How to get help with bills: Complete assistance guide
One unexpected emergency can wreak havoc on your finances, wiping out your savings and leaving you with piles of unpaid bills. Thankfully, there are ways to get help. In times of need, you can turn to charities, nonprofits, and Canadian government programs, as well as crowdfunding resources for personal financial crisis help. And if you’re in immediate danger of disconnection or eviction, there are emergency steps you can take. We’ve compiled the best resources that can help you understand how to get help with bills and get back on your feet.
Charities that help with bills
There are many charities eager to help out if you’ve fallen on hard times. Below are some of the most well-known nonprofit organizations in Canada that can help you pay medical bills or find safe housing.
Charities that help with car costs
For millions of Canadians, a reliable vehicle allows them to travel to work, visit family members, and go to doctor’s appointments. Without a car, everyday life can screech to a halt. These charities specifically help individuals and families get from point A to point B safely.
This faith-based charity organisation provides low-income single mothers with free refurbished vehicles to help support their independence. By providing these cars, they aim to help mothers pursue better employment opportunities and improve their overall mobility.
Rebuilding Wheels Rebuilding Lives program
This program run by the United Way charity gives low-income families in Windsor-Essex a one-time gift of a refurbished vehicle to break barriers towards employment.
This is an Alberta-based nonprofit that helps families pay for urgent car repairs so they can keep working and stay financially stable.
To find charities that help with these costs in your area, contact your local community center or church organization. You will likely need to provide proof of income, proof of need, and proof of employment to receive assistance.
Charities that help with medical bills
Even with both provincial and private insurance, many are left with expensive medical treatments. Without supplementary insurance, out-of-pocket medical expenses can be astronomical. The below charities understand this struggle and want to help eliminate overwhelming medical debt.
United Way’s 211 program helps people understand complex health care options by connecting them with resources on a range of issues, from disaster relief to health services.
This foundation provides financial and other types of support to Canadian cancer patients and their caregivers. They provide support for non-covered expenses such as prescription drugs and dental care related to cancer, as well as providing help with groceries, transportation, and more.
This organization runs the Medical Assistance Fund (MAF) Program that provides financial assistance to patients with Epidermolysis Bullosa (EB) to lessen the financial burden of non-covered medical expenses.
The Canadian Red Cross provides the Health Equipment Loan Program (HELP) to those who need health equipment during recovery from an illness or injury. They provide both short-term and long-term equipment loans.
Both patients and caregivers can receive financial support from most of the above organizations. If you’re not eligible or you need extra support, you can also turn to crowdfunding.
Charities that help with utility bills
A brightly-lit home and running water are conveniences that are easy to take for granted until they’re suddenly gone. Sometimes it can feel like you have to choose which bills to pay first, and those priorities can change with the seasons. Water is always essential, but heating becomes especially important in winter. Electricity keeps your fridge running and food safe. It’s also usually best to prioritize any bills where you’ve received a disconnection notice over those that are overdue but not yet at risk.
If you need financial help with utility bills, consider one of these programs.
This reputable organization’s HEAT fund helps families living in Nova Scotia with home heating bills during the winter season on a yearly basis.
Modest Needs has been working since 2002 to provide temporary financial aid to people in both Canada and the US who live paycheck to paycheck. The organization awards grants that can be used to pay for short-term expenses.
This organization can help with your hydro bill in Ontario by connecting you with local charities and community agencies. Similar support is available in other provinces through comparable organizations.
Charities that help with housing costs
Housing costs are typically one of the largest monthly expenses on the budget. If you’re having trouble paying that bill when the first of the month rolls around, or if you’re searching for a safe and affordable home, these charities want to help. Whether you are a renter or a homeowner and need emergency rent assistance or eviction prevention, you can find assistance here.
This volunteer-based organization not only builds and repairs houses for low-income families, but they also offer affordable financing options, such as income-based mortgages with a yearly income review.
This organization helps families, senior citizens, and new Canadian residents find affordable and safe rental housing. They provide help with applications for different housing programs along with mediation services.
This foundation provides grants to veterans who need emergency assistance with housing expenses like rent and utilities as well as food.
Government assistance with bills
Depending on your situation, government programs can be a lifeline while you get back on track. Federal and provincial programs offer assistance for everything from mortgage payments to phone bills.
Government help with medical bills
Whether it’s a trip to the emergency room or long-term chemo treatments, these visits can lead to hefty medical bills. While some costs are covered by provincial insurance, many more costs aren’t. There are, however, other provincial programs and benefits you can apply for. Before you apply, you’ll need verification of your condition from a doctor along with your medical receipts.
The following government programs can help you avoid financial difficulties due to medical bills.
Employment Insurance sickness benefits
These benefits offer up to 26 weeks of financial support if you’re unable to work due to medical reasons. You can receive 55% of your salary, up to $729 per week. You’ll need records of employment and medical verification to apply.
British Columbia, like many other provinces, offers a drug assistance program to assist with prescription costs that aren’t covered under insurance. Fair PharmaCare is for BC residents only, but other provinces offer their own versions of this, such as the Ontario Drug Benefit. Register online for these programs.
This tax credit reduces the amount of income tax those with disabilities and their caregivers have to pay. Those with severe or lifelong impairments can apply with certification from their doctor.
Government help with utility bills
It can be easy to fall behind on monthly utility bills, especially in the summer and winter months when the weather is the most extreme. Utility assistance in Canada is often provincial or municipal and run by local agencies. The following government programs can make sure you have a safe and comfortable home.
Low-Income Energy Assistance Program (LEAP)
This program in Ontario provides emergency assistance to those who are behind on their electricity or gas bills and face disconnection. Eligibility depends on how many people live in the household and the combined household income. Other provinces have similar programs.
Ontario Electricity Support Program (OESP)
Eligible families can apply for the OESP to directly assist with energy bills. The OESP will reduce your bills by applying a credit directly to the bill to reduce the amount you have to pay.
Canada Greener Homes Initiative
This government program helps low-to-median-income homeowners retrofit their homes in order to reduce their monthly energy bills. The retrofits are fully covered.
Government help with mortgage payments and safe housing
These government programs are designed to eliminate the financial barriers that prevent families from having a safe and affordable place to call home. Whether you need help with rent or mortgage payments or if you need emergency shelter, you can count on these programs.
This program provides a one-time top-up of $500 to help with rent for those eligible. This is administered by the Canada Revenue Agency and is a tax-free payment.
Canada-Ontario Housing Benefit
This Ontario-specific benefit provides financial assistance with rental costs for those in the private housing market on a yearly basis. Other provinces run similar programs.
This program focuses on immediate housing needs for vulnerable populations in certain municipalities.
If you’re at risk immediately, you may need assistance a little quicker. In Ontario, you can call Central Intake for emergency shelter.
Emergency government financial aid
If you need immediate assistance, there are several routes you can take. Each province runs its own Emergency Social Services (ESS) program to help with food, accommodation, family reunification, and clothing for up to 72 hours after the emergency or disaster. To contact these emergency services or other crisis intervention services in your area, call 211, and they can connect you to the appropriate organization. Immediate assistance in Canada is usually available within two days.
How to apply for government bill help
In order to apply for government help with bills, you’ll need to collect several documents:
- Proof of ID: Social Insurance Number, ID, and proof of residency (lease, mortgage, etc)
- Income documents: Bank statements, income verification, tax documents, asset information
- Proof of expenses: Rent receipts or mortgage statements, utility bills, medical receipts
Check the official website of the assistance you’re applying for to make sure you submit everything correctly the first time to avoid delays in receiving help. Then, it’s time to actually submit the application, which you can usually do either online or via mail. Government assistance usually takes about 28 days, or 4 weeks, to process, while some forms of social assistance may take only 2 weeks.
Using crowdfunding to pay bills
Emergencies like car accidents or devastating house fires can wipe out your savings account and leave you with bills for years to come. Countless people have launched emergency fundraising efforts through GoFundMe Canada when they didn’t know how to get help paying bills, whether they needed help with hydro arrears or rent assistance.
Crowdfunding lets you raise money from your friends, family, and community online. While some people aren’t sure if their need is worthy enough for an online fundraiser, there is no cause too small or too big for GoFundMe.
Why fundraising makes a difference
Most government and nonprofit programs have strict eligibility requirements, long wait times, and a capped amount of money they can offer. These factors often make it difficult to receive the financial help you need right when you need it. Online fundraising is often the quickest and most efficient way to conquer mounting bills and find emergency financial assistance. Through GoFundMe Canada, you can start fundraising right away and receive your donations within just a few days.
Setting up a GoFundMe takes just a few minutes, and we make it easy to share your fundraiser with people who can rally around you. We also offer a fundraising platform, which means you can keep more of your donations.
Tips for running a successful fundraiser
When you start a fundraiser on GoFundMe, there are a few different ways you can really make it shine.
- Fundraiser story: Once you’ve set up your GoFundMe and thought of a title and goal (which can be changed at any point), you need to write your fundraiser story. This is the place where you set out why you’re fundraising and why it is a cause that is important to you. Go into as much detail as you feel comfortable with – it’s these personal touches which may encourage people to donate. You can also personalise your fundraiser story with pictures and video.
- Share on social media: Sharing on social media is a great way to get as many eyes as you can on your fundraiser. Post on your socials when you’ve set up the fund, but also when you have any updates too. Make sure to utilise those family and friend group chats to get the word out there!
- Post updates: Posting updates is a really important way to keep your donors updated on what your doing, but also to keep your fundraiser looking active. Post an update each time you reach a fundraising goal, host an offline event or just have something you want to shout about.
- Thank your donors: This is a really important one. Make sure to say thank you to your contributors. You can do this through your GoFundMe account, or even better, by sending a personalized email or letter saying what their contribution means to you and your fundraising.
See how others use GoFundMe to pay bills
When unfortunate circumstances left them in dire straits, these folks found help through crowdfunding.
Support for Barb’s medical needs
Barb was diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer. Not only did the diagnosis completely upend the lives of Barb’s friends and family, but she also needed specialized medical equipment that wasn’t covered by insurance. So, Barb’s dear friend Susan stepped in to organize a GoFundMe. She raised over $6300 to go towards Barb’s medical treatment and other expenses so family and friends could focus on caregiving at home.
Support for Injured Father, Husband and Provider
Cameron Gifford was an active church and community member who loved and supported his family before he was involved in a serious snowmobile accident. The injuries he sustained landed him in the ICU and could have long-term impacts on his life as well as his family’s. Since he’s unable to work at this time, his employer, Minden Canadian Tire, started a GoFundMe fundraiser to help his family with bills while he’s out of work, and has successfully raised almost $40,000.
Help Abby Fight Multiple Sclerosis & Keep Our Family Afloat
Kirk’s wife, Abby, is battling Primary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis (PPMS), and her medical needs are growing each day. Kirk, a carpenter, was her primary caretaker, but his earnings alone barely covered their family’s living expenses. In addition, Abby’s medical benefits were about to run out. Kirk therefore reached out to his community for help and has raised almost $500 to go towards relieving their medical debt, paying for Abby’s treatment, and other household expenses.
Help the Finlaysons rebuild after house fire
Brandon Finlayson and his family suffered a house fire that destroyed not only the home that Brandon had built for them himself, but also all the tools and equipment needed for his work as a contractor. As a result, he became unable to work or provide for his family, and they had no home to live in. A fellow community member set up a GoFundMe for the family and successfully raised almost $35,000 to go towards rebuilding materials, replacement of tools and equipment, and helping the family regain independence.
Sarwar Khan & her son to deal with saving their home
Faisal Khan became the sole provider for his household after losing both his father and older brother, caring for himself and his elderly mother, Sarwar. At the same time, he was dealing with ongoing medical issues, and the stress of his situation made it difficult to secure stable work, especially as his vehicle required major repairs. He reached out to the community for help with utility bills to make sure they could keep their home while he looked for a new job, successfully raising over $9800 on GoFundMe.
Help Kerri Save Her Home and Find Her Stability Again
After her mother passed away near the end of 2024, Kerri was left managing a growing number of unpaid bills in her mother’s name, along with increasing pressure from debt collectors. As the situation escalated, she faced the risk of losing her home if she couldn’t repay her mother’s line of credit. To stay afloat, she reached out to the community for support with the line of credit, property taxes, utility bills, and more in order to save her home and successfully raised over $600 on GoFundMe.
Please donate to help fund my son’s dental bills
Melissa’s son was born without six of his tooth buds in his upper jaw, ultimately affecting the structure of his jaw and his sinuses. Not only did this condition make his confidence suffer, but it also caused sinus issues and discomfort during daily activities like eating and speaking. He has undergone extensive treatment to correct these issues, but they’ve been costly, and the next phase of treatment, dental implants, is not covered by insurance. Melissa reached out to the community for support to help her son smile again and raised over $700 on GoFundMe.
Help save Kali’s life
Fatima’s cat, Kali, suddenly vomited blood and was in a lot of pain. Kali underwent many expensive tests and was then moved to a separate hospital, which quoted Fatima another $3000-$5000 in vet bills on top of what she had already paid. She started a GoFundMe to raise money to cover things like an abdominal ultrasound, bloodwork, hospital stays, and more for Kali, and raised over $4000 in donations.
Support Toby’s Recovery & Emergency Vet Bills
When Tessa’s cat, Toby, experienced a sudden medical emergency, he required urgent treatment and spent 48 hours in the hospital, where he was diagnosed with a urinary blockage. After his recovery, Toby needed to follow a specialized diet to prevent future complications. The cost of emergency care, combined with ongoing treatment expenses, quickly became overwhelming for Tessa, a full-time student. To manage these unexpected costs, she turned to her community for support. Through her GoFundMe fundraiser, she raised over $4600 towards Toby’s care.
Find financial relief right now
Becoming debt-free doesn’t need to take months or years when you can start raising funds for bills right away through crowdfunding. If you still need emergency help with bills after exploring government and charity programs, GoFundMe can allow you to find financial stability. Me can allow you to find financial stability. Start a fundraiser today and begin focusing on what matters.