apply for grants through the Federal Pell Grant Program which offers free college money to students who attend college full time and come from low-income families.
Community Action Centers: Low-income families and residents who need additional support can find help through area Community Action Centers. The Mississippi Association of Community Action Agencies helps families find the help they need, including access to community resources. In addition, you can find help with finding jobs and training for employment. Low-income families can get help with applications and immediate help in emergency situations.
Charities: According to WalletHub, Mississippi is the 39th most giving state. Despite the higher number of families in poverty, there are plenty of resources for families and individuals in need. In addition to public resources, you may find help through local charities including Coastal Women for Change, Wingard Home Ministry, Boys and Girls Clubs and the American Family Association. You can find more local charities here.
Learn more about free items and other money assistance services in Mississippi, 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 Mississippi. 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 Mississippi. 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 Mississippi, 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 Mississippi. 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 Mississippi 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 Mississippi 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.
