Getting help with bills

People who are drowning in debt sometimes need help with bill. Utilities, rent and other major expenses come due whether you have a job or not. Being in a bad financial position can happen for lots of reasons. Every email I get confirms that bad debts can happen to good people. Illness, the economy, fire, natural disaster or an accident can each put a family in jeopardy.

When you are in a crisis, it can be tough to find help. Almost every community has places that can help with some bills. The key to getting the help is to know where to start looking.

I am writing this article from the perspective of a nonprofit director who has helped people who were in crisis. Every community has a slightly different system and every agency requires different qualifications. This article is a general starting point for people who need help with bills.

If you are looking for help with bills, there are a couple of things to know.

Forget about asking for help with credit card payments or other types of revolving credit. Organizations that offer bill assistance will only help with emergency funding for necessities as funds are available. That credit card bill may be high on your list but it won't make the cut for their list.

Workers usually want to help but funds may not be available.

You may need to have proof of income, rent receipts and identification for every person living in the household and identification for yourself. The paperwork varies so calling an agency ahead of time can save you time and frustration. 

Utility assistance
Call your utility company to see what they will do. They may have programs that can help with bills. If not, the workers can usually suggest places that are in your community where you can look.

United Way
This organization does not typically provide assistance. However; they can be a good referral source and can often direct you to the right agency.

Help agencies
General help agencies in your community may be able to help with bills. A pantry may be able to provide you with a box of food. Obviously, this won't directly help with rent or utilities. What a food box can do is free up funds that can be used in other areas.

Churches
If you go to church, then start there. Talk with your pastor about your situation and see if your church can help. At the very least, your pastor can support you through the process and may be able to make referrals or fax agencies that can help.

Toys
Getting help with the bills at Christmas can mean that you need toys. There are people who can help. Your child's guidance counselor, pastor, day care or agency may be able to get you on an Angel Tree list. Be reasonable with your expectations. Families who are adopted from these trees are typically adopted by a small group of people like you and me. Leave the iPads, iPods and Xbox off of your child's Christmas list.

Think outside the box
Agencies run out of money too. Don't wait until you are in crisis to start getting help with bills. Being proactive can help you make a few dollars here and there. Taking cookies to work and asking for donations, eBay, holding a yard sale, collecting aluminum cans, raking leaves or shoveling snow off of driveways can help. It may not solve all of your problems but it may help buy some time.

Modest Needs
This organization may be able to help with small grants. They are not an emergency funding source and they do ask for documentation. If you are getting help with bills from any source, you almost always have to provide information.