I am so behind on my bills and am broke. How can I find help for my kids for Christmas?

The NATIONWIDE organizations listed below can assist you with your basic needs, including: food, clothing, rent, utilities, transportation, back to school needs, medical, dental, and holiday needs.

IF they cannot assist you, they may be able to refer you to someone who can.

Government benefits
Find out what government benefits you may qualify for

Local benefits by state
Select a State from the map to view a list of the selected State's benefit programs.

SSA.gov
To apply for Social Security Disability or Supplemental Security Income

Department of Labor
Can assist with: unemployment, job search, resumes, job training, wage and hour, layoffs, overtime, workplace safety, retirement and health benefits, and disability questions.

211.org

Community Action Organization

St Vincent De Paul

Red Cross

United Way

Catholic Charities

Salvation Army

WIC
Specifically for pregnant/postpartum women and children UNDER 5

HEAP
utility assistance

FOOD STAMPS - OFFICES BY STATES

Social Services

American Public Human Services Association

Internet site that list social service agencies by state

A NATIONWIDE listing of social services offices and applications online

HUD - RENTAL ASSISTANCE
If you need rental assistance this is the place to start. Subsidized housing is based on your income and often times it is much quicker to get into a subsidized apartment than to wait for a Section 8 Subsidy approval
Also check out how subsidized rent is determined

Ways to Work
A LOAN program specifically for low income families in need of a car or car repair, who do NOT qualify for conventional loans.

http://www.alliance1.org/Programs/Waystowork.htm

Support for military personnel and their families
Assistance just for military and their families

Free Application for Federal Student Aid - FAFSA
government grants to finance your education

United Health Care Childrens Foundation
Grants, up to $5,000, can help families pay for the costs associated with therapies such as speech, physical and psychotherapy sessions; for medical equipment such as wheelchairs, braces, hearing aids and eye glasses; and for orthodontia and dental treatments.

MODEST NEEDS
non-profit organization reaching out to hard-working individuals and families who suddenly find themselves faced with small, emergency expenses that they have no way to afford on their own

OPEN DIRECTORY PROJECT
Listing of organizations which grant wishes to disabled, terminally ill, children and adults.

Prosper
loan program for people - from people

Partnership for Prescription Assistance
assistance with medications for those without insurance

Donated Dental services
In each state at least one program coordinator is responsible for determining that applicants are either disabled, elderly or medically compromised and have no other way for paying for dental care.

Together Rx
discount card for prescriptions

Toys for Tots
Christmas assistance for families with children

FREECYCLE
looking for something? Getting rid of something? Check out FreeCycle!

MONEY MANAGEMENT

Credit counseling

CCCS

NFCC

money management. org

credit.org

ATTORNEYS

probono attys

divorce source

PETS

If you need financial assistance, for a pet who is ill, check out this page:
National financial assistance organizations for pets

FEMA

FEMA NATIONAL SITE

Childrens Healthcare Emergencies

United Health Care Children’s Fund might be able to help. "Grants, up to $5,000, can help families pay for the costs associated with therapies such as speech, physical and psychotherapy sessions; for medical equipment such as wheelchairs, braces, hearing aids and eye glasses; and for orthodontia and dental treatments."

united health care

HOUSING

HUD/SECTION 8/Govt subsidized housing
Section 8 housing usually has a long list because the subsidy is attached to the person, not the property. This means that regardless of where the person lives, they still get the subsidy. In NY the waiting list is 8-10 years.

****If at anytime, you are denied accessibility to applying for any program, you should contact your local city, county, or state leaders and have them intervene on your behalf. - THIS APPLIES TO ANYONE WHO IS DENIED ASSISTANCE.

HOWEVER, there is another alternative. Subsidized housing where the subsidy stays with the property rather than with the renter. You would still pay the same amount of rent - it is based on your income - but you would have to move into a government subsidized property.

In most cases, these are handicapped accessible, family oriented, all the maintenance is included - among other things.

I am including the link for HUD below - just click on the proper state and take it from there. You will need a minimal security deposit - which you can possibly get paid by social services or another charitable organization.

Regardless of how long the list is you should still be able to be put on the list.
Contributed links:

hud rental assistance

fair housing act

home page

Americans with disabilities act homepage

GRANTS

evander holyfield foundation

prosper – loan program

modest needs

FOOD CO-OPs

Find a food co-op near you!

http://www.coopdirectory.org/

NEW FROM ELAINE !!!

8/29/07

nichy org - resources

is it a scam?

8/6/07 ~ A GREAT LINK FROM SANDY 6

looking for grants? here is a great place to start!

AZOGROUP.COM

How To Locate Small Business Grants,
Government Grants, and Other Grant Money

***7/28/07 More great links from ELAINE***

HAC - HOUSING ASSISTANCE COUNCIL
Does NOT help individuals, BUT does have a lot of information and links for individuals- please browse through the site for more information.

***More from ELAINE 7/22/07***

FREE MEDICAL CAMPS

pro bono" financial planning assistance

We provide personal financial guidance to members of the public who cannot afford a financial advisor, or who are facing an immediate or unusual financial need.

****NEW from ELAINE! 7/19/07***

GRASSROOTS.ORG
This is one site you have to see for yourself! If you want to start a non-profit, volunteer, get involved, or just do some research, this is the place to start!
From Grassroots:

"The mission of Grassroots.org is to serve as a catalyst for positive social change by leveraging modern technologies and business best practices. Grassroots.org spreads important social information via our network of socially-focused web sites, while also providing non-profit organizations with free valuable resources to increase their efficiency and productivity.

Our ultimate goal is to adopt 10,000 nonprofit members, and to provide them each with an average of $10,000 of services per year at no charge (for a total savings of $100 million per year!). Additionally we will continually develop over 30 high profile nonprofit Internet portals in cooperation with specialist partners, utilizing high profile domains such as PlanetEarth.org, Relief.org, ImmigrationReform.com, Philanthropists.org, Diseases.org, Homeless.org, Crime.org, Liberties.com, and Childrens.net

We strive to deliver clear and objective information that is usable by everyday global citizens, with extra emphasis on issues facing the United States. Our social action websites are designed to encourage individuals to get involved in their communities and to provide them with the information they need to make a difference.

We focus on everyday citizens by offering free action oriented information on our sites, via our forums - and through our social action email addresses, blogs, and other technologies. We provide individuals with ways to express themselves, learn, share, and to volunteer on important projects.

We focus on nonprofits by offering free services including our one of a kind Grassroots Toolbox full of free valuable web based services – plus full-featured web hosting, free domain registration, free website design, mentoring services, consulting and more."

Also from ELAINE...

Emergency food and shelter board program

The EFSP National Board does not provide direct client assistance. Direct assistance is provided through a variety of resources, which may include EFSP funding in your community. If you are in search of assistance for yourself or someone you know, you should look in the community services section of your local telephone directory. You should find these pages in the front of your directory and should look for listings for American Red Cross, Catholic Charities or Catholic Social Services, The Salvation Army, United Way Information and Referral, or other non-profit service providers. You may also click on Funded Organizations, here or on the EFSP homepage, to find organizations funded through EFSP in your community who may be able to assist or refer you to the appropriate assistance.

SEX OFFENDER

Is there a sex offender living near you?
find out here

My name is Jennifer I have a little girl  she is 4 years old and a son thats 2 1/2 years old My little girl is going to school this year I can't afford clothes for her and I am going back as well to try to better my life for my kids if I can get the aid I need at the college I will need a car to get there and back so any help would be greatfull I am living shut off notice to another my gas was turned off  I find my self crying alot and it really gets to me when my little girl wants to know why I am crying and why we don't have any food someone gave me the idea to ask for 1.00 to help trust me I can think of alot I can do with a dollar if could everyone to send a dollar when I get out of debt I will do the same I know how it is to stuggle  me and my childern would me greatfull  PayPal it's free the420sk8rgirl@yahoo.com or  anything we would be greatful we are in real need thank you for taking the time to read this and god bless all of you I wish u all the best of luck  

http://www.digitalcharity.com/m.php?id=7772

Jennifer

I need help with my bills, and fixing my home

Hello my name is Amy and I am a single mom of three boys from Colorado.  I lost my job in April due to witnessing a near drowning of a small child last summer which led to severe PTSD and panic disorder.  I got to the child first and she was blue and foaming at the mouth and I was unable to perform CPR even though I knew it, I just froze.  We are about to be kicked out of our house, and have shut off notices for everything.  I have tried everything I can think of to get a loan but to no avail.  I have raised my boys on my own and have been through two very abusive relationships and am no longer in them.  I had a very good job but could not keep it due to the stress of the job on top of the many panic attacks I had per day.  I just need some help, I am willing to pay you back with interest.  The story is much longer than this but I will end it here for now.  Thank you in advance - Amy - Grand Junction, CO

i lost my job..im looking for a job .been looking since 8-8-05.lost my job of 5 years on 8-6-05..i have bill comming in for the stove and frige and ac unit..total is 299.00 every two weeks. to pay in full is 3000.00 total my friends have been helpin me but they cant any more..the lot rent is 390.00 monthly..that is why im asking for a 5000.00 grant..i will pay back if i can get one.my credit score in not good.. when i get a job soon i will pay it back...thank you for your time...

martin estrada

Please e-mail me direct at..... Troublentaken@msn.com ... thank you!

I am a mother of four with a husband who was recently reactivated by the army. I was unable to keep my job and do not have daycare to work. I need emergency assistance with rent and bills.

Hi, I am in a financial twist right now. My husband had gone to school to be a CNA. While in the class for 6 weeks we got behind in rent. I had to go out and find a job and leave my 2 children at home with my sister. My job paid 6.15 an hour. Our rent is $558.00. My husband is now out of school looking for a job, he found one, and now we get paid every 2 weeks, our next pay check is August 25th. It will only be Almost 500.00.We need to come up with $1400.00 by the end of this month or we will get evicted. I have 2 childrens a 2 year old and 4 year old. Our family wont help us out, churchs wont help us. This is our last resort. Please if you could help us we would deeply appreciate it. Thank you and God Bless....

Tya and Bob

Hello everyone, please do not flag this. I have cancer and cannot work, my husband is a local truck driver who works hard but is having to switch companies due to his present company is losing contracts. We are trying this as a last effort. We have applied for help with several agencies and have been denied due to income. I have applied for disability several timnes and was denied and presently have a lawyer working on this. We really need help with our mortgage. We have been paying as we should. We did get behind and they mortgage company said they would work with us, well they have decided that they want it now. They tried to refinance the loan but due to hospital bills and when we were behind they will not. They have given us till February 15 to come up with $7000, that includes late fees and interest charges. We are doing without some things to try and save this, my son is working and trying to help. We are begging for anyone to help with any of it. Please we are good Christian people and do not want to lose our home we have struggled to keep.

My wife to be doesn't work, and hasn't for a year now. We have a new baby (born 7-6-05). We only owe a total of $4600 between the both of us. I need to get my car running and registered/ insurance. All the bill collectors want all of thir money now. I'm falling behind, trying to juggle bills and get us out of debt. I pay 12 different bills a month. I am a insulin dependent diabetic 25yrs old with no heath insurance. I need a loan or grant to help me get back to normal. Stressed Out over BILLS. Nobody will give me a loan because I haven't had a loan before...well, I've never needed one this bad. I grew up feeling poor, growing up in a broken disfunctional home. I've never been on a vacation, but I won't miss a day of work. I am trying to make a good life for my wife and child, and I'm soooo close to getting it.

iis anyone readning my posts i haven't got an responds  am a caring,kind hearted person that just needs some help i am  disabled and low income anyone know of any help i am in need of help i can't pay 900.00 that is back owed for my car does anyone know of any programs that can help

I am searching for a grant to assist with my living expenses while I complete my college education next year. Money for rent, utilities, and car would help a great deal while I am attending school full time. Because I am working right now, I am not eligible for assistance from a Pell grant, but next school year I can not work full time, because I will be in school full time.

I AM A SINGLE MOM OF TWO.  I HAVE SPINA BIFIDA AND WORK FULL TIME AND GO TO SCHOOL FULL TIME.  I AM VERY MOTIVATED BY MY CHILDREN TO MAKE A BETTER LIFE FOR US.  I NEED HELP.  I AM IN COLUMBUS WITH NO FAMILY AND I FEEL ALL ALONE.  I GUESS OUT OF SITE OUT OF MIND.  I MOVED HERE FROM CHICAGO WHEN I WAS 10 WITH MY PARENTS SINCE THEN MY DAD HAS DIED AND MOM IS NOWHERE TO BE FOUND, I AM NOW 34. ME AND MY CHILDREN DIDNT HAVE THANKSGIVING DINNER AND WONT HAVE CHRISTMAS BECAUSE I NEED MONEY DESPERATLY.  I EMPTIED OUT MY RETIREMENT TO GET MY HOME OUT OF FORECLOSURE NOW MY PAYMENTS ARE SO HIGH I CAN ONLY PAY RENT AND NOTHING ELSE.  I AM SO TIRED OF LIVIN PAY CHECK TO PAY CHECK. I TYPED INTO MY COMPUTER "I NEED MONEY" AND FOUND THIS SITE.  IF THERE IS ANYONE OUT THERE THAT CAN HELP ME PLEASE DO.  IF I COULD I WOULD RETURN THE FAVOR.  I JUST NEED A BREAK.  MY BILL RIGHT NOW ADD UP TO 7000 DOLLARS.  THAT IS RENT THAT I AM ALMOST BEHIND IN AND ALL OTHER UTILITIES THAT ARE READY TO BE SHUT OFF.  I DONT QUALIFY FOR AID BECAUSE I MAKE TOO MUCH BUT WHEN I SAT DOWN TO CREATE BUDGET MY BILLS ARE MORE THAN I MAKE AND AS FAR AS SCHOOL NEXT QUARTER I DONT KNOW WHERE THE MONEY IS COMING FROM.  PLEASE HELP ANYONE I AM DESPERATE AND I DONT KNOW WHAT ELSE TO DO.

my name is gracie i am married to a wonderful man and have two wonderful sons one 11 and the other 2 at this time in our lives we are haveing it hard my husband and i have wrote two books at www.lulu.com we have them on the market to be sold but any help or advise we would apprecate

• UC davis Health System - search thru volumes for clinical trials

• UNC Health care - clinical trials

• UNC @ chapel Hill, NC - studies

• clinical trials - nationwide listings

• Univ of Iowa - office of clinical research

• dental research study - Austin, TX

• dental implant study - Dallas, TX

• volunteers needed for various studies - bethesda, MD

• dental studies - Kentucky

Ohio Dental association - assistance for low income individuals

American Dental Association
Check with your local dental society for low cost and free dental programs in your area.  

Community Outreach
[Oregon] Extremely low cost medical and dental care for low-income families without health insurance (may require $10 for visit); services for homeless families (FIT) include access to FIT food bank, household and toiletries or personal hygiene supplies. (541) 758-3000 Community Outreach, Inc. 865 NW Reiman Ave • Corvallis, OR • 97330  

Dental Care in TN
[Tennessee] How to get dental care for low income adults in Tennessee.  

Dentistry For All
[Massachusetts] A program for low income individuals and families who do not have dental insurance or Medicaid (state assistance) coverage are eligible to participate. The program is open to Massachusetts residents only. Offers reduce fees at participating dentists for most dental services.  

free medical/dental clinics -listed by state

Donated dental services

Virginia – donated dental services

Salt Lake City, Utah 2

Salt Lake City, Utah 3

Wisconsin

Arkansas

New Mexico 1

New Mexico 2

New Mexico 3

seattle/king county

Indiana

Kansas

Still in need of help!  Dealing with Financial troubles badly!  our home is in forclosure and were about to lose everything!  Can't believe that I have been looking for help since Last year to keep from getting this way, and nothing but scammer after scammer gets in touch with me!  there doesn't seem to be anyone out there anymore that has a soul that would or even could help anyone that is having trouble anymore.  been working on getting things caught up but still falling behind with everrything going up all the time.  just about can live or raise a family!  want has this world gotten too.  it's a shame!  I pray all the time that things get better and so far nothing is working right for me.  I have faith and my heart keeps telling me that things are going to get better, but I hope I'm not trying to raise a family in the streets by the time that this would come true.  God Bless all of US!

I help people save money on healthcare.  I also help people work from home.

http://www.BenefitsByRosie.com

: This aidpage was started as a comment on "WHO ~ KNEW?"

If you are looking for help, these are the first places to look. There is a TON of information on all of these pages and everyone has taken a lot of time to search for this information and post it for you to use.

Since my divorce 4 years ago I have learned to be very self sufficient, but in the last year things have taken a turn for the worse. Even though I do work at a good paying job which pays me weekly (avg of $500, after taxes and child support), I have suffered cutbacks in hours, and bonus which is now making it near impossible to keep juggling my rent, car payment, car insurance, electricity, phone, plus put food on the table and gas in the car. It has gotten bad enough where I am starting to sell things I own, such as my musical equipment (I used to be in bands, but that did not pay out for me). My emergency money that was supposed to tide me over in event of job cutbacks... gone since months ago, and as a result... everything is falling behind further!

I desperately need a lump sum gift of money to at least stabilize myself, and I can take it from there. If everything were caught up I could float myself once more, and not have a need to be on this particular forum. I am not the kind of person to ask for handouts... but I am so depressed at this stage in the game that I will take anything, as long as it is legal!

By my calculations (as of beginning of december this year):

rent - 3300. behind
electricity - 1500. behind
car - 620 behind

This does not include the current month's bills.

avg bill amts:

rent $600
electricity $120
car $310
phone $80
insurance $120
water $60 (paid to landlady)

The top three, those three are the big killers. I have tried to keep phone up at least for the internet connection, and because that would be a huge embarrassment to me since I WORK there! Electricity should have been shut off months ago... maybe I fell through the cracks but I am sure my luck is running out. How my landlady has not evicted me yet is beyond me, but her patience is wearing REALLY thin, and I cannot keep making promises to everyone then having to pick and choose who will actually get paid this week. I think this month will either make or break me. This is sickening to me to be like this... and if I am able to get someone's help I vow never to get myself in such a mess. All I need... is a one shot deal...

Ideally if it were possible to get a gift of $10,000 I know that would not only wipe out the arrears, but also keep me in position to stay AHEAD of all bills instead of behind. I know that is a large amount, considering the debt listed above, but there are other past debts I would like to clear as well such as chiropractor that look bad on my record and I would like to improve my credit not just stave off the axe man. Even $5000 will at least get some of the pressure off of me.

Miscellaneous items you need to know. My daughter now lives with me, she is 11. Her mother does as well but she is losing her car this week to reposession. They have been here since October, tripling my grocery bill. Her mother does work but she will more than likely lose the job when the car goes. She is looking for something within walking distance or bus route as we speak.

I feel like Princess Leia in Star Wars... "Help me Obi Wan Kenobi, you're my only hope...."

I desperately plead for someone to reach out... I in turn when I get on my feet, will pass it on, as I was raised to do.