Get through this month
Money is tight? Pick what's going on, and we put the steps in order. Real help never charges a fee to apply.
Shutoff notice, or no heat right now? Call the number on your bill today and ask for a payment plan. Then call 211.
We could not find steps for that link. Pick what is going on above, or call or text 211.
Electric bill from Mon Power? Call and ask for a payment arrangement. Keep any shutoff notice.
Water or sewer bill from MUB? Call and ask what they can do.
Got an eviction notice or a court date? Call Legal Aid of West Virginia.
Cost: Free. Some court filing fees may still apply.
Before you borrow from anyone, call the West Virginia Division of Financial Institutions and ask if the lender is allowed to lend here.
Cost: Free.
Call 211 and say what is going on. They can point you to local help.
Cost: Free.
Have a shutoff notice? Ask the state about Emergency Assistance.
Mon Power customers can ask about the Dollar Energy Fund.
Apply for SNAP (food stamps) on WV PATH to help buy groceries each month.
Cost: Free.
Apply for LIEAP heating help from the state when this season's applications open.
Call Christian Help to book free tax preparation, and ask for this season's dates.
Cost: Free.
Start over. Your picks are only in this page's web address. Nothing is saved.
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People who need health insurance for 2027 and do not get it through a job, Medicaid, or Medicare. Apply, renew, or change your plan at HealthCare.gov between November 1 and January 15.
in 32 days
Homeowners who are 65 or older, or permanently and totally disabled, own and live in the home, and have lived in West Virginia for the two years before the tax year. New applicants file with the Monongalia County Assessor between July 1 and December 1. Go to Room 335 of the county courthouse, 243 High Street, Morgantown, Monday to Friday, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, or call 304-291-7222. The Assessor's Real Estate page has the form and a link to file online. The exemption takes the first $20,000 of assessed value off your tax bill.
10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. in 43 days
Monongalia County households that need food. Go to the Old Mountaineer Mall from 10:00 to 11:30 a.m. on December 12.
Start with your heat, water or electric bill: Help paying a utility bill. It lists who to call first, with phone numbers and programs.
For any other bill, call the company and say you cannot pay in full. Ask what payment plans they have. If you are not sure where to turn, call 211, text your ZIP code to 898211, or visit wv211.org.
Keep any notice from your landlord or the court, and do not ignore it. If you have a court hearing or another deadline in the next 10 days, call Legal Aid of West Virginia at 866-255-4370 right away. Its help is free, though some court filing fees may still apply. For other help with rent, call 211 and say you are behind on rent. We are still building our housing page.
The West Virginia Division of Financial Institutions says traditional payday lenders are generally prohibited in this state. An online lender that offers one anyway is a warning sign. Before you borrow from anyone, call the Division at 304-558-2294 and ask if the lender is allowed to lend here.
Cheaper first steps: ask your biller for a payment plan, and call 211 about emergency help with the bill itself.
Christian Help, downtown Morgantown, offers free basic tax return preparation by trained, IRS-certified volunteers.
We have not found a trusted, sourced list of local rent, child care or pay figures yet, so we do not show numbers. We would rather show nothing than a guess. Know a public source? Tell us.
Watch for scams. No government program pays your bills for a fee. Anyone who asks you to pay to apply, or to pay by gift card, wire or crypto, is a scam. Real help does not ask you to pay it. Report scams at reportfraud.ftc.gov.
Call 211. It is a free West Virginia help line, open any hour. Tell them what is going on and they will point you to local help.