Need Money Right This Second? What to Do in the Next Hour

If you have no money for food, medicine, gas or a shut-off today, call 211 first, then call the place you owe before its deadline. Free help often moves faster than people expect, and none of the steps below needs a credit check or an upfront fee. Take them one at a time.

Your First Hour, Step by Step

1. Make sure everyone is safe. If anyone is in danger or has a medical emergency, call 911. If the stress feels like too much, you can call or text 988 any time; it's free and confidential.
2. Write down what you need and by when. For example: groceries for three days, an inhaler refill by tomorrow, $85 to stop a power shut-off by 5 p.m.
3. Call 211 or visit 211.org. 211 is a confidential referral line run by local agencies. It connects you with food programs, bill help, healthcare costs and crisis services near you. It refers you to help rather than paying bills itself, so have your ZIP code, household size and income ready.
4. Call the company or office directly. A utility, landlord or pharmacy can often give you more time if you call before the deadline, not after.

If You Need Food Today

Enter your ZIP code in Feeding America's food bank locator to find the food bank that serves your area. Food banks are warehouses; the free food is handed out at pantries they supply. Call the food bank and ask which pantry or meal site is open today and what to bring.

Apply for SNAP the same day, even though it won't help by tonight. Households with very little income and cash can qualify for expedited service, which means benefits within seven days of applying. Ask for it by name. Our guide to free groceries covers more food programs.

If You Can't Afford a Prescription

• Talk to the pharmacist first. Ask whether a generic or a cheaper drug in the same class exists, and whether they can fill a few days' supply now and the rest later.
• Call your prescriber's office. Tell them you can't afford the refill. They may switch the drug or have samples.
• Use NeedyMeds. NeedyMeds is a nonprofit with a free database of drugmaker patient assistance programs, a free drug discount card and a helpline at 800-503-6897. You apply to the drugmaker's program directly, which takes longer than today, so use the discount card for the immediate fill.

Don't stop a medicine you depend on without talking to the prescriber.

If Your Power, Gas or Water Is Being Shut Off Today

Call the utility now. Ask for a payment arrangement and tell them if anyone in the home is seriously ill or uses medical equipment. Many states let a doctor's certification delay a shut-off, and some protect households in financial hardship during winter. The rules vary by state, so ask the utility what applies to you.

Then ask about crisis energy help. The National Energy Assistance Referral line at 866-674-6327 can tell you where to apply for LIHEAP in your area. For phone, internet and water bills, see help paying utility and other bills.

If You Need Gas or Bus Fare to Get to Work

• Ask your employer whether you can be paid early for hours already worked.
• Ask 211 about transportation help. Some local charities give gas cards or bus passes.
• If you can work a delivery or rideshare shift, instant cash-out can turn today's earnings into gas money tonight. See ways to raise cash in a few days.

Which Bills Come First When You Can't Pay Them All

The CFPB's bill-priority tool says not to pay whoever calls the loudest. Pay first what protects your housing and income, keeps essential insurance and meets court orders. Then call every creditor you'll miss, explain and ask for an arrangement.

Pay first	Why, per the CFPB
Rent or mortgage	Risk of late fees and eviction
Gas, electric, water	Service can be cut off, with fees to reconnect
What you need to keep your job: car payment, gas, childcare	Losing your car or childcare can cost you your income
Car, health and renters insurance	Going without puts your health and your belongings at risk
Child support, court-ordered fines	Missing them can have legal consequences
Usually later
Credit cards, payday and student loans	Late fees, credit damage and higher rates, but no loss of shelter or income

How Scammers Target People in a Hurry

Scammers know that people in a crisis decide fast. Walk away if anyone:

• Wants a "processing," "insurance" or "application" fee before giving you a loan. The FTC says no legitimate lender guarantees a loan in exchange for a fee.
• Insists on payment by gift card, cryptocurrency, wire transfer or a payment app.
• Texts or calls to say you have unclaimed money and asks for a fee or personal details. State programs don't text alerts and searching is free.
• Promises approval no matter what, before knowing anything about you.

Report scams at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. If a call or text claims to be from LendUp, check our suspicious communication tips before you reply.

When Free Help Isn't Enough

If you've worked through these steps and still face a gap, a small loan may be an option, but borrow only the amount you're short. LendUp is an online loan-matching service for $200 to $5,000; loans come from licensed lenders in its network, and approval isn't guaranteed. Our emergency cash plan walks through each type of emergency.

Frequently Asked Questions