Emergency grants
Choose the official resource for the expense or emergency you are facing.
GrantCalendar’s deadline directory focuses on small businesses and nonprofits. This guide covers personal assistance. We do not award money or take applications.
Sources checked
Emergency food and housing assistance
For food needed now, USAGov links to local food pantries through HUD’s Find Shelter tool and to state agencies for the Emergency Food Assistance Program. USAGov: emergency food assistance.
USAGov’s emergency housing page links to shelter help and emergency rent assistance. Follow the resource for your housing need and location. USAGov: emergency housing assistance.
Cash assistance and utility bills
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) helps eligible families with expenses such as food, housing and utilities. State and tribal agencies set their own rules; apply through the agency where you live. USAGov: TANF benefits.
USAGov links to LIHEAP for help with heating and cooling costs, weatherization assistance, and Lifeline discounts for eligible phone or internet service. USAGov: utility bill assistance.
Disaster assistance
FEMA assistance depends on a presidential disaster declaration and individual eligibility. USAGov links to the official address lookup and DisasterAssistance.gov application; living in a declared area does not qualify you for every program. USAGov: applying for disaster assistance.
Car repair assistance
Car repair assistance can be tied to a local employment program. In Nevada, NEON lists car repairs among support services for TANF participants. Contact the program about eligibility and approval before arranging a repair. Nevada DSS: employment support services.
Avoid grant scams
An unsolicited grant offer or a demand to pay an upfront fee is a scam warning. Do not send gift cards, wire transfers or cryptocurrency to collect a supposed government grant. FTC: government grant scams.