There are roughly 736,000 veterans living in the state of North Carolina. There may be times when they experience financial difficulty. These difficult times can be brought about by being between jobs or by not having a job that pays a high enough salary. Combine that with the rising cost of living and it can create a stressful situation. The good news is that there are grants for veterans in North Carolina, and they can be helpful in making ends meet when it becomes difficult to pay the bills.
While loans have to be paid back, grants do not. They are essentially considered to be gifts that are intended to help those in need during difficult financial times. The government offers numerous grants for veterans in North Carolina, making it easier for them to make ends meet. Some grant programs provide short term assistance, while others will help on a longer term basis.
Types of Grants for Veterans in North Carolina
Food Stamps – This program is also referred to nationwide as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The Food Stamps program in North Carolina provides those who qualify with a monthly grant that can be used to purchase food. Once you are approved for the program, you will receive a debit-style card, where the grant is electronically added to it each month. You can then use that card to pay for groceries at the store or farmer’s market. To qualify for Food Stamps in North Carolina, you have to meet the low income requirements, be a citizen or legal immigrant, and have no more than $2,250 of countable assets. You can apply online, in person, or by mail. To apply, click here.
Work First Cash Assistance – This program is referred to nationally as Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF). The program provides a monthly cash grant to those who qualify. The cash assistance is intended to help with living expenses, including for bills, clothing, food, transportation, and rent. The program will provide those who qualify with a one-time cash payment, or a monthly payment for three months. They also provide emergency assistance. To qualify, you have to meet the low income requirements, be a citizen or legal immigrant, and show proof of identity and citizenship. You can apply at your local social services office. To apply, click here.
Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP) – This is a federally-funded program that helps people with a low income by paying their energy bill. They provide a one-time payment per year. Those who are over the age of 60 and receiving disability benefits can apply for the program from December 1-31, while everyone else can apply from January 1-March 31. The program is based on a first come, first served basis, because it does have limited funds. To qualify for the energy grant, you have to meet the low income requirements, be a citizen or legal immigrant, be the person responsible for paying the bill, and have countable assets of no more than $2,250. You can apply at your local social services office. To apply, click here.
Housing and Urban Development (HUD) – Veterans who need housing assistance in North Carolina may qualify for help through HUD. The HUD programs will help people to pay rent, avoid foreclosure, obtain necessary home repairs, and to locate affordable housing in their area. They will also help you find Section 8 and public housing options within your area. To qualify for HUD programs you have to meet the low income requirements. To apply, you first need to speak with a North Carolina HUD counselor, who will assess your current financial situation, and assess your housing assistance needs. To apply, click here.
Lifeline Assistance – There are phone grants for veterans in North Carolina. Veterans who have difficulty paying a phone bill each month may qualify for the Lifeline Assistance program. Those who qualify will only have to pay $9.25 per month for their phone, whether it is a land line or cellular one, and the government will pay the rest of the bill with a grant. To qualify, you have to meet the low income requirements. To apply, click here.
Veterans who need help paying the bills each month may qualify for assistance. The grants for veterans in North Carolina can be helpful in making ends meet, while you strive for becoming more self-sufficient. There is no limit to the number of grant programs you can apply for or receive funds from at one time.