Ayuda con Alquiler y Servicios
¿Le falta dinero para el alquiler o enfrenta un corte de servicios? Varios programas de Memphis y del condado de Shelby pueden ayudar, pero casi todos tienen fondos limitados, plazos mensuales y requisitos de documentos. Aquí verá quién ofrece qué para que solicite primero en el lugar correcto.
Esta guía está disponible solo en inglés por ahora. Si tiene preguntas, llámenos al (901) 286-1035 o escriba a [email protected].
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Numbers to know
- 911Emergency Services (911)24/7
- 988988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline24/7
- 1-800-222-1222Poison Help Line24/7
- 2-1-1LINC 2-1-1 (Memphis Public Libraries & United Way)Library-based staff: Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
| Organization | What they offer | Who qualifies & cost | How to apply | Contact |
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| LINC 2-1-1 (Memphis Public Libraries & United Way) official websiteMemphis and Shelby County, TN | A free information and referral service that maintains a large database of local human services organizations, government agencies, and volunteer groups. Common requests include utilities, food, legal help, childcare, housing, and mental health. Social workers and outreach specialists are available at five library branches, and you can search the database online yourself. | Open to anyoneCost: Free | Dial 2-1-1, visit a participating library branch, or search the online Community Resources Database. |
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| Memphis Light, Gas and Water (MLGW): Customer Assistance Programs official websiteMLGW service area, Memphis and Shelby County, TN | Payment tools for MLGW customers who are behind, including Plus-1 (donation-funded hardship help), On Track, Extended Payment Plans, Budget Billing, and PowerPay for smart-meter customers (no deposit, reconnection fee, or late fees). A winter moratorium defers cutoffs for balances of $399 or less from December 15 to January 14. Federally funded bill help comes through the county Community Services Agency. | Varies by program. Plus-1: income-qualified MLGW customers facing hardship such as illness or job loss. PowerPay requires a smart meter. The winter moratorium applies to balances of $399 or less.Cost: Varies | Use your MLGW My Account or mobile app, or call (901) 544-6549 to schedule an appointment at an MLGW Community Office. Check mlgw.com/utilityassistance for each program. |
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| Metropolitan Inter-Faith Association (MIFA): Housing Stability Programs official websiteMemphis and Shelby, Tipton, Fayette and Lauderdale counties | Rent and mortgage assistance to help households avoid eviction or foreclosure, plus shelter placement and rapid rehousing for homeless families with children. Help depends on available funds and is meant to be enough to stop the eviction or foreclosure. MIFA also runs senior programs such as Meals on Wheels. Apply early. | Rent or mortgage help: Shelby County residents with a late rent or mortgage notice who can document a recent crisis or loss of income; not eligible if MIFA helped you in the past 12 months, and first-time applicants get preference. Shelter placement: Shelby County families with minor children who are literally homeless (HUD definition). Rapid rehousing: families already in emergency shelter.Cost: Free | Complete the online application at mifa.org/applyonline. Rent and mortgage help desk: (901) 529-4538. Hotline for homeless families with minor children: (901) 529-4545. The site posts notices when the application is temporarily unavailable. |
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| Neighborhood Christian Centers official websiteMemphis, TN | A Memphis nonprofit on Jackson Avenue that lists community programs ranging from homelessness services to education and employment, including an NCC Utility Program for utility help. The organization's homepage does not spell out eligibility or how much help is available, so call before visiting to confirm what is offered right now. | Check with providerCost: Check with provider | Call or visit during office hours to ask about the utility program and current assistance. |
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| Shelby County Community Services Agency: Rent & Mortgage Assistance (CEAP) official websiteShelby County, TN | The county emergency assistance program for Shelby County households facing eviction or foreclosure. Applications open online at 8:30 a.m. on the first Monday of each month, first-come, first-served, so have your documents ready. The agency says it never charges for this service. | Shelby County resident; household income at or below 200% of federal poverty guidelines (FY2026: $31,920/yr for one person, $66,000/yr for a family of four); current lease or mortgage; proof of income for seniors 60+ or documentation of wage loss; valid photo ID and Social Security cards for all household members; include voucher paperwork if on Section 8Cost: Free | Apply through the online portal linked from shelbycountycsa.org/rent-mortgage-assistance when the monthly window opens (first Monday, 8:30 a.m.). Seniors needing help with applications can call the call center. |
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| Society of St. Vincent de Paul, Memphis official websiteMemphis, TN (by zip-code conference) | A volunteer-based charity offering help with utilities, food, rent, or a mortgage through neighborhood parish conferences. Funds are limited and vary by conference, and each conference serves specific zip codes, so call only the number for your zip code. | Not published on the page checked. Assistance is based on the conference serving your zip code.Cost: Free | Call only the number for your ZIP (other numbers redirect): 38017, 38115, 38119, 38138, 38139: (901) 754-1204 | 38107, 38108, 38109, 38120, 38117 north of Poplar: (901) 255-1953 | 38103, 38105, 38126: (901) 527-2542 | 38002, 38016, 38018, 38133: (901) 756-1213 | 38111, 38112, 38114: (901) 458-4238 | 38134, 38135: (901) 567-8826 | 38125, 38141: (901) 758-0128 | 38104, 38106: (901) 435-5346 | 38122, 38128: email [email protected] only. |
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| The Salvation Army, Memphis Area Command official websiteMemphis, TN | The Salvation Army's Memphis operation lists utility, rent, food, and shelter help among its services, with the main office at 696 Jackson Avenue. Funding is limited and varies, so call first to ask what is currently available and what to bring. | Check with providerCost: Check with provider | Call the main office to ask about current assistance and how to apply. |
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| United Way of the Mid-South: Driving the Dream Call Center official websiteGreater Memphis area, including Shelby County, TN | A single phone line that connects you with housing, utility, and other nonprofit services across a network of partner agencies. Operators ask about your situation and point you to programs that fit, so you don't have to call a dozen places. It is a referral service, not a fund, so approval still comes from the partner agency. | Check with providerCost: Free | Call 2-1-1 or (901) 415-2790. United Way also lists (844) 444-4211 for its relief call center. |
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Preguntas frecuentes
What should I gather before I apply?
Most programs ask for a photo ID, Social Security cards for everyone in the household, your lease or mortgage statement, proof of income or income loss, and a recent utility bill or shut-off notice. Having these ready before an application window opens saves time.
Do any of these programs charge a fee?
No. The Shelby County Community Services Agency states it never accepts payment for its grant-funded services and calls any request for payment a scam. If anyone asks you to pay to be approved for assistance, stop and confirm with the agency directly.
I don't know which program fits me. Where do I start?
Call 2-1-1. Trained staff can look at your situation and point you to local programs. United Way of the Mid-South's Driving the Dream call center can also connect you with housing and utility help.
Is there any protection from utility shut-offs in winter?
MLGW describes a winter moratorium that defers cutoffs for nonpayment between December 15 and January 14 for balances of $399 or less. It does not erase what you owe, so ask about payment plans or assistance in the meantime.
Programas en pausa o cerrados: vuelva a consultar
Estos programas no aceptaban solicitudes la última vez que lo verificamos. Muchos reabren cada año o por temporada; consulte la página oficial o llame antes de descartarlos.
| Organization | What they offer | Who qualifies & cost | How to apply | Contact |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shelby County Community Services Agency: Utility Assistance (LIHEAP) official websiteClosedShelby County, TN | Federally funded help with home energy bills for eligible Shelby County households, offered as regular assistance or faster-reviewed crisis assistance when you have a shut-off notice. As of our last check, the agency's own page said utility assistance "is not offered at this time" and to keep checking for updates; the program has run in yearly cycles that depend on federal funding. Applications are online only and you must be the primary MLGW account holder, so check the page before you plan around it. | Shelby County resident; U.S. citizen or eligible immigration status; primary MLGW account holder; valid email address; income at or below 60% of state median (FY26 example: $32,053/yr for one person). Crisis assistance also requires an active shut-off notice and a household member who is 60+, 5 or under, disabled, military/veteran, or facing an uncontrollable hardship.Cost: Free | Check shelbycountycsa.org/utility-assistance for when the next program year opens. When open, apply online through the portal linked there. Seniors 60+ needing application help can call (901) 222-4200. |
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