Financial emergencies happen to everyone. When you're living on disability benefits, finding emergency cash can feel especially challenging. Here are your options.
In this article, we'll cover:
- Emergency assistance programs
- Community and charitable resources
- Government help available
- Safe borrowing options
- What to avoid
1. Emergency Assistance Programs
LIHEAP (Low Income Home Energy Assistance):
- Helps with utility bills
- Available in all states
- Apply through local community action agency
Emergency SNAP benefits:
- Expedited food assistance
- Available within 7 days if you qualify
- Contact local SNAP office
Emergency Medicaid:
- Covers emergency medical costs
- Available even without regular Medicaid
- Apply at hospital or health department
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF):
- Emergency cash assistance
- Varies by state
- Contact local social services
2. Community and Charitable Resources
Local charities:
- Salvation Army
- St. Vincent de Paul
- Catholic Charities
- Local churches and religious organizations
Utility company programs:
- Many utilities have hardship programs
- Payment plans and forgiveness
- Call your utility directly
211 helpline:
- Dial 211 from any phone
- Connects you to local resources
- Available 24/7 in most areas
Community action agencies:
- Emergency assistance programs
- Rent and utility help
- Food assistance
Modest Needs:
- Self-sufficiency grants
- For people just above poverty line
- Apply at modestneeds.org
3. Government Help Available
Social Security emergency advance:
- SSI recipients may get advance payment
- If you face financial emergency before first check
- Contact local SSA office
SSI immediate payment:
- Available in certain emergencies
- Very limited circumstances
- Ask SSA about eligibility
Housing assistance:
- Emergency rental assistance programs
- Eviction prevention programs
- Contact local housing authority
Veterans benefits (if applicable):
- VA emergency financial assistance
- Veteran service organizations
- Contact VA or local VSO
4. Safe Borrowing Options
If you must borrow, choose wisely:
Credit union loans:
- Lower rates than payday lenders
- Small-dollar loan programs
- More flexible than banks
Family and friends:
- No interest if they're willing
- Put agreement in writing
- Treat it seriously
Credit card (if available):
- Better than payday loans
- Pay off as quickly as possible
- Watch the interest rate
Secured loans:
- Use collateral you can afford to lose
- Lower rates than unsecured
- Understand the risks
Important: For SSI recipients, loan proceeds don't count as income. But the cash in your account does count as a resource—spend it before the first of the month.
5. What to Avoid
Payday loans:
- Extremely high interest (400%+ APR)
- Debt trap cycle
- Can make situation worse
Title loans:
- Risk losing your vehicle
- Very high interest
- Difficult to escape
Rent-to-own:
- Pay many times the item's value
- Not a good deal
Advance-fee loans:
- Scams that charge upfront
- Legitimate lenders don't do this
- Never pay to get a loan
Pawn shops (for essentials):
- Only if you can afford to lose the item
- High fees
- Last resort only
Building Emergency Resilience
For the future:
- Build small emergency fund in ABLE account
- Keep $100-200 buffer in checking
- Know your resources before emergencies hit
- Keep important numbers handy
Stay connected:
- Build relationships with local organizations
- Know your caseworker
- Stay informed about available help
How Purple Helps
- Track your balance and spending
- ABLE integration for emergency savings
- See all your finances in one place
- Stay under SSI limits while saving