Help paying rent

First, know what changed

Check eligibility with the program. Rules, income limits, dates and funding change and differ by area. This site is a directory of official and major nonprofit help. It is not legal or financial advice, and we are not connected to any program. Official programs don’t charge a fee to apply.

The federal Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA) program has ended. Treasury says the final funding period ended on 30 September 2025. Treasury: ERA status. Some cities, counties and charities still run their own rent help, so ask locally.

Talk to your landlord early

Explain what happened and when you can pay. Ask for a written payment plan. A free HUD-approved housing counselor can help you prepare, and can explain your options if you get an eviction notice.

US rent help

Outside the US

United Kingdom

• Citizens Advice: Free, independent advice on bills, benefits, debt and housing, online, by phone or in person.
• Crisis and Resilience Fund (England): From 1 April 2026, local councils in England give crisis help with essential and housing costs through this fund. It replaced the Household Support Fund and includes what used to be Discretionary Housing Payments.
• Discretionary Housing Payments (Wales and Scotland): Extra help with rent if you get Housing Benefit or the housing element of Universal Credit and still can’t cover your housing costs.
• National Debtline: Free, independent debt advice, including on rent and council tax arrears.
• Shelter (England): Free housing advice, including what to do about rent arrears and finding a deposit.
• Benefits calculators: Free, independent calculators to check which benefits you could get.

Canada

• 211 Canada: Free help finding local community, social, health and government services.
• Benefits Finder: Answer questions to see federal, provincial and territorial benefits you may be able to get.

Australia

• National Debt Helpline: Free, confidential financial counselling for help with bills, rent arrears and debt.
• Rent Assistance: Extra money paid with eligible Centrelink payments if you pay rent above a certain amount. You don’t usually need to apply separately.
• Crisis Payment: A one-off payment for people on an income support payment who are in severe financial hardship because of certain extreme circumstances.
• Ask Izzy: Find free or low-cost services near you, such as food, housing and money help.

Get ready to apply

Programs usually ask you to prove who you are, where you live and what your household earns. Before you call, it helps to have:

• ID for the person applying
• Recent proof of income for everyone in the home (pay stubs, benefit letters)
• Your latest bill, and any past-due or shut-off notice
• Your lease or rental agreement (for rent help)
• Your account numbers

Call your utility or landlord early. Many will agree a payment plan if you ask before you fall far behind.

Watch out for scams

Real programs don’t charge you to apply. A utility company won’t demand payment by gift card, wire transfer, cryptocurrency or payment app to stop a same-day shut-off. If someone does, hang up and call the number on your bill. FTC: scammers pretend to be your utility company.

Make a plan for next month

Once the urgent bill is covered, a simple budget can help stop it happening again. Our free Budget Planner helps you plan your money each month, the debt payoff calculator shows how to clear what you owe, and the rent affordability calculator checks what rent fits your income.

Frequently asked questions