The state of Florida has become one of the most expensive places to call home. In the past several years, the rent rates and home prices have skyrocketed, yet people are not making more money. This creates a situation where many people are left with financial troubles. They can’t pay their rent, purchase a home, or at times even get food each month. The good news is that there are resources you can turn to for financial help for African Americans in Florida.
The programs that provide financial help for African Americans in Florida are largely paid for by the federal government. There are others that made possibly through state funding, and still others that are non-profit organizations that help people in the community. No matter what program you prefer to reach out to, it’s important to know they exist, so you can get the help you need, when you need it.
Financial Help for African Americans in Florida
Apply for as many of the programs below that you feel you qualify for. There is no limit to the number of programs you can receive help from at one time, and you never have to pay the funds back. They are not giving out loans. Rather, the financial help they provide is considered a gift to help those in the community.
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) – This program is government funded and used to be called food stamps. The program will provide financial help for African Americans by providing them with free food each month. Those who are approved for the program will receive an electronically-loaded debit card that can be used each month to purchase groceries at the store. The qualifications for getting SNAP in Florida include having a low income, and are a legal citizen or legal non-citizen. The amount you receive is calculated by how many dependents you have in your home. To get more information or apply for SNAP in Florida, click here.
Temporary Cash Assistance (TCA) – This program is called Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) in most states. The program will provide those who qualify with a cash benefit each month that can be used to pay for a variety of living expenses. The funds can be used to pay for food, clothing, shelter, transportation, etc. The money received from this program never has to be paid back. To qualify for TCA, you have to have at least one child under the age of 18 that you are providing for, you have to be a legal citizen or legal non-citizen, and some people may have to participate in a work program. There is a limit of 48 months on how long you can receive cash assistance from this program. To get more information or apply, click here.
Housing and Urban Development (HUD) – This program provides financial help for African Americans in Florida by providing them assistance with paying rent, avoiding foreclosure, and locating affordable housing. The program will also help with paying for necessary home repairs, and providing free weatherization services. To get help from this program you have to be a legal citizen or legal non-citizen, and you have to have a low income. To get more information about HUD in Florida, click here.
Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) – This program will provide financial help for African Americans in Florida by paying for their utility bills. Cooling the home costs a lot in Florida, because it’s so warm. This means the monthly utility bills are high and many people struggle to pay them. Those who have a low income can get help through this program to pay their utility bill. To qualify you have to be the person who is responsible for paying the bill and you have to have a low income. The program is funded through a block grant, which means they get one lump sum of money each year, and when it’s used up they won’t get more until the next year. To get more information about this program, click here.
Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) – This program ensures that women who are nutritionally at risk get healthy food each month. Those who need help obtaining food can apply for the program and if they are approved they will get healthy food each month. To qualify for WIC in Florida, you have to have a low income, and be a pregnant or have at least one child under the age of five. To apply for WIC you have visit one of their clinics near you. To get more information or find a clinic near you, click here.
Medicaid – This program will provide financial help for African Americans by paying for their medical expenses. Those who are approved can get nearly all their medical expenses paid for, including going to the doctor or hospital. To qualify, you have to have a low income and be a legal citizen or legal non-citizen. To get more information or apply for Medicaid in Florida, click here.
Catholic Charities – In Florida, Catholic Charities plays an important role in providing financial help for African Americans. They offer locations around the state, where they provide a variety of helpful services. They are affiliated with the Roman Catholic Church, but provide their services to everyone, regardless of one’s religious affiliation. They offer free food, clothing, shelter, transportation, counseling, and more. To get more information about Catholic Charities in Florida, click here.
Salvation Army – Similar to Catholic Charities, this organization has locations throughout the state and they offer a wide range of services. They help people obtain food, clothing, shelter, counseling, medical services, transportation, and much more. Contact the locations that is near you to see what type of programs are being offered. If they cannot help you at that location they may be able to refer to a nearby one, or another charity that can help with your specific situation. They help many people in the community and even do outreach work to make their services more accessible. To get more information or find a location near you, click here.