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. According to the Pew Research Center, the majority of Americans said they were in fair (40%) or poor (17%) shape financially in 2025. If that’s the case, even the slightest unexpected hiccup can pull someone under financially.

Sometimes, it’s an abrupt job loss, crushing medical bill, 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 any of the following:

• Rent and housing costs (including 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 available, such as community relief programs. Crowdfunding platforms like GoFundMe are also ready to help out in a pinch.

Start a GoFundMe Fundraiser

What qualifies as financial hardship?

A person who’s in financial hardship is temporarily unable to meet their financial obligations – such as paying rent or other bills – due to unexpected life events. This can have a significant impact, making it difficult or even impossible to afford essentials in the current moment. 

People can find themselves in financial hardship due to any of the following reasons: 

• Losing your job or having your hours reduced
• Getting divorced or separated
• Unexpected health issues or injuries resulting in being unable to work and/or significant medical bills
• Natural disasters
• Significant debt pileup

Types of hardship grants

There are several types of hardship grants that individuals in need can turn to: 

• Direct hardship grants from the federal government 
• Personal hardship grants from nonprofits and private organizations
• Hardship relief programs created after emergencies 
• Relief for specific groups, such as hardship grants for women, single moms, or victims of natural disasters

Can you get a direct hardship grant (free money) from the federal government?

If you’re wondering how to get free money from the government, the answer is… you can’t. The federal government doesn’t have hardship grants that go directly from them to you. Instead, they offer assistance programs that focus on different areas of need.

• The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), for example, provides food benefits to low-income families. By adding to their grocery budgets, this program aims to make nutritious food affordable and accessible.
• Medicaid provides low-cost or even free healthcare to low-income Americans. It covers costs like nursing homes, pregnancy care, doctors’ visits, prescription medication, and more. 
• The Housing Choice Voucher Program (Section 8) offers assistance to low-income Americans looking for affordable housing in the private market. The participant chooses from any number of eligible housing options and gets part of their rent covered by a payment directly to the landlord.
• Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) gives cash aid, food support, and housing assistance specifically to families with children. They can also help with childcare and job support.
• Unemployment benefits are super helpful for cash flow after losing your job. These require you to have made a certain amount of money in the last year to two years, and currently be looking for a new job. 

Who provides direct hardship grants if not the federal government?

Hardship relief is also available from private organizations and nonprofits that offer grants to help people facing tough financial situations:

• United Way: Offers cash assistance for food, utility bills, and housing assistance. This organization works to strengthen communities by expanding educational opportunities for young people, providing access to healthcare and financial education to anyone who needs it. 
• Catholic Charities: Works to reduce poverty across the country by providing access to affordable housing, integrated healthcare, immigration services, disaster relief, and more. 
• Jewish Federation of North America: This foundation aims to build flourishing Jewish communities by providing assistance with rent, healthcare bills, and education. 
• Habitat for Humanity: Assists with housing support and home repairs. This volunteer- and donation-based organization not only builds homes for those in need, but also fosters a sense of community. 
• Modest Needs Foundation: Gives grants to workers who are facing sudden financial emergencies. They offer immediate, one-time help to those in need. 
• Operation Homefront: Local chapters support the financial needs of military families experiencing economic hardship. Through this work, they aim to build strong and resilient veteran families. 

There are also state-specific organizations you can reach out to, depending on where you live. In New York, Temporary Assistance provides assistance for adults and children who are unable to work or whose jobs don’t pay enough to cover basic costs. In California, BenefitsCal houses multiple programs like CalFresh, which provides food assistance, and Medi-Cal, offering help with healthcare. 

If you’re looking for something in your specific state, call 211 to learn more about resources in your area or visit 211.org. 

What if there’s a natural disaster?

If you’re facing hardship after a disaster, you may need immediate assistance or even help with moving costs. These groups can help quickly:

• FEMA: Provides housing, medical, and financial help and is especially focused on natural disaster emergencies. They can help you prepare for unexpected disasters as well as support you during and after.
• American Red Cross: Helps people find shelter and basic needs after disasters and other emergencies. Volunteers help victims of natural disasters and administer aid where needed.
• Farm Service Agency: Provides different types of relief to farmers, ranchers, and businesses that have been hit by natural disasters. This government agency can help with livestock relief, forest restoration, and more.
• Team Rubicon: Serves communities ravaged by wildfires, floods, disease, and even conflict. 
• Local nonprofits: Community groups often provide extra support and financial aid. To find out what organizations operate in your area, call 211 or visit 211.org. 

What if you’re a student or veteran?

Certain groups are also eligible for specialized hardship grants. For instance, former service members and their families can apply for hardship grants for veterans from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and receive medical care, housing assistance, and even help with living costs. The VA can also assist with education and job training, burials and memorials, and more. Service members also have other options. The Army Emergency Relief and the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society give grants for active-duty and retired military personnel so they can achieve financial stability or even attend school. 

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. The UNCF Emergency Student Aid organization offers grants of up to $1,000 to students at risk of dropping out due to financial hardship.

What if you’re retired?

A few programs exist to assist you if you’re over 65:

• Social Security & SSI: Helps retirees and people with disabilities by sending monthly benefit payments based on lifetime earnings. 
• Medicare & Medicaid: Health coverage for low-earning seniors. Medicare covers things like hospital stays and prescription medication for people 65 and up, while Medicaid covers most of the same things but also includes long-term care like nursing home stays.

There are also plenty of state-specific programs for retired people that can provide help. As a primary resource, you can search at the Elder Care Locator, a service of the Administration for Community Living (ACL) for older adults and their families, or contact 1-800-677-1116. 

What if you’re a single parent? 

Single-parent hardship grants are available and are particularly helpful for single mothers: 

• Justice Federal Credit Union Hardship Grants: Provides temporary financial assistance of up to $3,000 to parents with families dealing with circumstances outside their control, such as furloughs or government shutdowns.
• CORE Grants: Provides short-term relief to food and beverage employees with kids.
• United States Department of Agriculture (USDA): Helps single mothers through various programs, including the National School Lunch Program, the School Breakfast Program, and more. 

What if you’re disabled? 

Hardship grants for individuals with disabilities are also available: 

• SSI: Supplemental Security Income is available to those with disabilities or blindness that affects their ability to work. These benefits come in the form of monthly payments. 
• SSDI: Social Security Disability Insurance is available to those living with mental, emotional, or physical disabilities that limit their ability to work.
• Section 811: The Supportive Housing for Persons with Disabilities Program creates multifamily housing for low-income individuals with disabilities. 

How do you apply?

When it comes to how to apply for a hardship grant, government and nonprofit grant programs have specific eligibility criteria and application processes.

Step 1: Research available grants

• Search for federal financial hardship grants via 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 need financing for an underperforming business, look for small business grants.
• If you’re looking for local support but you’re not sure where to start, call 211 to get a list of resources in your area. 

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, a job termination letter, 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.
• If the grant requires a piece of writing, be sure it’s clear, concise, and tells a personal story. You may also want to mention your goals in the letter. 
• 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.

Other ways to get financial assistance

If you don’t qualify for relief grants for individuals, here are some other ways to get support:

Credit counseling services

If you have a lot of debt, you can take advantage of credit counseling services via organizations like the NFCC. They offer free or low-cost counseling for people in financial hardship on how to manage their debt, create budgets, and more. 

Negotiating with creditors

When in financial hardship, you can also try negotiating with creditors such as debt collectors. This will involve honestly and accurately explaining your situation. Before you approach the negotiation, you’ll need to create a detailed budget and a letter explaining your financial hardship circumstances. During the negotiation, propose a reasonable solution, such as reduced or paused payments or a lower interest rate. 

Hardship loans

• Personal Loans: You can borrow for emergencies, but you 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.

Now you may be wondering what the difference is between hardship grants and hardship loans. Let’s break it down: 

• Hardship Grants | Hardship Loans
• Repayment needed? No | Yes
• Interest None | Yes – amount depends on your specific loan
• Source Government or nonprofit organizations | Banks
• Eligibility Depends on the grant | Depends on the loan
• Impact on credit None | Depends on your loan and how it’s managed

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 bills if they are struggling.

Try crowdfunding for quick relief

Crowdfunding is a modern and flexible way to raise money quickly.

• GoFundMe lets you create fundraisers that friends, family, 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 fundraisers are there to fill the void.

Start a GoFundMe

FAQs

How can I avoid hardship payment scams? 

Unfortunately, grant scams are common. Always verify grants through official sites like Grants.gov or USA.gov, and remember that applying for grants never costs money. Other things 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.

Can I apply for hardship grants while receiving other types of aid? 

Yes, even if you are receiving other aid, such as unemployment benefits, you may still be eligible for hardship grants. Just make sure to check the eligibility criteria in detail before applying. 

What if my hardship is ongoing – can I reapply for grants? 

Most grants from charities or nonprofits will be one-time grants that you cannot reapply for. However, some federally funded grants may allow you to reapply.