Those who live in Indiana who are experiencing a difficult financial time may need some help. The good news is that there are plenty of programs in place that will give it to them. The programs, which are largely funded by the federal government, are put in place as a safety net to help ensure that people’s basic needs are being met. All of them will provide financial help for African Americans. In Indiana, getting help is easier than you probably think.
The process of getting financial help for African Americans in Indiana is easier than you may think. All you have to do is apply for the programs, because they exist for the purpose of helping those in the community who need assistance. If you are approved for the programs you never have to pay anything back, because it’s not a loan. The funds are given to people to help keep them afloat during difficult financial times.
Financial Help for African Americans in Indiana
Housing and Urban Development (HUD) – This program offers financial assistance for housing. It’s a government program that helps people avoid homelessness. They offer several ways to help people with their housing issues, including helping to pay rent, avoid foreclosure, pay for weatherization services, and they will pay for necessary home repair bills. For example, if you need help paying for your heating until to be repaired or replaced, you may be able to get it from HUD. They also own housing units that are made available to people to live in for free, providing you meet the qualifications. To qualify for HUD, you have to have a low income and be a legal citizen or legal non-citizen. To get more information, click here.
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) – This program provides financial help for African Americans by providing them with food each month. There is no limit to how long you can receive help from SNAP, so you if you are approved you can get it for a long time. You will receive a debit card that is loaded each month with funds that you can use to pay for your food at the grocery store or farmer’s market. To qualify for SNAP, you have to have a low income. The amount that you will receive each month depends on how many dependents are you providing for in your home. To get more information or apply for SNAP in Illinois, click here.
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) – This program offers a monthly cash benefit for those who need assistance. If you are qualified, you will receive cash each month that can be used to pay for living expenses, including on housing, clothing, food, bills, etc. To be approved for TANF, you have to have a low income and at least one minor child that you are caring for. There is a five year limit on how long you can receive funds from TANF. To get more information or apply for the program, click here.
Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) – This program is federally funded and will provide financial help for African Americans in Indiana. The program pays for your utility bill if you qualify. To qualify, you have to have a low income and be the person responsible for paying the bill. This program is one you have to apply for early in the season, because it’s funded through a block grant. This means that once the funds run out, they can’t help anyone else until they get more funds the next year. You have to re-apply for this program each year that you need the financial help. If you are approved for LIHEAP in Illinois, they will send the funds directly to your utility provider and your account will be credited. To get more information or apply, click here.
Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) – This program is designed to help pregnant women, as well as women who have at least one child under the age of five, to get nutritious food each month. Those who are approved will get free healthy food each month from the grocery store. To qualify, you have to have a low income and be considered nutritionally at risk. The focus on this program is healthy food, rather than a program like SNAP, which allows you to use the funds for any foods. To apply for WIC, you have to visit one of their clinics. To get more information or find a WIC clinic near you, click here.
Catholic Charities – This is a faith-based organization that will provide a range of free services to give financial help for African Americans. In Indiana there are numerous locations of Catholic Charities that residents can turn to for help. The programs they offer will help pay your bills provide shelter, food, transportation, counseling services, and much more. This organization is part of a national one that has over 3,000 locations. They are affiliated with the Roman Catholic Church. You do not have to be religious in order to receive help through their programs. To get more information or find a location close to you, click here.
Salvation Army – This is another faith-based organization that will help people who are struggling financially. You may be familiar with this group, because each year around Christmas they ring the bells and have kettles set out, taking donations from people. The donations are used to help people in the community. They provide several types of helpful services in the community, including free hot meals, boxes of food from their pantry, counseling services, support groups, case management, shelters, disaster relief, and much more. Contact a location close to you to see what type of service they offer and how you can move forward with receiving assistance. This organization also runs many thrift stores, which gives them access to things like household goods that they can give to people in the community who need such items. To get more information or find a location close to you, click here.