When money is tight, everyday necessities such as food, housing, utilities, healthcare, and transportation can become difficult to afford. Community programs can connect individuals and families with local resources that may help reduce these costs.
Assistance can come from nonprofit organizations, community action agencies, food banks, charities, government programs, churches, and other local organizations. In the U.S., 211 connects people with local resources for essential needs including housing, food, transportation, and healthcare.
Who May Benefit From Community Assistance
Community programs may be available to people experiencing financial hardship, including:
- Low-income households
- Families with children
- Seniors
- People with disabilities
- Veterans
- People experiencing homelessness
- Individuals facing an unexpected financial problem
- People experiencing food or housing insecurity
- Households struggling with utility costs
Each organization has its own eligibility requirements. Some services are available based on income, while others may depend on location, household circumstances, or the type of need.
Check What You May Qualify For
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Available programs vary by eligibility, location, household circumstances, and available funding.
Types of Essential-Needs Assistance
Food Assistance
Food banks, food pantries, community meal programs, SNAP, and other programs can help households that are struggling to afford groceries. USA.gov lists SNAP, WIC, senior food programs, school meals, and emergency food assistance among available food resources. Local 211 agencies can also help identify nearby food resources.
Housing Assistance
Community organizations may help people facing rent problems, homelessness, or other housing challenges. Depending on your situation, assistance may include emergency shelter, rental assistance referrals, housing counseling, or connections to local housing programs. If you are facing an immediate housing crisis, 211 can connect you with local services and emergency housing resources.
Utility Assistance
Local programs may help households struggling with electricity, heating, cooling, water, or other utility costs. Utility companies may also offer payment arrangements or hardship programs. Some community organizations work with utilities to provide additional assistance to qualifying households.
Healthcare Assistance
Community organizations can sometimes connect people with low-cost healthcare, medical assistance, transportation to appointments, prescription resources, and other services. 211 maintains local information about healthcare resources and can help people identify available assistance.
Transportation Assistance
Transportation programs may help people get to work, medical appointments, school, or other essential destinations. Depending on the community, assistance may include reduced-cost transportation, rides, transportation vouchers, or nonprofit programs.
Child and Family Assistance
Families may find community programs offering food, childcare resources, clothing, school supplies, family services, and other support. Government benefits can also supplement community resources. For example, TANF can help qualifying families with expenses such as food, housing, home energy, and childcare.
Emergency and Crisis Assistance
Some community organizations provide short-term help when a household faces an urgent problem. This might include emergency food, temporary housing, utility assistance, or referrals to other organizations. The type and amount of assistance can vary significantly from one community to another.
How Community Assistance Programs Typically Work
- Identify your most important need. Determine whether you need help with food, housing, utilities, healthcare, transportation, or another essential expense.
- Check local resources. Search community organizations and government programs serving your area.
- Contact 211. In the U.S., 211 specialists can help identify local resources and services.
- Check government benefits. USA.gov's Benefit Finder covers categories including food, health, housing and utilities, disabilities, education, and cash assistance.
- Gather documents. Some programs require identification, proof of income, household information, or a current bill.
- Apply or request a referral and check more than one source, since one organization may not provide everything you need.