Money Assistance Rhode Island – Help paying bills, rent, loans & more

Rhode Island ranks at number 24 for poverty level according to Poverty USA. With 14.3 percent of residents living in poverty, there is a great deal of the population experiencing financial stress. Luckily there are numerous programs in place via the government and non-profits to assist people who need help paying their monthly bills in addition to many more services. If you are struggling to cover some of your basic necessities, you may qualify for assistance.

Below are multiple ways to get financial help in Rhode Island. Services that include help paying bills, rent, food/groceries, personal loans, debt relief and as mentioned various government benefits and support agencies across Providence, Cranston, Warwick and all other cities in Rhode Island.

Social Security Loans (SSI)
Many residents living in Rhode Island 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: Rhode Island residents can get help with heating and energy bills through the Low Income Energy Assistance Program, which offers financial assistance for heating bills during the winter. Families can also get help with winterizing their home and catching up on past-due utility bills. Residents must meet income guidelines to qualify for help. You must reapply every year. In addition, action centers also provide energy assistance.

Food Assistance: If you need help getting food on your table, you may be able to get a monthly stipend to help assist with your grocery bill. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as Food Stamps, provides help to low-income families. Women with small children or who are pregnant may qualify for help through the Women, Infant and Children (WIC) program. Additionally, families can get more support through local food banks which provide food to the needy. Families with school-aged children can also apply free or get reduced lunch rates for their kids through the local school district.

Loan Assistance: If you have had trouble qualifying for a loan from a bank and do not want to take out an expensive micro or payday loan, then try a specialty loan. Get detail on a range of loan options provide by credit unions, some banks and non-profits. These specialty loans were created to provide borrowers a cheaper alternative to the payday type loans - Learn about these loans here.

Rent and Mortgages: Families who are living on a low-income may qualify for assistance through Section 8 Housing, which offers subsidized housing units in a safe environment. Residents must apply and meet certain financial levels to qualify. In addition, Rhode Island Housing offers help through Safe Haven (housing for homeless individuals) and Transitional Housing (low-cost housing to help formerly homeless individuals become self-sufficient).
Medical Assistance: Low-income families can get free health insurance through the state Medicaid program. The program is income based and requires an interview as well as proof of financial need. If you have children under the age of 18, and don’t qualify for Medicaid coverage, you may be able to get lower-cost health insurance for your children through the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). You’ll have to pay a premium every three months, but it is more affordable than traditional insurance. In addition, residents can take advantage of low-cost health care through free clinics.

Educational Assistance: Rhode Island students can get help through the Rhode Island Higher Education Assistance Authority which provides access to grants, scholarships and other college funds. In addition, residents can apply for help through the Federal Pell Grant Program which offers free grants to students from lower-income families. Families with small children can get help for early education through the state’s Head Start Program.

Community Action Centers: If you need additional support, you may be able to get the help you need through Community Action of Rhode Island. These centers offer assistance to low-income families including food, health care and emergency housing. Additionally, you may be able to get help training for and finding a job.

Charities: According to Wallethub, Rhode Island ranks as the 43 most-giving state in the country. While this is one of the lowest on the list, there are still plenty of chances to get help through local charities like Plan USA and Rhode Island Center for Assisting Those in Need.

Learn more about free items and other money assistance services in Rhode Island, 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 Rhode Island. 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 Rhode Island. 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 Rhode Island, 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 Rhode Island. 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 Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island like most of the country are extremely high. This can put serious pressure 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.