Not having enough money to pay all of your bills can be a stressful situation. Not only do you fear that you may lose whatever the bill is for, such as electricity, but you may also end up homeless. Rather than endure the stress from financially struggling, there are programs you can turn to for assistance. There are numerous programs that offer money assistance for paying bills in Minnesota.
There are many people who live in Minnesota who struggle financially, for whatever reason. When these times hit, it is important to know where to get help, so that you can ensure your basic needs are being met. Knowing where to find money assistance programs can make a world of difference. The federal and state government, along with some organizations, provides programs that will help people during their difficult financial periods.
Money Assistance Programs for Paying Bills
The programs below are open to anyone who needs help paying the bills. To qualify, most programs will review how much money you make, because the programs are open to those who have a low income. They may also verify things like your identity and how much you have in assets. Some programs provide long term assistance, while others limit it to a certain number of months or years. You will not have to worry about paying the money back, because it is not considered a loan.
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) – This program used to be called food stamps, and that is what most people still call it today. It is a federally funded program that helps people with obtaining food. Those who are approved for the program will receive a card that they can use to pay for their groceries each month. To qualify, you have to meet the low income requirements, provide the social security number for every person in the home, and participate in their work program. The amount you receive each month is based on your income, expenses, and the number of people that are in your household. To get more information and apply, click here.
Housing and Urban Development (HUD) – Those who need help with paying for rent or to have housing repairs done may be able to get help through HUD. The agency is part of the federal government and they help people with paying rent, avoiding foreclosure, paying for necessary house repairs, and reducing their monthly energy bills by making the home more energy efficient. To qualify, you have to have a low income and be a citizen or legal non-citizen. To get more information and apply for HUD programs in Minnesota, click here.
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) – This program is provided by the federal government and provides those who qualify with a monthly cash benefit. To qualify, you have to have at least one dependent child in your home, and show that you have a low income. You also have to be a legal resident of the state. TANF does also provide refugee assistance. Families who meet the qualifications and are approved will be able to get money assistance each month that can be used to pay for living expenses and bills. To get more information and apply for the program, click here.
Minnesota Assistance (MA) – This is the state’s Medicaid program. The program is funded by the federal government and will help people pay for their health care bills if they qualify. The program is open to anyone with a low income who needs the assistance. To qualify, you have to be a legal resident of the state, provide a Social Security number for each person who wants health care coverage, meet the income and asset limits, and meet any other program rules they have. The program will pay for the bills that are from seeing the doctor, staying in the hospital, and obtaining prescription drugs. To get more information and apply, click here.
Energy Assistance Program – If you are struggling to pay for your energy bill, or you have had it disconnected, then you may qualify for Minnesota’s Energy Assistance Program. The program will pay for energy bills for those who qualify. They will give money assistance of up to $500 for paying energy bills, plus additional money that may be needed for emergency situations. You have to meet the low income requirements and be a legal resident of the state to qualify for help. You can apply online each year up through May 31. To get more information and apply, click here.
211 – This is a number you can call to get local referrals to programs in your area that may be able to help with providing money assistance. The program is provided by the organization called United Way. You call and let them know where you live and what type of help you need and they will use their database to find programs in your area that can help. They have information about programs that may not be found online. The program is free to use and open to anyone in the state. To get more information about it, click here.
Catholic Charities – This is a faith-based organization that has locations around the country, including in Minnesota. The charity will provide people with free food, clothing, and other assistance programs. They may also help with some money assistance for paying small bills. Find a location near you to contact them and see what services they offer at that location. To get more information and find a location near you, click here.
Salvation Army – This is an organization that is similar to Catholic Charities. They have many locations and will provide helpful programs for those in the community who need assistance. They offer people free hot meals, free bags of food to take home, free clothing, shelters, and more. Some locations may be able to assist you with money assistance for paying bills. To get more information and find a location near you, click here.
