Low-Income Resources by State
Find state-specific help with food, housing, utilities, healthcare, child care, income support, employment, legal concerns, crisis services, and other essential needs. Choose where you live for direct application routes and local contacts, or begin with the national starting points below.
Money Fit serves consumers nationwide. Money Fit is licensed and registered to provide nonprofit credit counseling in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Counseling is available by phone and online. Review licensing information.
Where to start
The best first step depends on whether the need is local and urgent, tied to a government benefit, or connected to a specific state application. Eligibility, funding, waiting lists, and application methods vary by program and location.
Local help today
Call 211 or search by location for nearby food, housing, utility, transportation, health, and community services.
Find your local 211Possible government benefits
Answer basic questions through USAGov to identify federal or state benefits that may fit your circumstances.
Use the USAGov benefit finderDirect state applications
Choose your state or Washington, D.C., for benefit portals, agency contacts, local programs, and current application routes.
Choose your locationChoose your state or Washington, D.C.
State agencies handle many food, healthcare, child care, cash assistance, housing, and energy programs differently. Select your state or Washington, D.C., to find benefit portals, agency contacts, local programs, and current application routes.
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- District of Columbia
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
National starting points
These services can help identify benefits, local programs, application offices, and crisis support across the United States. State and local agencies make the final eligibility and funding decisions.
If someone is in immediate danger or cannot stay safe, call 911. For a mental health, suicide, emotional distress, or substance use crisis, call or text 988.
Find programs that fit the immediate need
USAGov can identify possible government benefits. The 211 network can connect callers with nearby community services and local agencies.
State food and child care contacts
SNAP and child care assistance are administered through state or local agencies. These federal directories lead to the appropriate state contacts and applications.
Rent, housing, and utility assistance
Housing and energy programs often depend on a local agency, public housing authority, utility, or community action organization.
Medicaid, CHIP, and community health centers
Medicaid and CHIP rules vary by state. Federally funded health centers can also provide a local starting point for primary care and related services.
Practical support for employment and household stability
American Job Centers offer employment and training help. Lifeline may reduce qualifying phone or internet costs. Legal aid organizations can assist with some civil legal matters.
Confidential support and urgent referrals
National crisis services can provide confidential support, safety planning, counseling, and referrals. They do not replace 911 during an immediate life-threatening emergency.
Review the household budget and unsecured debt together
Public assistance may help with food, housing, healthcare, child care, or utilities while credit cards, medical bills, collections, personal loans, or payday loans continue taking money from the rest of the budget. Money Fit nonprofit credit counseling can help review income, expenses, debts, and possible next steps.
A debt management plan may be discussed when it fits the budget and eligible unsecured debts. It is not a new loan or debt settlement, and creditor participation and concessions can vary.
Money Fit does not provide cash assistance, food benefits, rent assistance, utility benefits, government benefits, or emergency grants. The counseling form below is for help reviewing debt and monthly payments.
Open the Money Fit debt review form
Share a few details so Money Fit can respond to your request. Your information stays with Money Fit and is not sent to a marketplace of lenders or debt companies.
