Financial Aid to Help Pay Bills

by Kyle Martin

Overview

Unemployment and other hardships can make it hard to meet even the most basic financial demands, including basic bills. Or, it could be large medical bills or credit card debt that is creating the financial burden. Regardless, there are solutions and help available to pay those bills and ease some of the worry.
Help With Utilities

Talk with the utilities provider to find out if the company offers any financial assistance programs. These could include payment plans or a fixed amount charged each month. In the latter case, a homeowner will have a fixed fee to budget for each month and avoid the worry of spikes in energy costs during the summer and winter. The federal government also offers a grant that can offset heating and cooling bills or help weather-proof a home for better insulation. This is called the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program Block Grant. Heating oil is distributed for free or at discounted prices through the Citizens Energy Oil Heat Program. Help improving the energy efficiency of a house is offered through the Weatherization Assistance Program, which includes minor home repairs and attic insulation. Eligible households qualify for help paying utility bills through the Home Energy Assistance Program. The Salvation Army Family Emergency Services will also help out a family struggling to make ends meet. American Water has subsidiaries across the country and offers two plans to help homes with their water bills.

Tackling Medical Bills

There are several ways to reduce medical bills and find assistance with paying them. Check with the hospital to see if it offers free care or discounts for patients. The typical charity program erases the entire bill for people with incomes 200 percent or less than the federal poverty limits; discounts may be available for patients with incomes up to 400 percent of the federal poverty level. Barring that, obtain an itemized copy of the bill and check for errors and discrepancies. Try negotiating with the hospital to see if they will charge the same prices as a Medicare or Medicaid patient, or at least a lower settlement. Make sure the agreement is in writing.
Mortgage Payments

Many banks offer mortgage assistance to their customers, including mortgage forbearances and loan restructuring. Some other companies that offer resources, counseling and guidance to homeowners are the Cherokee Nation, Neighborworks America, Neighborhood Assistance Corporation of America and the Save the Dream Tour. Union Plus offers mortgage assistance to union and organized labor members.

Overview