Money Assistance Oklahoma – Help paying bills, rent, loans & more
Oklahoma ranks among states with the highest poverty rates, coming in at 35 out of 50 according to Poverty USA. With 16.8 percent of state residents considered living at or below the national poverty level and nearly 25 percent of children in Oklahoma live in poverty. If you are struggling to make ends meet and can use some financial assistance, there are numerous things you can do.
Below are multiple ways to get financial help in Oklahoma. Services that include help paying bills, rent, food/groceries, personal loans, debt relief and as mentioned various government benefits and support agencies across Oklahoma City, Tulsa, Norman and all other cities in Oklahoma.
Social Security Loans (SSI)
Many residents living in Oklahoma 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: Oklahoma residents can get assistance with their utility bills through several programs The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program which offers heating and cooling assistance, weatherization programs and assistance with repairs on heating and cooling units to low-income households - You must reapply each season. The Salvation Army offers utility assistance through their programs in partnership with various gas companies. The Salvo programs are generally for the elderly and disabled who cannot pay their bills.
Food Assistance: You may qualify for assistance through the state food stamp program, SNAP. Residents must meet poverty level standards to qualify for assistance. The program provides a monthly stipend to help cover the cost of meals for the family. Additionally, women may qualify for assistance through the Women, Infant and Children (WIC) program, which provides vouchers for specific food items for low-income women with children under the age of 5. Students who come from a low-income home may qualify for reduced or free lunch at school.
Rent and Mortgage: Residents may qualify for assistance with rent through the Housing and Urban Development program which offers low-income families reduced rent in Section 8 housing programs. You can also apply for help through the Neighborhood Services Organization which helps families avoid homelessness.
Cash Help: Sometimes grants and benefits aren’t enough or can’t cover certain expenses. If you are in need of a loan then visit our section on responsible lending which provide ethical options beyond Payday lending. See our Additional Services & Resources area.
Medical Assistance: Residents can get help with medical expenses through the state Medicaid program. The program offers free health insurance coverage to families who fall at or below poverty level. The CHIP (Children’s Health Insurance Program) offers low-cost health insurance coverage for children in families that don’t qualify for Medicaid. You may also apply for assistance through SoonerCare which is designed for children, low-income families with children under 18 years-old, the disabled and elderly individuals over 65.
Educational Assistance: Students in Oklahoma may qualify for financial aid through the Federal Pell Grant Program. Students must attend college full time and meet certain financial restrictions. Additionally students can receive help through the Oklahoma College Assistance Program. The program offers help with student loans and access to college financial aid programs. You may also qualify for financial assistance from the Oklahoma Division of Student Assistance. Low-income families may also receive help through the Head Start program.
Community Action Centers: Oklahoma residents can get more access to assistance with housing, utilities, food and medical needs through the Community Action Agency of Oklahoma and Oklahoma Canadian Counties (CAA of OKC). Residents can find more information about local community action centers through the Oklahoma Association of Community Action Agencies. These programs offer assistance with homelessness and unemployment in addition to other outreach programs.
Charities: Oklahoma is ranked as the 24th most giving state in the country according to WalletHub. Residents can access help though many different charities including: Operation Roundup is a program that is designed to provide money to needy families pay for expenses that are not being covered by other assistance programs. The grants include funds for housing, utilities, food, clothing and education assistance. Other options include the American Red Cross of Central Oklahoma, EARC (Employment and Residential Centers) and Goodwill Industries. The charities provide housing, clothing, food and education assistance for families in need.
Learn more about free items and other money assistance services in Oklahoma, 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 Oklahoma. 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 Oklahoma. 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 Oklahoma, 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 Oklahoma. 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 Oklahoma 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 Oklahoma 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.
