50 Resources If You are Flat Broke, Jobless, Homeless, Etc.

This post has been updated in 2014 to include many more (and more updated) resources.  Find it here.

I was thinking about writing this post, thinking about all of the many resources that are available for those in need, then thought maybe I would write about something else. Then, just as I was signing onto Blogger, I came across this article in my feed reader which inspired me to write about my original topic. Obviously I don't write as well as this guy or have his experience but these 50 resources may help (and note that the article was written in the 1970s but many of the resources are just as viable today...interesting!).

1. If you or your spouse have served any time at all in the Armed Forces, check with your local VA service center to see what benefits you are entitled to.


2. Our city has free meal sites all over town, each day of the week. Most places that help the homeless will have an updated list of these meal sites.


3. The Salvation Army is great. They offer two meals each day (breakfast and lunch) and provide food to go, toiletries, and other things for those in need.


4. Call 211--this is a national number which provides information on all of the social service resources available in your community.


5. Sign up for food stamps if you qualify. Many do, even if they are working part time. It doesn't hurt to ask.


6. Sign up for public housing or emergency housing if you qualify. Unfortunately, there is such a huge need for this service that many housing programs have years-long waiting lists.


7. Sign up for welfare if you qualify. Generally this is for parents with children but there may be medical programs and other services that anyone with low/no income can qualify for.


8. If you are a senior citizen, check out what services you qualify for (ie: Social Security, Medicare, etc).


9. Take advantage of other senior deals (discounted national parks passes, discounted bus passes, discounted airline tickets, restaurant discounts, etc).


10. Ditch the car and get a transit pass. These are often discounted for those with low/no income.


11. Check out your local Goodwill--they have everything from free job training programs to low income assistance programs and good discount shopping in their stores as well.


12. Dollar Stores are a great place to shop for everything from food to toiletries--just choose nutritious food instead of the super low-priced junk food.


13. Thrift stores are another great place to shop. They usually have low prices but on certain days, they have sales and their low prices may be cut in half!


14. Our local library is like Grand Central for the homeless. Not only does it provide shelter on cold, rainy days, but with a free library card, you get free books to read, free use of computers and internet, free music, free newspapers, free videos, etc.


15. Dumpster diving is a tried and true way to find stuff you need. It pays to go with an experienced diver the first few times because they will know where the good dumpsters are, where to find the best food, which ones to stay away from, etc.


16. College students should definitely check and see if their school has a homeless services office. Many schools are now aware that some of their students are homeless and they try to provide as many extra services as possible for these students, usually through a designated office or club.


17. Check with your local health department. They generally offer everything from free vaccinations and basic medical tests to other services.


18. Check with your local mental health services office. This is another organization that deals with a lot of homeless/low income people as mental health issues can often go hand in hand with reasons that people become homeless.


19. If you are a member of a federally enrolled tribe, your tribal health clinic or tribal liaison office can help you sign up for the benefits you are entitled to.


20. Free community events are a great place to score some free entertainment as well as get free stuff (vendors usually provide samples and free advertising stuff like t shirts at these events).


21. Free food samples are always good. If you have a Costco or Sam's Club card, running around the food aisles a couple of times can practically provide a free meals just from the food samples.


22. Many communities have programs that help you pay for your heat and utilities during the winter. Check with your local social services office about these programs or with your local utility office.


23. Medical care can be super expensive. Free community medical clinics are a good first place to go. If you don't have one of those, a sliding scale clinic is the next step, and then maybe an urgent care. Emergency rooms of hospitals are required to provide you service in the event of an emergency (but be prepared for the huge bill you get in the mail afterwards...should this happen, ask about the hospital's charity care program).


24. Look for opportunities. Like the guy in the article, he saw a need then filled it (selling cigarettes, selling photos). If you see a need, think about what you can do to fill the need and make a little money in the process.


25. Crash weddings, parties, and meetings. The food at these events can range from minimal to awesome.


26. Malls are another location to pick up free stuff on occasion. Our mall hosts various events throughout the year that feature free entertainment and free vendor samples. Additionally, our mall has a marketing research company which pays people for their opinions on consumer products. For about 10 minutes of my time I have often received $7--enough to pay for my frap at Starbucks.


27. When it comes to getting a minimum wage job, find one with benefits, even if it is just at a restaurant where you get free meals (I lived off of free meals at restaurant jobs all through college).


28. You could try dating. This probably only works well for women but a friend of mine has met so many dates online and they almost always meet her for coffee or take her out for dinner. I don't think she has paid for dinner in like a year.


29. Look online for free stuff. Freecycle and CraigsList are great places to look for free stuff.


30. Consider a trade. Trade your handyman or manager services for free apartment rent, or trade some work at a restaurant or venue when they have a big event for free meals. Living in as a babysitter or senior care taker is also a great way to secure housing by trading work.


31. Get a monthly pass for the local gym or YMCA/YWCA if you are homeless, this is a great way to get a free shower every day.


32. If you are involved in a domestic violence situation, call your local YWCA or DV shelter and find out about their free shelter programs and other services available to domestic violence victims.


33. Do a good deed. Sometimes, doing something as simple as helping a stranger can result in an amazing payback.


34. Get a PO Box. For a minimal annual fee, you will at least have a place to get your mail. For some things you need a street address, in this case you may want to check into getting a private mailbox.


35. A prepaid cell phone (like Virgin Mobile's $25 per month plan) will at least keep you in touch with people and possible job prospects. Note that some phone companies offer highly discounted home and cell phones for low income people.


36. Check with your local fire department for everything from free smoke detectors to free car seats for your kids, to free CPR classes, to free grab bars for the elderly. Not all fire departments offer these things but many in our area do.


37. If you are homeless, find out where your severe weather shelters are; many of these places offer free overnight lodging for the homeless when he weather is severely cold.


38. If you have been made homeless due to a declared disaster, FEMA's disaster assistance programs have a range of services that you can partake in.


39. Homeless shelters are available in most cities; this is one option for shelter that some people take advantage of (others don't seem to like shelters so you would have to see for yourself if this is a good option for you).


40. Many cities have specialized homeless youth service centers; this is an excellent option for those under 21 who are homeless.


41. You could join the military. Once you are in, they literally take care of everything for you--housing, shelter, food, training, clothing, dental, etc.


42. If you are facing eviction, some community service agencies can help with this. They can alert your to your rights in this situation, sometimes provide emergency cash assistance to pay back rent, and other times file for stays of eviction until further help can be provided.


43. If you are in legal trouble, there are a number of free and low cost legal services available. Everything from free legal advice 1-800 numbers to free legal clinics, to "do it yourself" legal forms and classes, to community service programs to pay off tickets can be had by asking at your local courthouse.


44. If drug and alcohol issues are the reason your find yourself in need, many communities offer in-patient and out-patient drug and alcohol treatment services.


45. If you are recently jobless, check to see if you qualify for unemployment payments, job retraining program, or any other programs related to your being unemployed.


46. College can be another great idea. Depending on your income, test scores, or grades, qualifying for grants and scholarships can give you a college education and housing. Beware student loans, however, which can saddle you with debt for decades.


47. Consider an easy to set up online business to take in some cash. With so many free platforms for selling your stuff online, the possibilities are endless. One girl was reported to have sold her used underwear online and this raked in enough to pay for her entire college education (sounds icky but I guess there is a big market for this).


48. Some cities have drop in centers which provide all kinds of services for the homeless from showers to a place to do their laundry to meals and assistance with securing other services.


49. Consider hunting down your own food. Depending on the season, you can fish, hunt, forage for wild berries and fruit, find wild mushrooms, etc.


50. Stand by the side of the road and hold a sign asking for money. Sounds tacky but this has nearly become a cottage industry in our area and I've heard that some people can take in more per hour doing this than getting a job (I wouldn't suggest this as a life-long career but if you are flat broke and desperate this may be an option).