Hardship Grants for Individuals: Where to Find Financial Help When You Need It Most
Life is unpredictable, and financial struggles can hit when you least expect them. Sometimes, it’s an abrupt job loss, crushing medical bills, or surprise emergencies. Many people need financial support to get back on their feet. Hardship grants are here to give you that support.
Unlike loans, hardship grants offer financial help you don’t have to pay back. They are there to help people meet unplanned expenses, covering:
- Rent and housing costs (which covers mortgage assistance/emergency shelter aid)
- Medical costs (surgery, treatment, prescription medicines)
- Utility bills (electricity, heating, water)
- Food and essentials (for individuals and families who experience food insecurity)
- Emergency relief related to a disaster (home repairs, relocation assistance, immediate subsistence, etc.)
Besides hardship grants, there are other helpful options, such as community relief programs. Crowdfunding campaigns like GoFundMe are also ready to help out in a pinch.
Can you get a direct hardship grant (free money) from the federal government?
No. The federal government doesn’t have hardship grants that go directly from them to you. Instead, they offer assistance programs like SNAP for food, Medicaid for healthcare, and Section 8 for housing assistance. Of course, there’s also Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), which gives cash aid, food support, and housing assistance. Unemployment benefits are super helpful for cash flow after losing your job.
Who provides direct hardship grants if not the federal government?
Many private organizations and nonprofits offer grants to help people facing tough financial situations:
- United Way: Offers cash assistance for food, utility bills, and housing assistance.
- Catholic Charities & Jewish Federation of North America: Helps with rent, medical bills, and essential needs.
- Habitat for Humanity: Assists with housing support and home repairs.
- Modest Needs Foundation: Gives grants to people facing sudden financial emergencies.
- Operation Homefront: Local chapter supports the financial needs of military families experiencing economic hardship.
What if there’s a natural disaster?
If you’re facing hardship after a disaster, these groups can help quickly:
- FEMA: Provides housing, medical, and financial help.
- American Red Cross: Helps people find shelter and basic needs after disasters.
- Local Nonprofits: Community groups often provide extra support and financial aid.
What if you’re a student or veteran?
Certain groups are also eligible for specialized hardship grants. For instance, veterans and their families can apply for help from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and receive medical care, housing assistance, and even help with living costs. Service members also have other options. The Army Emergency Relief & Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society gives grants for active-duty and retired military personnel.
Help for students is out there, too. Low-income college students might qualify for Pell Grants, and TEACH Grants assist aspiring teachers with school costs. Iraq & Afghanistan Service Grants are for students whose parents lost their lives in military service.
What if you’re retired?
A few programs exist to assist you if you’re over 65.
- Social Security & SSI: Programs to help retirees and people with disabilities.
- Medicare & Medicaid: Health coverage for low-earning seniors.
How do you apply?
Government and nonprofit grant programs have specific eligibility criteria and application processes.
Step 1: Research Available Grants
- Search for federal grants through Grants.gov, USA.gov, and Benefits.gov for official grant and assistance information.
- Research nonprofit organizations, local government, and community programs that might have funding.
- If you require financing for an underperforming business, look for small business grants.
Step 2: Get Your Papers Ready
- Most grants rely on proof of financial instability.
- Documents could be income verification letters, medical bills, an eviction notice, or a utility shut-off notice.
Step 3: Complete the Application
- Fill out the grant application accurately and provide all required documents.
- Check eligibility requirements carefully before applying.
- Pay attention to deadlines.
Step 4: Check In Often
- Some grants take weeks to process, while emergency assistance may be quicker.
- Contact the organization if you don’t hear back within a reasonable timeframe.
Need to apply? Visit Grants.gov, Benefits.gov, or individual organizations’ websites, such as United Way or Habitat for Humanity.
Stay Alert: Avoid Grant Scams
The bad news is that many scammer groups claim to offer hardship grants. Don’t fall for it. What to look out for:
- Requesting payment in advance or asking for bank details.
- Promising guaranteed funds but with no obvious eligibility rules.
- Websites that say they are part of the government but are not official.
Stay safe by always verifying through official sites like Grants.gov or USA.gov. Remember, applying for real government assistance should not cost money.
Other Ways to Get Financial Assistance
If you don’t qualify for a hardship grant, here are some other ways to get support:
Hardship Loans
- Personal Loans: You can borrow for emergencies, but have to repay.
- Bad Credit Loans: Specifically for people with bad credit but with very high interest rates.
- Government-Backed Loans: Lower interest rates and more flexible terms.
Community Resources
Local nonprofits, churches, and community centers have always been great resources for those in need. They can provide food, housing, and utilities and are good options for quick assistance.
- Check your local food banks or shelters for immediate help.
- Look for programs offered by utility companies that might help low-income families with utility bills if they are struggling.
Try Crowdfunding for Quick Relief
Crowdfunding is a modern and flexible way to raise money quickly.
- GoFundMe lest you create campaigns to raise money that friends, family members, and community members can contribute to.
- After you create your GoFundMe, you may also be eligible for a grant from the GoFundMe.org Essentials Fund.
Where to Turn When Facing Financial Difficulty
There’s almost nothing more stressful than being hit with financial hardship out of the blue. Thankfully, resources are available. These resources help people cover essential expenses such as rent, medical expenses, and utilities. Hardship grants exist to help those in need, but they are often limited in availability. While government programs, combined with federal grants, do the bulk of the heavy lifting, nonprofit organizations and crowdfunding campaigns are there to fill the void.