Many or all companies we feature compensate us. Compensation and editorial research influence how products appear on a page. Personal Loans Cash Advance I Need Money Today: Where to Turn for Immediate Support and Emergency Funding Updated Aug 28, 2025 8-min read Written by Timothy Moore, CFEI® Written by Timothy Moore, CFEI® Expertise: Bank accounts, taxes, personal loans, student loans, auto loans, budgeting, money management, home equity Timothy Moore is a Certified Financial Education Instructor (CFEI®) specializing in bank accounts, student loans, taxes, and insurance. His passion is helping readers navigate life on a tight budget. Learn more about Timothy Moore, CFEI® The costs of our most basic necessities—food, housing, and medical care—continue to rise, such that average Americans are struggling to keep up. All it takes is one emergency or unexpected expense to destroy a family’s finances. So what can you do if you need money ASAP, but don’t have it? This article includes resources for people who need immediate help with bills and basic needs, such as food, medical care, and shelter. The quick links below will help you find the best resources for your needs: I need money today for urgent bills I need money for medical care I need money for food I need money for housing I need help getting back on my feet Table of Contents What to do if you need money today Ask family and friends Use a cash advance to cover small bills Get a payday alternative loan (PAL) from your credit union Take a hardship withdrawal from your 401(k) How to get help living or longer-term expenses When you need money for medical costs Use Medicare to pay for prescription drugs Ask the hospital about a payment plan Apply for charity care for medical bills Consider crowdfunding for medical bills When you need money for food Visit a food bank for immediate access to food Apply for food assistance When you need money for shelter Ask for a mortgage forbearance Work out an arrangement with your landlord Use HUD resources if you can’t afford your mortgage payment Call 211 for help with rent and utilities When you need help getting back on your feet Enroll in unemployment Get credit counseling What to do if you need money today While payday loans may feel like your only recourse if you need money urgently, there are payday loan alternatives to consider—and most are safer than a payday loan, which can have an APR equivalent of nearly 400%. Here’s where to turn if you need money today instead: Ask family and friends Asking loved ones for money is never easy, but if you’re in a bad situation and need help, swallow your pride and start the conversation. It’s helpful to lay out exactly how you’ll use the money and how you plan to repay the loan. Just be understanding if the relative or friend says no. Use a cash advance to cover small bills Several financial tech (fintech) companies have developed apps that let you connect your checking account and get cash advances ahead of your next paycheck. The best cash advance apps often let you borrow up to $500. Some charge monthly membership fees, other apps may request tips, and some may technically be free. EarnIn earns the highest marks in our research, and provides a fee-free instant $100 advance to all qualifying first-time users However, these apps often charge a fee for instant transfers, which put money in your account in roughly an hour. Otherwise, it may take a few days for the money to hit your bank account. Using an instant transfer in an emergency situation may be worth a few bucks, but making this a habit can get expensive. Need cash urgently? Credit card cash advances let you use your credit card like a debit card at an ATM. Instead of withdrawing cash from your checking account, you’re borrowing from your available credit. Credit card cash advances are expensive. You’ll pay a one-time fee to withdraw cash, and credit cards often charge a higher APR on cash advances than they do for regular purchases. Prioritize repaying this as soon as possible. Get a payday alternative loan (PAL) from your credit union Credit union members have another resource they can turn to: a payday alternative loan (PAL). These small loans max out at $1,000 or $2,000, and the National Credit Union Administration caps interest rates at 28%. Approval and funding may not be same-day, however. If you need money immediately, apply for the loan, cover the payment with a credit card, and, once the PAL loan funds hit your bank account, use them to pay off the credit card. Take a hardship withdrawal from your 401(k) Conventional wisdom says not to touch your retirement account until you actually retire. But in true emergency situations, you can ignore that advice. The IRS allows you to take a hardship distribution from your 401(k), though the money will be subject to income taxes and potentially an additional tax for early distribution. Getting the money won’t be immediate. As with a payday alternative loan, you might need to cover expenses with a credit card, and then use the retirement funds to pay off the credit card once you receive the money. How to get help living or longer-term expenses Perhaps you’re not in urgent need of money today, but if you’re living paycheck to paycheck, facing mounting bills, or unemployed, there are resources to help you afford your most basic needs. When you need money for medical costs You can rely on a mix of government benefits and charitable giving to help with healthcare needs. Use Medicare to pay for prescription drugs You can apply for Medicare Part D (the Extra Help program), which is designed for families with limited income. The program helps with both deductibles and copays for prescription medications. Ask the hospital about a payment plan If you need an expensive surgery or visit the emergency room, but your health insurance won’t cover the total bill (or you don’t have health insurance), ask the hospital about a payment plan. The CFPB recommends asking for an interest-free plan and even negotiating the bill down. Apply for charity care for medical bills If you still need help after Medicaid and health insurance payments, look into charity care programs. You can usually apply for these through your hospital or doctor. The CFPB has a helpful guide to requesting charity care. Consider crowdfunding for medical bills Online crowdfunding lets you raise money for big expenses, such as surgeries or unexpected hospital visits. Friends and family can arrange these for you, so you can focus on your immediate needs. Just note that resources like GoFundMe take a cut of whatever you raise. When you need money for food Here are some options if you’re struggling to keep food on the table amid high levels of inflation. Visit a food bank for immediate access to food Research food banks in your area. According to Feeding America, anyone can visit a local food pantry or join a meal program. Apply for food assistance Food banks are helpful when you need food urgently, but if you’ll continue to struggle with grocery bills, it’s worth applying for food stamps as part of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Note that President Trump’s recently passed One Big Beautiful Bill Act will reduce access to SNAP over the next several years. When you need money for shelter Keeping a roof over your head amid rising housing costs is increasingly challenging on a tight budget, both for renters and homeowners. Here are some ways to get help with mortgage and rent costs. Ask for a mortgage forbearance If paying your mortgage each month feels too daunting amid a setback, such as a job loss or medical issue, ask your lender about a mortgage forbearance. If the lender agrees to a forbearance, your payments will be paused, though interest will still accumulate. Work out an arrangement with your landlord Similarly, renters can reach out to their landlords to discuss options for rent costs. A landlord may help you move into a cheaper unit or allow you to do work around the property to lower your rent. Use HUD resources if you can’t afford your mortgage payment The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) offers a number of resources for homeowners facing foreclosure, including access to a housing counselor. You can call toll-free at 800-569-4287 or search for a counselor online. Call 211 for help with rent and utilities Renters may not be able to contact HUD for assistance, but there are still resources available if you can’t make your rent payment. Start by calling 211 to discuss options for your rent and utilities. When you need help getting back on your feet After you’ve taken care of your emergency expenses and met your basic needs, start making plans to avoid issues in the future. Enroll in unemployment If you’ve lost your job, enroll in unemployment as soon as possible. Then look for local resources (specific to your city or county) to find employment opportunities. Get credit counseling Look for free credit counseling services offered locally or through the National Foundation for Credit Counseling (NFCC). A counselor can help you build a budget and make an action plan for tackling debt.