Money Assistance North Dakota – Help paying bills, rent, loans & more
With 11.8 percent of the population living at or below poverty level and 12 percent of children considered to be living in poverty, North Dakota ranks in the top 10 for lowest poverty levels in the country. Despite having lower poverty levels than most states, there are many people who need help paying their bills every month. If you need assistance meeting some of your basic needs, there are multiple resources available.
Below are multiple ways to get financial help in North Dakota. Services that include help paying bills, rent, food/groceries, personal loans, debt relief and as mentioned various government benefits and support agencies across Fargo, Bismarck, Grand Forks and all other cities in North Dakota.
Social Security Loans (SSI)
Many residents living in North Dakota 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: Residents in North Dakota can get help with their utility bills through the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). Applicants are required to submit an application each season to qualify for funds and applicants must also meet specific financial restrictions. A family of four must make less than $51,000 per year to qualify. In addition residents can get assistance through Energy Share North Dakota. This program relies on private donations to assist needy families.
Food Assistance: North Dakota residents can apply for assistance to help supplement their food bill each month through the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP), also known as food stamps. Residents are required to provide information about income, residency and employment to qualify. Residents can use the calculator tool to determine if they qualify. The Women, Infant and Children program provide help to pregnant women or women with children under five.
Loan Help: It you are dealing with financial issues that require cash, while options may be limited, there are decent loans available. Avoid short-term payday type loans and utilize non-profit and mainstream lenders who practice responsible lending. See different loan options here.
Rent and Mortgage: Low-income families can get access to lower rent through the Section 8 housing program offered by the Department of Housing and Urban Development. Residents may also be able to get help with Rental Assistance through the North Dakota Housing Finance Agency. Residents may either pay 30 percent of their adjusted gross income towards rent through the moderate rehabilitation program or receive a low-income housing tax credit.
Medical Assistance: Qualifying residents can get help with their medical bills through the North Dakota Medicaid Program. The Medicaid program offers free health insurance to qualifying families. Children may also be covered through the CHIP (Children’s Health Insurance Program) if their family doesn’t qualify for Medicaid. Residents can also take advantage of clinics that charge based on income level, to help reduce their expenses.
Educational Assistance: Potential college students may qualify for assistance with their tuition and fees through the Federal Pell Grant Program, which provides free grants to students who meet income restrictions. Students may have their entire tuition paid for through the Tuition Assistance Program offered by the North Dakota National Guard. Students must agree to serve at least six years (including 2 years following college) to receive funds.
Community Action Centers: North Dakota residents can receive additional support through local community action centers like the Community Action Partnership which offers counseling, housing assistance, access to food pantries and classes on self-sufficiency. Residents can get help apply for programs and find help looking for work.
Charities: North Dakota is ranked as the 25th most charitable state, according to the Wallet Hub. This means there are plenty of opportunities for needy families and individuals to get the help they need through various charities. Popular charities in North Dakota include: The Ronald McDonald House, Sanford Children’s Clinic, God’s Child Project (which targets families with children living in poverty), and Red Cross. Residents can contact individual charities to receive assistance. Several Food Pantries throughout the state are provided by the Catholic Church.
Learn more about free items and other money assistance services in North Dakota, 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 North Dakota. 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 North Dakota. 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 North Dakota, 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 North Dakota. 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 North Dakota 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 North Dakota 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.
