Back to the community

Please readThis is a community space for sharing personal experience — it is not legal advice, and posts here are not from Lawma or your attorney. We strongly encourage you to post under an anonymous handle, keep questions general, and avoid posting private details of your active case. For advice about your own situation, message your attorney.

Finding resources

Behind on utilities, shutoff notice. Help?

CAj_ramos1 month ago

Power shutoff in 5 days. Behind $580. Any emergency programs?

3 replies

member-d6a2e81 month ago

When I was behind, calling 211 actually got me to a local fund that covered part of my bill. Took one phone call I'd been dreading for weeks.

newleaf20261 month ago

LIHEAP (Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program) covers exactly this. Apply through your state's program — most have an emergency-shutoff fast-track. Also call your utility directly TODAY and ask for: a payment plan, a hardship enrollment, and to delay shutoff while LIHEAP processes. They will almost always pause the shutoff once you've documented an application.

Lawma Moderator1 month ago

Call 211 — they can often route to LIHEAP, Salvation Army energy assistance, faith-based emergency funds, and your county's discretionary emergency fund in one call.

More conversations about this topic

How do I ask for a fee waiver if I can't afford the court costs?

2 months ago0 replies

Best government and community aid programs for single parents during a divorce?

1 week ago2 replies

How do I find free legal aid for my case?

1 week ago2 replies

How long does the SNAP application take?

5 days ago2 replies

Around the case

Other things people in your situation usually need to handle. Some are paid partners; some are free community resources — labeled clearly.

🤝 Community resource · We don't earn from this

211 · Local assistance

Local food, housing, childcare aid · Free · 24/7

A single phone number (or website) that routes you to local programs in any US state — food, housing, childcare, utility help, and more. Free and confidential.

Dial 211 →
🤝 Community resource · We don't earn from this

LSC · Find local legal aid

Legal-aid directory · Free · income-qualified

Legal Services Corporation directory of every nonprofit legal-aid program in the US. Most provide free representation for income-qualified clients.

Find your local office →
🤝 Community resource · We don't earn from this

NCADV

Coalition of DV programs · Free

The National Coalition Against Domestic Violence — national policy work plus a state-by-state directory of local member programs (shelters, transitional housing, advocacy).

Find a local program →

Add your reply

Share what helped you. Be kind — and remember this is your experience, not legal advice.

Share what you’re going through — your name stays private. Drafts saved as you type Alerts when someone replies Same handle every visitCreate a free account →Already have one? Sign in.Posts show under a community handle (e.g. member-3f8a21 by default, or pick your own). Your real name is never shown to other members.Are you a lawyer? Apply to be verified — verified lawyers post under their name + firm, and show up in the directory.

Plain text is fine. You can also make text **bold** or *italic*, start a line with “- ” for a list or “> ” to quote someone, or add a link like [name](https://example.com). Tap Preview to see how it will look.

Please readThis is a community space for sharing personal experience — it is not legal advice, and posts here are not from Lawma or your attorney. We strongly encourage you to post under an anonymous handle, keep questions general, and avoid posting private details of your active case. For advice about your own situation, message your attorney.