Real cash and one-time help for households in a crunch.

TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) provides monthly cash to very-low-income families with children. Amounts vary dramatically by state — a family of three might get $170/month in Mississippi and over $1,000/month in New Hampshire.

TANF comes with a 60-month lifetime limit on federal funds and usually requires participation in work, job search, or approved training activities. Some states have stricter limits and stricter work rules; some are more flexible.

Beyond cash, TANF dollars fund state-run childcare subsidies, work supports, and emergency assistance. When you apply, ask about every service the office administers — not just the monthly check.

LIHEAP has four benefit types. Heating assistance is a one-time seasonal payment to your utility. Cooling assistance works the same way in hot states. Crisis assistance covers shutoff notices and out-of-fuel emergencies year-round. Weatherization referrals connect you with WAP for permanent efficiency upgrades.

Applications open by state — most start in October or November. Funds are first-come, first-served and often run out mid-winter, so apply as soon as your state opens the season.

Modest Needs Foundation awards small self-sufficiency grants — typically $500–$1,000 — to working households hit with an unexpected expense that would otherwise put them behind on rent.

Salvation Army and St. Vincent de Paul run local emergency assistance funds at nearly every corps and parish. Amounts and rules are set locally; 2-1-1 is the fastest way to find your nearest office.

United Way 2-1-1 itself is a triage line that knows what emergency funds exist in your county right now, including one-time employer or utility funds you'd never find on Google.