Property taxes have skyrocketed in the last few years, making it challenging for low-income house owners to stay on top of this bill. Many homeowners across the country go through this issue alone, but most of them are unaware that there are charities out there that can help.
These non-profit organizations offer grants to help pay property taxes. Through these grants, numerous less fortunate homeowners have received help to keep their house ownership intact. So, whether you’re a homeowner needing help or are seeking knowledge about how these grants function, keep reading!!!
Here are 10 grants to help pay property taxes:
1. The Homeownership Preservation Foundation
HOPE is a non-profit organization that assists new and seasoned homeowners in avoiding foreclosure and other homeownership-related financial hardships. They help with property tax issues and can suggest that homeowners understand their payment plan options, loan modifications, or other forms of financial assistance.
They also counsel and educate homeowners on general finances to help them manage their finances efficiently and achieve long-term financial stability. To date, the organization has helped over 10 million homeowners with their housing and financial needs.
2. The United Way
This national nonprofit organization offers its services and supports less fortunate individuals and families with its hardship program for property taxes. While the organization does not have a specific program to help pay property taxes, some local chapters affiliated with the organization offer assistance with property taxes. They also help with other housing-related expenses.
The United Way collaborates with local agencies and organizations nationwide to provide resources and support to communities. The organization also operates a 2-1-1 helpline that connects individuals with local resources and services in their area. You can also get government hardship grants that provide funds to pay your taxes.
3. The American Legion
The American Legion’s property tax help for low-income homeowners has helped numerous veterans, military members, and their loved ones. They are the nation’s largest wartime veterans nonprofit organization. While they do not have a specific program to help with land taxes, some local chapters working with the organization offer assistance with property taxes and other housing-related expenses.
You can also get help with funds, which you can use in the form of help to pay property taxes. The organization administers a national emergency fund that offers financial assistance to veterans and their families during times of crisis.
4. Disabled American Veterans
DAV is a nonprofit organization offering services and support to disabled veterans and their families. They do not have a specifically devoted hardship program for property taxes; the local chapters it works with can offer assistance with funds to pay your taxes.
The DAV takes care of the issues incurred by disabled veterans and offers various services and programs, including employment assistance, benefits counseling, and transportation services. The organization also runs a national service program that helps veterans and their families access the benefits and services they are entitled to.
5. Modest Needs
Modest Needs is a nonprofit organization that offers immediate monetary assistance to individuals and families facing an unexpected financial crisis. They also offer short-term grants to cover various expenses, like property tax payments.
Modest Needs works differently than other non-profit organizations. It uses a crowdfunding model where donors can contribute to specific requests for assistance. The organization focuses on helping people who live above the poverty line but cannot qualify for traditional assistance.
6. Habitat For Humanity
Habitat for Humanity is a non-profit organization that builds homes and provides housing services to low-income families. They offer property tax assistance to low-income homeowners. You can check with local charities and organizations, such as Habitat for Humanity, to see if they offer programs to help with property taxes.
Local charities and non-profits offer property tax assistance to low-income homeowners. Property tax relief programs can reduce the burden on qualified taxpayers who live in areas with rapidly rising home values.
7. The National Council on Aging
NCOA is a nonprofit organization that provides various programs and services to help seniors improve their financial security and overall well-being. One of their programs includes grants to help pay property taxes.
The NCOA also provides a benefits checkup tool that helps seniors identify and apply for available assistance programs. The organization has been working since 1950 and has helped millions of seniors across the United States. Seniors can also get free government money to pay their taxes.
8. The VFW Foundation
The VFW Foundation is another nonprofit organization providing services and support to veterans, servicemen, and their families. They do not have a specific program to help pay property taxes; some local chapters may offer assistance paying property taxes.
The VFW Foundation offers a variety of programs and services, including financial assistance, educational scholarships, and mental health support.
9. St. Vincent de Paul
St. Vincent de Paul (SVDP) is a charity that assists with housing-related expenses, including property taxes. They also help low-income families pay rent, mortgage, and utility bills.
SVDP operates through a network of local councils across the United States. They offer a variety of programs and services, including:
- Emergency financial assistance
- Rent or foreclosure help
- Housing assistance
- Utility assistance
To qualify for financial assistance, you must meet eligibility requirements. You can contact the SVDP assistance line at 678-892-6163.
10. Veterans Affairs
Veterans Affairs is a wing of the United States Administration that looks after the seniors and veterans of the country. The organization offers help paying property taxes to seniors, those retired due to disability, and veterans compensated at the 80% service-connected rate. They offer this assistance not by directly providing the funds but via tax exemptions and deferrals.
Family members of the deceased veterans, specifically their better halves (widows), can also apply for help. You are required to pass the basic eligibility criteria to apply for the programs.
Key Notes on How to find and apply for property tax assistance
Being a homeowner can get a little tedious when it comes to paying the bills, including the property tax. You can apply for grants to help pay property taxes. To apply for these grants, you must find the right one and follow all the steps of the application process. Here are seven key steps that you need to follow to get the best for yourself:
- Go local: Look for local charities that help pay property taxes in your community. You can also search for organizations that offer financial assistance or aid programs to individuals struggling with financial burdens. You can look online or ask for recommendations from local community centers, churches, or social service agencies.
- Contact the charities: Once you have gained knowledge of all the available resources that can help you, the next step is to reach out to them. You can inquire about their programs and the required eligibility criteria. You can also contact charities offering grants to help pay property taxes nationwide. Often, these organizations have specific requirements or limitations on who they can assist, so it’s important to understand their guidelines before applying.
- Apply for Assistance: Follow the application process outlined by the organization. This usually involves filling out forms, attending interviews, and providing the required documentation. Both national and local charities have deadlines and often incur the issue of limited funding, so it’s essential to apply as early as possible.
- Provide Documentation: You must provide documentation demonstrating your financial need, such as proof of income, property tax bills, and other relevant financial information. Make sure to gather all the necessary documents to support your application.
- Be Transparent: When applying for assistance, be honest and transparent about your financial situation. This helps the assisting organization accurately assess your needs and allocate resources accordingly.
- Explore Government Programs: Besides non-profit organizations, there are government programs and initiatives designed to assist low-income homeowners who need help paying property taxes. You can reach out to local government resources and assistance programs that could provide relief.
- Consider Alternative Solutions: When you cannot find assistance from non-profits, you can explore other options for managing your property taxes, such as setting up a payment plan with your local government, refinancing your mortgage, or seeking financial counseling to explore different strategies.
Things to look out for while accepting property tax assistance
When you are in a soup, any help looks divine, and you’re tempted to grab onto it anyhow, but this kind of haste can have consequences. Similarly, you must be vigilant while accepting help to pay property taxes. Here are 3 things to look out for while accepting property tax assistance:
- Tax authorities and their hawkeye: Once you receive property tax assistance, you may fall under the scrutiny area of the tax department. This could result in an audit or other investigation, which can be stressful and time-consuming.
- Availability of funds: Property tax assistance programs have limited funding or eligibility requirements, making it difficult for homeowners to qualify. This means that even if you apply for assistance, you may not receive it due to a lack of resources.
- Probable impact on credit score: While it majorly depends on the type of assistance you receive, it’s possible that it could negatively impact your credit score. For instance, you take out a loan to pay property tax and cannot make timely payments. This could lower your credit score, and you can face other financial consequences.
It would help to consider these drawbacks before accepting help with property taxes. The severity of your situation can overpower the effect of these consequences. You must consider everything carefully before applying for property tax assistance. You must ensure that you fully understand the terms and conditions of the program and don’t hesitate to ask questions if anything is unclear.
People Also Ask
Property tax assistance is a relatively new concept for many, which often leads to a state of confusion for people who have landed in this situation for the first time. Here are 3 most asked questions answered:
How do I get help paying property taxes in California?
If you need assistance with your application or have questions about your eligibility, please call the California Mortgage Relief Program Contact Center at 1-888-840-2594 or email info@camortgagerelief.org.
Can I get help with property taxes if I’m disabled?
Yes, the government partially exempts disabled citizens from paying property taxes. This exemption provides a reduction of up to 50% in the assessed value of the residence of a qualified disabled person.
Do low-income homeowners get property tax exemptions?
The simple answer is yes. There are 2 ways through which you can get exempted from paying property tax – homestead exemption and circuit breaker exemption.
The Final Word
With rising prices of everything, it gets stricter every day to make ends meet, especially for low-income homeowners. Paying all the bills, managing the household, and, to top it off, paying all sorts of taxes – all this can get a little out of hand sometimes. This is why there are assistance programs for everything, including grants to help pay property taxes.
These grants allow less fortunate individuals and families to stay in their homes and maintain stability. While these grants are essential in alleviating the financial strain of property tax payments, it’s important to remember that they can only do so much. One must address the root causes of financial hardship so the family doesn’t have to rely on external sources to keep a roof over their heads.
