Resources To Help With Rent and Other Bills in Missouri

Written by Baylee Patel
Reviewed by Matt Pelkey

August 15, 2024 • 4 minute read

Lifestyle on a Budget

Lifestyle on a Budget

One of the biggest expenses people face each month is rent — and it can be scary when you’re not sure if you’ll be able to make your payment.

Thankfully, there are many places Missourians can turn to when it’s tough to make ends meet.

Support can be found from St. Louis to Kansas City and anywhere in-between. Whether you need help with rent, groceries, utilities or other expenses, there are a number of government agencies and nonprofits providing housing assistance in Missouri.

Where to get help with rent in Missouri

Missouri Community Action Network

The Missouri Community Action Network is the central hub for the Community Action Agencies serving Missouri. They offer a variety of services including help with rent. You can find local agencies across the state.

Catholic Charities

Catholic Charities is a nationwide nonprofit and many of their branches offer rental assistance programs to renters in need. Here are a few locations in Missouri.

• Catholic Charities of Southern Missouri
  • 424 E. Monastery Street
    Springfield, MO 65807
• Catholic Charities of Kansas City & St. Joseph
  • 1123 S. 10th Street
    St. Joseph, MO 64503
  • 4001 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard
    Suite 250
    Kansas City, MO 64130

Credit & Homeownership Empowerment Services

Credit and Homeownership Empowerment Services is headquartered in Kansas City and helps people looking for rent assistance navigate the process.

• 3125 Gillham Plaza
  Kansas City, MO 64109

Where to turn in case of eviction

Missouri Tenant Help

Missouri Tenant Help is an online service funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) that provides legal assistance and resources to Missourians facing eviction.

HUD

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development also offers support services and resources to help find assistance and emergency housing.

Love Columbia

Love Columbia is a nonprofit organization serving those in need in Columbia, Missouri. Their work involves homelessness prevention. They can help people find emergency shelter, locate income-based affordable housing and find rental housing.

• 1209 E Walnut Street
  Columbia, MO 65201

Where to find help with utility bills in Missouri

Electricity

Missouri Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)

LIHEAP is a program designed to help low-income families manage their bills. There are two parts to the program. The first provides financial assistance to families in the winter to help pay their heating bill. The second offers financial assistance to households in an energy crisis. Some eligibility requirements for LIHEAP include:

• You are responsible for paying the utility bills.
• You’re a Missouri resident.
• You have $3,000 or less in your bank, retirement and investment accounts.
• You are at, or below, the income guidelines for your household.

Keeping Current and Keeping Cool

The Ameren Energy company offers two payment assistance programs. The first is called “Keeping Current” and it can help Missouri residents keep their electricity bill affordable.

They also offer a program, “Keeping Cool,” that provides up to 5 credits of $50 from May to September. Eligible customers include senior citizens, families with children under 5 or those who have a documented chronic medical condition or disability.

Natural Gas

Many gas companies in Missouri offer financial assistance to customers facing hard times. Examples include Ameren’s Clean Slate Gas Program and Spire’s payment assistance options.

Phone & internet

Missouri citizens who meet certain eligibility requirements may qualify for phone and internet assistance through the Lifeline program. Additionally, some phone and internet providers may offer discounts and other types of financial assistance to low-income customers.

Water

The Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP) is similar to LIHEAP and provides financial assistance for water bills to individuals and families who qualify.

Where to get help with groceries in Missouri

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

SNAP provides families with food benefits that can help them supplement their grocery bill to afford healthy options.

Feeding Missouri

Feeding Missouri is a network of more than 1,500 community feeding programs that operate across the state. They support local pantries and food programs to distribute over 120 million pounds of food each year to those in need.

Other resources that can help

United Way

United Way is a national nonprofit that works to build stronger communities. They offer all kinds of support to help communities boost education, economic mobility and health resources.

2-1-1

You can call 2-1-1 or visit their online directory to find assistance with things like:

• Health care
• Housing
• Utilities
• Clothing
• Transportation
• Legal services and public safety
• Education
• Employment
• Mental Health

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