Mississippi is consistently ranked as one of the poorest states in the country. Due to this, many people who live there struggle financially. Not having good jobs available leads many people to struggle to pay their bills. For those who struggle and need help, there are programs that offer money assistance for paying bills in Mississippi. Having access to apply for the programs can help ensure that basic needs continue to be met.
Meeting one’s basic needs is crucial, so that people do not become homeless, go hungry, not have heat, or otherwise struggle. The money assistance programs that are in place have been designed to help people who are struggling and have a low income. Those who meet the low income requirements can apply for the programs to see if they can get the help they need to get the bills paid each month.
Money Assistance Programs for Paying Bills
One of the great things about the money assistance programs below is that you don’t have to worry about having to pay it back. The money or assistance you receive is considered a gift, rather than a loan. Be sure to apply for all the programs you feel qualified for, because there is no limit to how many you can receive money from at one time. Applying for multiple programs will help ensure your basic needs get met.
In addition to these programs, your local churches are good resources to reach out to. There are many churches around the country, and they serve the people in the community, helping in a variety of ways. Contact them to see if they can help with money assistance to pay bills or in other ways.
Housing and Urban Development (HUD) – With housing usually being the most expensive thing people pay for on a monthly basis, HUD is the agency to know. HUD is a federal agency that provides housing assistance around the country. Those who have a low income and are legal residents of the state can contact HUD to get help with paying for rent, repairs that need to be made, and weatherization services to reduce monthly energy bills. They also help have programs to help homebuyers who have fallen on hard times. To get more information and apply for assistance, click here.
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) – Those who are struggling to pay bills may need assistance paying for food as well. If you have a low income and are a legal resident of the state, getting money assistance to pay for food may as simple as applying for SNAP. This program, known by many as food stamps, will provide those who qualify with the funds to purchase food each month. The program goes off of your income level to determine your eligibility and how much you would receive each month. There is no limit to how long you can get assistance through the program. To get more information and apply, click here.
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) – If you have at least one child under the age of 18 who lives at home, and you have a low income, you may qualify for TANF. This program will provide money assistance for paying bills in Mississippi. It is a federally funded program that provides the cash assistance to help those who qualify with paying for their living expenses. In addition to having a child, and meeting the low income requirements, you also have to have no more than $2,000 in resources. There is a limit of 60 months on how long you can receive the benefit from this program. To get more information and apply for TANF, click here.
Child Care Payment Program – This program helps people cover the costs for child care in the state of Mississippi. The program serves people who have a low income, are single-parent households, households with a parent deployed in the military, those carrying for foster children, and more. The program pays for a portion of the program and then you would be responsible for the balance. To obtain more information, click here.
Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) – With the rising costs of energy bills, many people need money assistance for paying the bill. This program focuses on helping people pay for their energy bills. To qualify for the money assistance, you have to have a low income, have an energy bill that is due, and be a citizen or legal non-citizen. The funding for the program is limited, so be sure to apply as soon as the program opens. They also help with energy crisis situations and reducing monthly energy bills through free weatherization services. To get more information and apply for help, click here.
211 – This is a program that is provided by the United Way. Anyone who needs money assistance can call the number and tell them where they live and what type of assistance they need. They will comb their database to look for programs in your local area that may be able to help. They have access to information about local programs that you may not know about or find online. Their referral service is free to use and open to anyone in need. To get more information about the program, click here.
Salvation Army – This organization is faith-based and provides people with various helpful programs. They provide shelters, free food, counseling, and other programs. There are some locations that will help people with paying small bills. You can contact the locations in your area to see if you can get help with paying bills. If they do not offer that service at that location then they may be able to provide you with referrals to other programs in your local area that can. To get more information and find a location near you, click here.
Catholic Charities – This organization helps people in the communities where they are located. You can contact the location near you to see if they help with providing money assistance for paying bills. To get more information and find locations in Mississippi, click here.
