If you’re struggling financially and looking for a government hardship grant, the first thing to know is that there’s no such thing as a “government hardship grant” for individuals.
In fact, if you get some sort of invitation to apply for a grant of free money from the government, there’s a good chance it’s a scam.
But there are government benefits that can help you pay for food, housing and healthcare. Read on to learn about what kind of help you can apply for and how to guard against fraud.
There are financial resources for low income families, single mothers, the disabled, the unemployed and people in need. The free money grants from the government or charities listed below give funds to help pay for housing, rent, utilities, a new car, medical supplies or other transportation costs.
Are There Any Free Hardship Grants for Individuals Exits?
Private foundations, states, charities, and the federal government give away billions of dollars in free grants yearly. The application process varies based on source of funds and the organization.
Learn more below on where to apply for government money or personal hardship grants. Another good place to learn about them or to apply for a free grant is a local agency in your state or county. Find a listing of state as well as local assistance and grant programs.
Can I get a financial hardship grant from the government?
The federal government doesn’t give hardship grants to individuals. Instead, grants of this nature go to state and local governments, colleges and universities, law enforcement agencies, research labs, nonprofit organizations and businesses. These grants aim to fund programs that will benefit certain groups or an entire community.
Get Free Hardship Grants for Charities and Churches
The funds, whether from the federal government, corporations or non-profits, go to various agencies (including many charities) so that those organizations can then give the free grants to US citizens. A major focus is to ensure government grants go to households who are facing a hardship, such as the unemployed, veterans, or the low-income with an unexpected crisis.
There are non-profit organizations and charities that can help the low income facing a hardship or others with paying bills. The particular grant programs can help pay for energy costs, business start up costs, car repairs, and other expenses.
4 ways the government could help you through financial hardship
Even though the government doesn’t give individual hardship grants, you might qualify for other government benefits if you’re struggling to make ends meet.
Government benefit programs are available to help people with a lower income pay for food, housing, healthcare and other financial needs.
Let’s look at some government programs that may provide financial help.
Housing
The federal government offers several emergency housing assistance to help low-income families, people with disabilities, and senior citizens put a roof over their heads. Here are a few.
- Public housing — These state-owned rental houses or apartments are intended for families living on a lower income, senior citizens and people with disabilities. To find out if you’re eligible for public housing, contact your local public housing agency, or PHA.
- Housing Choice Voucher Program — Formerly known as Section 8, this program is administered by the Department of Housing and Urban Development, or HUD. It can help people living on a lower income pay for rental housing. To find out if you’re eligible for a housing voucher, or to apply, contact your local public housing agency, or PHA.
- Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, or LIHEAP — This program offers low-cost home improvements to help people who are living on a limited income lower their energy bills. It also helps them pay for heating and air conditioning bills. To learn more, visit the benefits.gov LIHEAP page.
Food
If you’re struggling to put food on the table, the government offers several food assistance programs that may help. Here are a few.
- The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP — Better known as food stamps, the SNAP program might help you pay for groceries. Eligible applicants can receive a benefit card they can use at certain grocery stores and farmers markets. To find out if you’re eligible, visit the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s SNAP eligibility page.
- National School Lunch Program — This program provides nutritional, discounted or free lunches to school children. To learn more, visit the USDA’s National School Lunch Program page.
- WIC Program — This short-term program helps mothers and their young children get access to healthy food. It also offers nutrition counseling and can refer women to health, welfare and social services programs. Visit the USDA’s WIC eligibility requirements page to see if you might qualify.
- Commodity Supplemental Food Program — This program helps senior citizens by providing a package of healthy food each month. Learn more on USDA’s Commodity Supplemental Food Program page.
Financial assistance
There are a couple of types of cash assistance from the federal government that are available to people in need.
- Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, or TANF — Better known as welfare, this program provides cash, child care and job training to low-income families for a limited period of time. To enroll in temporary benefits, apply at your local county or social services agency or call your state TANF office.
- Supplemental Security Income, or SSI — If you’re a senior citizen or a person with a disability, this government benefit program might provide you with cash. To find out if you’re eligible, visit the Social Security Administration’s SSI eligibility requirements page.
Medical
The federal government also offers healthcare benefits for people with a lower income.
- Medicaid — Medicaid provides free and discounted health benefits to low-income people and families.
- Children’s Health Insurance Program, or CHIP — Children who come from low-income families that make too much to qualify for Medicaid may qualify for the Children’s Health Insurance Program, or CHIP. (Eligibility requirements vary by state but usually depend on income). To apply, find a CHIP program by state.
Grants for Pay Bills and Debts
Single parents, in particular mothers, will get financial help too. The money will help the mom (or dad) keep their family unit intact. Or find grants to help single moms with bills.
Grants, including rehousing, is for the homeless. There are multiple resources such as ESG grant money from the government, Homeless Prevention – Rehousing, Continuum of Care and other programs. Many national non-profits also offer hardship grants too for shelter, moving costs as well as other grants for homeless people.
Grants for Free Gasoline or a Car
Several charities or government organizations can provide low income families, the elderly, or disabled with free gas to address a hardship. The vouchers or grant money is generally for work, education, or job training needs. Other organizations provide low income consumers with free cars, matching grants, or low interest loans for automobiles. Find a listing of free gasoline vouchers and cards.
Free automobiles, or small dollar personal grants to help pay for a car or truck, may also be offered. This form of support will be for applicants who need transportation for work. Community action agencies may provide this free grant money and some non-profits may also offer support. Find a free car from grant programs.
Free Grants to Pay rent, mortgage and Housing Expenses
Some of the charities will offer assistance with paying rent while others will address additional costs, such as storage fees or a lease application. This may include a grant to pay for household items, counseling, and anything the family needs. Find some resources that show families how to locate emergency housing for seniors and low income.
Low-income homeowners can get hardship money to fix their home. In general, the grants will be for repairs that make the home safe to live in or that encourage aging in place. Read details on Home Repair and Improvements.
While the scope of the hardship program is limited and not all communities participate, when it is available free grant money can be used to pay for a variety of basic needs. This can include a rent or mortgage payment, security deposits, moving costs, or even food supplies. Read more Emergency Food and Shelter grant program.
Grants to Pay for Personal or Household Stuff
Many charities provide free vouchers, or grant money, to pay for basic needs. There may be funds to help unemployed or low-income parents get clothes, educational or school supplies, computers and other items. In general, the free grant money needs to be spent achieving a goal of long term economic stability. Examples of free, individual personal grants include the following.
Clothes are offered. Grants, vouchers, gift cards and other support will help adults and kids get clothes they need for work or school, including uniforms. Locate free school supplies or clothing.
Grant money for a desktop, laptop, or Chromebook is often provided for similar reasons. Students from K-12 (or in college or technical school) can get corporate grants and many foundations or job centers help older adults too. Locate free computers – laptops and desktops.
In addition to those, many charities help kids enjoy the holidays. These programs are also a form of hardship grant for people living in poverty, and locate Free Christmas Money and Gifts.
Grants for Disabled for Personal Use
Grant based assistance provided can include Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), grants for medical care, and free money to help solve a hardship. There is also veterans compensation, SSI or Supplemental Security Income, and other government resources. More on disability financial assistance programs. Learn more about different veteran assistance programs that help those in need.
FAQs about Emergency Hardship Grants
What is considered an emergency hardship?
People in financial need who have faced financial hardship for reasons beyond their control are treated as emergency financial hardship. The beneficiaries are people who are in distress.
What is a hardship grant?
When you are suffering from financial hardships and debts and can’t able to pay your bills, in that situation government or other agencies offers financial assistance and grants that can help to pay off or reduce your debts and hardships. It’s called a hardship grant.
Who qualifies for a hardship payment?
You must be 18 years of age or older (16 if your payment is reduced due to fraud). You must be struggling to meet your basic needs or the basic needs of a child or youth for whom you are responsible.
What is a personal hardship grant?
As you all know grants and financial aid that helps to reduce or clear your debts and hardships is called hardship grants. So personal hardship grants will help to pay off your debts and mortgage.
Are there any grants for disabled people to get out of hardship?
Truly there are some grants for disabled individuals to pay off their debts. But the availability of these grants is completely based on location and types of disability. Look for the government agencies that deal with disability, they will support you with your personal needs.
Bottom line
The federal government doesn’t provide grant money directly to individuals for personal use.
But if you’re struggling to make ends meet, you might qualify for federal government benefit programs that can help you put food on the table, cover your living expenses, and pay for healthcare. You should also check with your state to see what benefit programs are available.
I was fired from work 09/10/2023 and have been struggling with unemployment while I had my SNAP taken away due to error on their negligence. I have been to eviction court and through my old employer trying to appeal my unemployment. I am in desperate need of assistance. I just want to be comfortable in my home so I can try and find work.