There are many African Americans who live in state of Alabama who struggle financially. They may not be able to find a decent paying job, have expenses that are too high, or experience other setbacks, such as illnesses and injuries. When this happens it is important to know where they can turn to for financial help. The good news is that there is financial help for African Americans in Alabama.
About Getting Financial Help
The programs that are in place that provide financial help for African Americans in Alabama aim to help people meet their basic needs. The funds they provide to people are not loans, so they never have to be paid back. The money and financial assistance is considered a charitable gift, given to people to help when they need it the most. There is no limit to number of places you can get financial help from, so reach out to all those you feel qualified for.
Be sure to check out the requirements for each program to see if you will qualify for the financial help. Most programs require that you have a low income and not a lot of assets. This means you can’t have a lot of money in the bank and apply for financial help at the same time. If you don’t have a lot of assets and need financial help you should apply for the programs listed below.
Financial Help Programs for African Americans in Alabama
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) – This program is federally funded and provides African Americans in Alabama with help purchasing food. The program used to be called food stamps, but was changed to SNAP. To qualify for SNAP, African Americans need to have a low income and be a legal citizen or legal non-citizen. Those who are approved will receive a debit card that can be used to purchase groceries each month. The amount that you receive each month is determined by how many people live in your household. You can apply for this program online or in person. To get more information, click here.
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) – This federally funded program provides African American families in Alabama with financial help. Those who are approved for the program will receive cash each month. The cash can then be used to pay for living expenses, including for rent, food, transportation, medical care, bills, etc. To qualify for this program, you have to have at least one minor in the home that you are caring for. If approved, the amount you receive each month is determined by how many dependents you have. There is a five year limit on how long you can receive financial help from this program. You can apply online or in person. To get more information about TANF in Alabama, click here.
Housing and Urban Development (HUD) – This is a government agency that provides financial help for African Americans in Alabama by helping with housing issues. HUD has several programs in place to help people with their housing needs. They can help you find affordable housing, help you avoid foreclosure or eviction, and help you with making repairs on such things as your heating and cooling system. They can also provide you with government owned housing, where you can live rent free. They also provide weatherization services, which can help to lower your monthly utility bills. To get more information about HUD programs in Alabama or apply for them, click here.
Women, Infants and Children (WIC) – As the name of the program implies, this program is for women who have infants or children under the age of five. The program provides African American women in Alabama with free food so that her and her children’s nutritional needs are being met. Those who are approved receive free food each month. To apply for WIC you have to visit your local office. To get more information or find and WIC office near you in Alabama, click here.
Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) – This program will provide financial help for African Americans in Alabama by helping them to pay their utility bills. To qualify for assistance you have to have a low income and be the person responsible for paying the bill. If you are approved for the assistance they will give it directly to the utility provider on your behalf. You have to re-apply for this program yearly, so if you need the financial help the following year, be sure to re-apply. The funds are given out on a first come, first served basis, and when they run out of money that season they can’t help anyone else. You have to apply within your local region. To find your region and get more information, click here.
Catholic Charities of Alabama – This faith-based organization provides financial help for African Americans in Alabama. They are affiliated with the Roman Catholic Church, but you do not have to be religious to receive help from them. They have locations throughout Alabama and provide different helpful programs at each one. Some of the programs they provide include giving out free food, shelter, bill payment assistance, clothing, counseling, and more. They do not usually have strict requirements regarding getting financial help. Their services are available to everyone who needs the assistance. To find a location near you, click here.
Salvation Army – This is another faith-based organization that has locations around the state of Alabama. The organization provides help to those in need and they make it fairly easy to receive it. Each location provides different programs. Some of the programs they offer include free food, clothing, shelter, housing assistance, bill payment assistance, counseling, immigration and legal services, and more. They also run shelters and provide people with free hot meals. They have numerous locations of thrift stores, which makes it easier for them to provide people with free clothing, household goods, and more. To find a location near you, click here.
In addition to these resources, reach out to your local churches to see if they have programs that will provide financial help for African Americans in Alabama.