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

I am in urgent need of serious dental work. Due to my pregnancies being so close together and the medications I was on my teeth have become in serious need of work. We cannot afford to get it done without my children having to suffer so I suffer day to day. I need 1 tooth pulled and several fixed. I cannot find a dentist any where around us that is willing to help or work with us on costs. I would be ever so grateful for any help. I would give anything to be able to truly smile in our next family photo or for my children to look at my smile and say how pretty mommy... anything. My oldest daughter is now in school and I want her to be proud of her mommy not embarrassed

    Each morning, we all awake to innumerable challenges to overcome and tasks to accomplish. Sometimes it is a challenge to get out of bed from lack of sleep, or it is a challenge to get out of debt and live stress free; but within each of us, there is a driving force compelling us to rise above these challenges and complete the tasks at hand. 
     For those of you who were blessed to receive a college degree and not worry about paying tuition in addition to managing 23 credits simultaneously, continue reading.  This is my reality, the evolving story of female engineering student faced with the challenge of  how to pay for tuition and attain the long – desired dream of receiving a college degree.  Every morning I awake to this challenge of paying my tuition before my classes are cancelled, before my meal plan is denied, and before I’m forced to move off campus and take a Leave of Absence; but my driving force to finish my degree compels me to search for new ways of financing my education. Hence, this is my reason for creating this website, to seek assistance in my most desperate time of need.

      I am currently a senior in college majoring in electrical engineering.  This is my sixth week of school and unfortunately, I have a balance on my account of $8000 dollars, and I do not have a single textbook for any of my courses.  My financial aid did not cover the cost of my tuition this semester, and if my balance is not paid immediately I will be forced to take a Leave of Absence for this semester. In fact, the deadline to resolve this issue quickly approaches.
My family is unable to help me because of unexpected expenses such as medical bills and other debt.  I am currently searching for part – time work to make extra money, but by the time I earn enough to pay my tuition I will probably have to leave school.  I have been denied twice for outside loans because I have not established credit and lenders will not approve me. I cannot ask someone in my family to co-sign because of their own debt situation. 
I truly look forward to finishing my degree.  I will be the first person in my family to actually complete college and I am doing everything possible with the help of the Higher Power to accomplish this goal. If anyone reading this message is able to help me get out of this situation by their generous donations and / or loan in which I offer to pay interest, I thank you in advance. 
            I know that either you or someone you know was once in this predicament.  Your generosity during this stressful time is greatly appreciated. No good deed passes without reward in this world. Your assistance in aiding me to complete my education and advance into the prosperous and professional career of engineering will reap plenty of benefits.

Our mission is to assist families that are in need of emergency assistance and also to assist children of incarcerated parents year round, so they will know that someone is there for them. I have been in some situations and I am not really 100% together, but then who is? We do not have the funds yet, but is seeking to kick off this non profit service. I am going back to NIU  and there are just people out there like my children and myself that do not know where else to turn after you have tried everything and truly tried everything to make ends meet so you won't loose your car or your house. So, instead of just giving up i'm going back to school. It is very hard..nothing is really easy. I just don't want my kids to feel neglected because every job I get downsizes or sales the property or the company. I know there is somewhere outhere that can help, I just don't know where. When I do get back on track my mission is to make others happy and provide some relief from the struggles of everyday life for people who really get up and get out there to be a better people to their self and their children. I am still reading the info on here how to actually operate this site so, if I did something incorrecty I do apologize.  God bless anyone who is really out there trying to make a better like. I really mean it. Just pray pray pray and you will receive if you believe.  

 Our email address : t.pservices@yahoo.com                                                                                                                        

CRISIS -----ABUSE--- ELECTRIC IS GOING TO BE CUT OFF---NO HEAT-----NO WATER---SHELTER----LAID OFF--LOST JOB--CLOTHES--HOT LINES----LOST CHILD--CUSTODY--HEAT--SAFE HOUSE--WOMENS -CHILD ABUSE -SHELTER--HELP--PROBLEM KIDS--ANGER--HELP--AID-CRISIS---HOW TO GET A JOB WITH CRIMINAL RECORD--HANDLE A DEBT COLLECTOR---WHAT TO DO FIRST IF YOU JUST CAN'T THINK ANYMORE

________________________________________________

Also , for information that will help with day-to-day living as a low income person , go to this page :

http://national-resources-for-low-income-individuals.app-just-trying-to-help-1.aidpage.com/

I USED TO HAVE PART OF THIS PAGE IN SPANISH , BUT I HAVE FOUND MY TRANSLATION WAS NOT VERY GOOD. HERE IS A SITE WHERE YOU WILL GET TRANSLATION HELP FOR THE WHOLE PAGE :

 TENÍA PARTE DE ESTA PÁGINA EN ESPAÑOL, PERO HE ENCONTRADO MI TRADUCCIÓN NO ERA MUY BUENO. AQUÍ ESTÁ UN SITIO EN DONDE CONSEGUIRÁS LA AYUDA DE LA TRADUCCIÓN PARA LA PÁGINA ENTERA: 

GOOGLE LANGUAGE TOOLS

__________________________________________________________________________

IF YOU ARE HOMELESS AND NEED HELP GO HERE :

THE WORKING HOMELESS TONS OF INFORMATION AND NETWORKING

FOR DISASTER ASSISTANCE

NATURAL DISASTER ASSISTANCE

_____________________________________________________________________

________________

  IF YOU ARE NOT BEING ABUSED , SCROLL PAST THE NEXT SECTION TO THE THREE LINES OF BLUE STARS*******

________________

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

IF YOU ARE BEING ABUSED

 Domestic Violence Hotline:
800.621.HOPE (4673)

Before ANYTHING  ELSE if you or your kids are being abused ;BREAK THE SILENCE ! If you can, leave and go to a safe place.  NOW.

• This can be anywhere the abuser can't find you or where you and your children will be protected.  Transition Houses are good choices for a safe place to go.  Never leave without taking your kids.

•
If you can, call the police or ask someone to call them for you.
• If you are in immediate danger dial 911.. You have the right to report an assault to the police.

 
• If you can, call a support line:  This is the National Domestic Abuse Support Line :

1-800-799-SAFE (7233)
1-800-787-3224 (TTY)

See your doctor or go to a hospital
• You can choose to see a Doctor or go to the hospital regarding your injuries without making a police report.

 
• If you choose to file a police report, all injuries need to be reported and documented.
 
• You need to make sure your injuries, or those of your children, are not serious or life threatening.

 See a Lawyer

• You may need to get a restraining order.
 
• You may need to get an interim custody order.
 
• You need to know your rights.

 □ Legal documents:
               Marriage license, divorce or separation
                        Papers, custody agreements, court orders

□ Driver’s license or photo identification

□ Birth certificates:
     Yours and your children's

□ Passports: 
     Yours and your children's

□ Immigration papers:
      Yours and your children's

□ Social Security Cards
     Yours and your children's

□ Money, check book, credit cards

□ Bank book, bank statement

□ Lease, rental agreement, house deed

□ House keys, car keys, safety deposit box
     Key

□ Address book, phone numbers
      Include friends, family members and
     Others who may be able to offer you support

□   Medications, medical records:
     Yours and your children's  

*It is not your fault or you kids fault.                           

       The abuser is the one with the problem*

When I left my home with my daughter to escape an abusive husband , I didn't want to go to a shelter . I was afraid of what it would be like. I moved in with different friends instead. My friends were really kind and helpful , but it did put alot of pressure and stress on everybody.

I look back and think that I should have done it differently. A shelter would have had all the things my daughter and I needed at the time : counseling , help with what to do next , other women and kids who could relate., and a place to stay at least for a while (we lived with 5 different families. They were wonderful , but kind of passed us around from family to family -we all knew each other and everybody wanted to help.This gave everybody a chance to help , but left my daughter and I with an even more lost feeling.)

If you are afraid of going to a shelter , don't be. They have heard every story in the book .  

Here is an idea of what it will be like :

SHELTER TOUR

This page has state-by state domestic violence contacts and resources :

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE RESOURCES FOR EACH STATE

Do you have more questions about abuse ? Go to this site and look on the left side bar.

WINGS PROGRAM RESOURCES

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How to make decisions in the middle of a crisis.

Here is another good site that lists steps to making a decision. Sometimes when we are in a crisis situation , it is so hard to think about anything. This page  helps put some order in what we should do about those hard decisions that come with a crisis.

MAKING DECISIONS.

COPING WITH JOB LOSS

You are free to print the following information provided you have left the byline in tack (Copyright Pat Mistretta 2005, All rights reserved)

STEPS TO TAKE WHEN YOU HAVE BEEN LAID OFF

Unfortunately, in today's economic climate, layoffs are happening to many people.  Some might have seen it was coming, while others were caught off guard.  Either way, it can be a scary situation.  Here is some helpful information and things you should do when you have been laid off:

1.         Get a letter of recommendation from your employer.  Obviously, you have been laid off through no fault of your own.  It would be a great asset for you to have your employer give you a letter of recommendation to give to a prospective employer.  It would also help if the employer states in the letter of recommendation that you were terminated due to a layoff.

2.         Ask your current employer if he has any business referrals or recommendations on other places to seek employment.  Perhaps he has a business colleague that can use your services.

3.         Find out what kind of severance package you will get, if any.  If you have insurance, you will be eligible for COBRA benefits.  Although COBRA benefits can be expensive, it will carry you through until you are once again employed and covered by your new employer.  If, by chance, you cannot afford your COBRA premiums, you should look into short-term insurance coverage.  Bear in mind that most short-term insurance policies will not cover pre-existing conditions.  Another viable option is to check into health insurance "plans."

4.         Apply for Unemployment Insurance and Benefits.  More than likely, you will qualify for unemployment benefits.  The eligibility requirements differ from state to state and it is important that you contact your local unemployment office right away.  This should be your first step, especially since it will take a few weeks for the processing and until you see your first check.  Some states will require you to go into their office to apply, while others will allow an application done on the phone.  Either way, if you have access to a computer, it is important that you go to the Department of Labor's website (http:www.//dol.gov) to get information pertaining to your state.  Or, you can contact them directly at:  1-877-US-2JOBS (TTY: 1-877-889-5627).

5.         The Department of Labor also has good career information which can be found at: http://www.careeronestop.org/.

6.         Another helpful site on unemployment is the AFL CIO.  They offer a handbook on unemployment, as well as resourceful articles.  More information can be found at their website:  http://www.aflcio.org/yourjobeconomy/help/.

7.         Update your resume.  It is extremely important you have an updated resume.  Make it clear, precise and professional.  There are many sites offering assistance on creating a resume.  Monster (http://www.monster.com) and Hot Jobs (http://www.hotjobs.com) offer free resumes that you can create, and post to their websites.  Higher versions of Microsoft Works also have resume programs available right in their software.

8.         Get an email address.  The majority of employers are accepting resumes through email.  This is much faster than sending your resume through the postal service.  You will need an email address in order to not only send resumes, but to receive replies.  There are numerous places online to get free email addresses.  The most common sites are:  Yahoo! and MSN Hotmail, although you can get a listing of other available websites for free email addresses at:  http://fepg.net.       

9.         Seek jobs online and through the classifieds.  Online job searches are the most popular and there are many websites dedicated to seeking employment.  The more popular, online employment websites are:  http://careerbuilders.com, http://hotjobs.com, http://monster.com, and http://jobs.net.  The classifieds in your home newspaper is also a good place to seek employment.  You can either look for employment in the newspaper or at the newspapers online website.  If you are seeking a job in another area, you can check out that areas employment site directly online.  To find a listing of all newspapers, check out this website:  http://usnpl.com.

10.        Register with professional employment agencies.  There are numerous, private agencies available for employment.  Some might require a small registration fee, while others are totally free.

11.        Cold calling.  Stop by other corporations and companies that are similar to the place you have been working at and drop off a resume.

12.        Make sure you have an answering machine or voice mail.  This will be particularly helpful when you are not home to make sure you do not miss out on any important calls relating to employment.

13.        Review your finances.  This is the time for you to know exactly what kind of financial situation you are in.  Make a list of all of your assets, as well as your monthly bills.  If you can, contact your mortgage company or landlord and alert them to your situation.  They might be willing to work something out with you until you find other employment.  It would also be wise to contact your credit card companies, as well as your insurance carrier and bank that has your