Easy Ways to Do When Your Family Is Facing Financial Hardship
About 1 in 7 U.S. households experienced food insecurity in 2024, showing that millions of families struggle to afford basic necessities like food.
When a family cannot pay for food, rent, or utility bills, the next step is not to wait and hope things improve.
The family should cut nonessential spending, contact bill providers immediately, and apply for emergency assistance right away.
The goal is to protect the basics first: food on the table, a roof overhead, and the lights staying on.
The problem
Financial hardship means the household does not have enough money to cover basic needs.
This can happen after a job loss, reduced work hours, illness, divorce, or a sudden bill. When that happens, families often fall behind on rent, skip meals, or risk utility shutoff.
Read: Summer Help Programs Families Often Forget to Apply For
What families should do first
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Pay for food, rent, and utilities before anything else.
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Stop all nonessential spending immediately.
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Call the landlord, electric company, gas company, or phone provider before the bill becomes seriously overdue.
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Ask for a payment plan, extension, or hardship option.
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Apply for government and local emergency aid the same day, not later.
Which help to apply for
| Help to apply for | Basic eligibility |
|---|---|
| SNAP | Usually for low-income households that meet income and resource rules; applicants must also meet work and residency rules in their state |
| TANF | Usually for low-income families with children; eligibility is based on income, household size, and state rules for work and family status |
| LIHEAP | Usually for low-income households needing help with heating or cooling bills; eligibility is based on income, household size, and state rules, and renters and homeowners may both qualify |
| Rental assistance | Usually for households with low income, rent burden, or housing hardship; rules vary by state or local housing office, and some programs prioritize eviction risk or homelessness |
| Local food banks and emergency aid groups | Usually based on immediate need rather than strict income rules; many groups help families facing food shortages or short-term crises |
| USAGov benefits finder | No eligibility requirement to use it; it is a screening tool that helps families see which benefits they may qualify for |
What not to do
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Do not ignore overdue notices.
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Do not wait until eviction or shutoff notices arrive.
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Do not take on new debt unless it is the only way to keep the family safe.
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Do not assume the family will not qualify for help.
A clear rule to follow
If the family cannot pay for the basics this month, they should treat it as an emergency and apply for help immediately. The earlier they act, the more likely they are to get support before the situation gets worse.
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