I Can’t Pay for Everything

Reduce What Has to Be Paid Now

Call the landlord, utility, lender, or billing office before the deadline. After it passes, fewer options may be available.

“I can’t pay the full amount by [date]. What options do you have?”

Ask whether the payment can be delayed, reduced, spread out, or covered by a hardship program.

Get any agreement in writing.

For medical bills, see I Need Help Getting or Paying for Medical Care →

Be careful with payday loans, title loans, and other high-cost short-term borrowing. Before borrowing, ask whether the bill can be delayed, reduced, covered by assistance, or handled another way.

Solving this month shouldn’t create a bigger problem next month.

Find Who Handles the Application

Start with the need, not the name of a program.

If a social worker, case manager, benefits worker, or patient navigator is already involved, start there.

“This is the need I’m trying to cover. Which program should I apply for, and who actually handles the application?”

If no one is involved, start with 211 or the USAGov Benefit Finder.

Ask:

• Is this the right program?
• Where’s the official application?
• Is there a deadline or waitlist?
• Who do I contact if it stalls?

Don’t wait to understand every program before making the first call.

For military-connected benefits, see I Need Help With VA Benefits, Claims, or Family Coverage →

For Medicaid to help pay for a nursing home or care at home, see I Need Help Applying for Medicaid Long-Term Care →

Protect the Filing Date

Ask:

“What has to be submitted now, and what can I send later?”

Then ask:

“Does the application date affect when benefits can begin?”

If it does, ask whether the application can be started now and supporting documents sent later.

Keep copies of what you submit. Don’t lose a filing date waiting for every document.

If you’re applying for someone else, ask what form or permission the program requires before it will speak with you.

Don’t assume a health care or financial power of attorney gives access to every benefit program.

After You Apply

Confirm:

• the application was received
• the case or confirmation number
• whether anything is missing
• who’s handling it
• what can help while you wait

Don’t assume silence means approval or denial.

A pending application doesn’t pay the bill while you wait.

If the Application Is Denied

Read the notice before starting over.

Ask:

“Was this denied because the person doesn’t qualify, because something was missing, or because this is the wrong program?”

Then find the deadline for review or appeal.

If one source says no, ask where else to apply.