A Roundup of Every Kind of Emergency Financial Help I Can Think Of…(Money for the Needy)

You will read a lot of nonsense on the internet about emergency grants for needy individuals. Most of it is hogwash. You will click links that you think will be helpful, and they will point you to books that cost $39, $99, or some other silly amount of money. Don’t buy them. Trust me, they will rip you off. And if you see an ad for a free seminar somewhere in a hotel room, run away as fast as your legs can carry you. 

The problem is, we are in a depression/recession, and politicians are afraid of spending a penny for an increasingly desperate nation with lots of poor people. Unless, of course, you are a defense contractor, or a millionaire who is terrified that your taxes might go up. Then our politicians can’t wait to come to your rescue.  Enough of my rant. The following is my total rundown of all I know right now about emergency financial help, anywhere in the country. And I swear it won’t cost you a single penny. Here goes:

• Try 211. Many areas of the country have a 2-1-1 phone number that can be dialed for help in finding emergency housing, food, power, etc. Check this link to see if you are covered by 211.
• You can locate food banks close to your home by entering your zip code in this site by Feeding America.  For more food assistance, here's more from Feeding America.
• Try your county human services office. This is called by different names, depending on your state. In Ohio, it’s Jobs and Family Services. It was once the old Welfare Department in most places, now it's often called Family Services or Human Services. Here's the state contacts--they can tell you how to get in touch with the county people.  Despite the crap you read on internet sites, it is still the place that has the most funds for individuals. THIS is where you apply for TANF money, NOT directly from the federal government.  Please contact them if you have children, since many funds and programs are designed to support families with minor children.
• WIC is a program to insure that minor children and pregnant women have food. Find the toll-free contact number for each state here.
• If you are in need of medical care, try the federal site for your insurance options. Here’s the list of free and low cost clinics around the country. For people with no insurance, here’s a link to find out if you are eligible for free prescription drugs from the manufacturers.
• Are you a veteran? Try your county veterans’ office, (find it with this link). It’s the first line of emergency help for veterans.  Also, try this really good link from the Coalition for Homeless Veterans.
• Are you eligible for benefits like food stamps or other financial help? In several states, you can see this website, or dial this number to find a place where a trained counselor can help you find cash benefits that you are eligible for (if you are disabled, they will come to your house and work with you). Or try this link to find websites where you can check your own eligibility for benefits.
• Do you need help with your heating and energy bills? Check this website to find your state energy aid office. If worse comes to worst, here’s the rundown of shutoff laws in each state—circumstances in which they can’t shut off your power.
• Don’t count out local churches and church charities and social agencies. They often help people who are not of their faith. Some big ones to consider are the Salvation Army, Catholic Charities, Jewish Family Services or Charities, and Lutheran Social Services.  Click the links to find a local office.