Behind on bills? Start here.
Free programs that pay real bills, who to call first, and how to cover the gap until the help comes through. Pick what you're behind on.
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Do these first. They're free.
Start with the help that doesn't cost anything and doesn't have to be paid back.
Call or text 211
211 connects you with local help for rent, utilities, food and more in your area. It's free and confidential, and it's the fastest way to find programs near you.
Find your local 211 →Call your utility before the shutoff date
Ask for a payment plan or a hardship program. Most utilities have one, but you usually have to ask, and it's much easier to set up before service is cut off than after.
Government help with utility bills →LIHEAP: help with heating and cooling bills
The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program helps eligible households pay energy bills. It's run by states, so you apply where you live.
How to apply for LIHEAP →Rent help and what to do if you're behind
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau keeps a page on getting help with rent and bills, including how to find rental assistance and talk to your landlord.
Get help paying rent →Lifeline: a discount on phone or internet
Lifeline is a federal program that lowers the monthly cost of phone or internet service for qualifying households.
Check if you qualify →SNAP: groceries, so more cash goes to bills
SNAP helps eligible households buy food. Every dollar it covers at the store is a dollar you can put toward a bill.
Find your state's SNAP office →Ask the hospital for financial assistance
Nonprofit hospitals are required to have a financial assistance policy. Ask the billing office for it before you pay, and ask for an itemized bill too.
Find every benefit you might qualify for
The government's benefit finder asks a few questions and lists programs you may be eligible for, from housing to health care.
Use the benefit finder →
Get help with the next bill, free
MoneyAnswers Daily: one short email each morning.
- Cash before payday, the cheap way
- Ways to cut the bills you already pay
- Getting out of debt, one step at a time
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Need cash before the help comes through?
Programs can take a while. If a bill is due before then, these cost far less than a payday loan.
Current: up to $1,000 before payday
Current is a banking app with Paycheck Advance: up to $1,000 before payday depending on eligibility, and no credit check to qualify. You can get paid up to two days early. New users get a $75 bonus with code WELCOME75 after $1,500 in eligible direct deposits within the first 35 days.
See if you qualify for Current
EarnIn: get paid for hours you already worked
If you have a regular paycheck, EarnIn lets you access pay you've already earned, up to $200 a day and up to $1,000 per pay period.¹ Standard transfers are free, and faster ones cost a fee.²
Try EarnInBehind on credit card bills?
If minimum payments are what's eating your paycheck, a debt relief company can negotiate with your creditors to settle for less than you owe. Know the costs first: your credit takes a hit while accounts are settled, the company charges a fee once it settles a debt, and forgiven debt can count as income for taxes.
See your debt relief options
We'll send you to a company that takes clients in your state. Ask about every cost before you sign.
Check my debt relief optionsQuick answers
Where do I go first if I can't pay a bill this month?
Call the company you owe before the due date and ask for a payment plan or hardship program, then call or text 211 to find local help. Both are free.
Is there free money to help pay bills?
Yes. Programs like LIHEAP (energy bills), Lifeline (phone and internet) and local rental assistance help eligible households, and 211 can point you to more in your area. None of them have to be paid back.
What's the cheapest way to cover a bill until payday?
A paycheck advance from an app like Current or EarnIn usually costs far less than a payday or title loan. Use one only for a short gap, not every month.
Can I get help with medical bills?
Ask the hospital's billing office for its financial assistance policy and an itemized bill before you pay. Nonprofit hospitals are required to have one.
One straight money answer a day
Free, two minutes a morning: getting cash, cutting bills and getting out of debt.
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¹ EarnIn is not a bank. Access limits are based on your earnings and risk factors. Available in select states. Terms and restrictions apply. Visit Earnin.com for full details.
² Expedited transfers available for a fee. Visit Earnin.com for full details.
Current is a financial technology company, not a bank. Paycheck Advance eligibility applies.
MoneyAnswers may receive compensation when you sign up through partner links. Program details are set by each program and can change. General information, not personal financial advice.