📋 GRANTLANTERN GUIDE · Updated March 2026
Rental Assistance and Eviction Prevention: What's Available Right Now
Emergency rental assistance, 211, Legal Aid, and every resource available if you're behind on rent.
If you're behind on rent, act immediately. Most rental assistance programs require you to apply before an eviction judgment — once a judgment is entered, options narrow significantly. Here is every resource available, in the order you should contact them.
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Immediate Resources (Contact Today)
Call 211
The most underused resource in America. Call or text 211 from any phone. Connects you to local emergency rental assistance, utility help, food programs, and more. Available 24/7 in most areas.
Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA)
Federal ERA funds sent $46 billion to states and localities. Many still have funds. Search '[your city/county] emergency rental assistance' to find your local program.
Community Action Agencies
Nonprofit organizations in every county with flexible emergency funds, often faster than government programs. Find yours at communityactionpartnership.com or through 211.
If You Received an Eviction Notice
Contact Legal Aid immediately
Free legal representation for eviction cases. Many Legal Aid attorneys can delay or stop eviction while you secure assistance — but only if you contact them within a few days of receiving notice. Find them at lawhelp.org.
Document everything in writing
Respond to your landlord in writing. Keep copies of all communications. This protects you legally if the case goes to court.
Apply to multiple programs simultaneously
Don't wait for one program to respond before applying to others. Apply everywhere at once.
Utility and Energy Assistance
LIHEAP
Federal program covering heating and cooling costs. Applied through your state energy office. Keeping utilities on is often the first priority.
State-specific utility assistance
Many utilities offer their own hardship programs. Call your electric and gas company directly and ask for their 'hardship' or 'assistance' program.
211 utility programs
211 maintains a database of local utility assistance programs that don't appear in national databases.
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GrantLantern matches your situation — your state, household, and circumstances — to the programs you appear to qualify for. Free to use, no account required.
See What I Qualify For →grantlantern.org · 426+ programs · Updated March 2026