Palm Beach County
Welfare Assistance Resources
A directory of rent, utility, shelter, and financial assistance programs available to Palm Beach County residents. Information verified August 2026.
IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER: Financial assistance, shelter beds, grants, and program funding can change or run out at any time. A listing here does NOT guarantee that assistance is currently available or that a household will qualify. Always CALL or visit the provider's current website BEFORE making decisions. For current local referrals, dial 2-1-1.
Showing 31 resources
211 Palm Beach & Treasure Coast
Live referrals for housing, utilities, financial assistance, shelters and other community services.
Palm Beach County residents and surrounding service area.
Call 2-1-1 or use the online resource directory.
Note: Best first call when you are unsure which agency has current funding or openings.
Palm Beach County Community Services — Emergency Rental Assistance
Past/current rent assistance; may include housing-stability help depending on active funding.
Eligible Palm Beach County renter households; current program rules apply.
Use the county assistance portal or call for screening.
Note: 211 has shown some rental/deposit programs as temporarily unavailable at times. Call first.
Palm Beach County Human Services — Emergency / Self-Sufficiency Services
Rent payments, utility payments, case management and other emergency/self-sufficiency support.
Palm Beach County residents who meet program criteria.
Call Community Services for screening and current availability.
Note: Services depend on eligibility and available funds.
Catholic Charities — Hunger Homeless Outreach
Rent, mortgage and utility assistance intended to prevent eviction, foreclosure or shutoff.
Palm Beach or Martin County households with a documented temporary economic crisis and ability to sustain future housing costs.
Leave a message for eligibility and funding screening.
Note: Funding must be available. Does not pay move-in costs or locate new housing.
The Salvation Army — Palm Beach County Area Command
May offer emergency rent and/or utility assistance through local programs when funding is available.
Households in need; eligibility varies.
Ask specifically about current rent/utility assistance.
Note: Availability varies. Confirm before relying on assistance.
Palm Beach County Community Action — LIHEAP
Help with home energy/electric costs to prevent disconnection or restore service.
Palm Beach County households meeting income/LIHEAP rules; special outreach to elderly and special-needs households.
Apply online through Florida LIHEAP or call the county.
Note: Award and availability depend on eligibility and current funds.
Boca Helping Hands — Utility Assistance (Electric)
Limited assistance for past-due FPL bills; power must still be connected when assistance is requested.
Qualified Boca Raton residents in crisis.
Call for an appointment and bring required financial/utility documentation.
Note: Case-by-case; processing can take up to 7 days. Deposits/reconnection fees are not included.
Catholic Charities — Utility Assistance (Electric)
Utility assistance to help prevent shutoff.
Palm Beach/Martin County households with a qualifying temporary economic crisis.
Leave message for screening.
Note: Subject to funding; first-come callback process may take days.
Palm Beach County Community Services — Water/Utility
Water/utility payment assistance may be offered when an applicable program is funded.
Eligibility depends on the active county program.
Call and ask specifically about current water-bill assistance.
Note: 211 has listed Low Income Water Assistance as temporarily unavailable at times. Verify current status.
Boca Helping Hands — Utility Assistance (Water)
Limited assistance for past-due water bills; water must remain connected when requesting help.
Qualified Boca Raton residents in crisis.
Call for an appointment; bring past-due bill and required documentation.
Note: Case-by-case. Deposits/reconnection fees are not included.
Catholic Charities — Utility Assistance (Water)
Utility assistance, which can include qualifying utility bills depending on funding.
Palm Beach/Martin County households experiencing a temporary economic crisis.
Call for current eligibility and funding.
Note: Funding can run out; confirm the specific utility is eligible.
Palm Beach County Homeless Services / Lewis Center Coordinated Entry
Central access point for homeless outreach, assessment, interim housing and housing referrals.
Individuals and families experiencing homelessness in Palm Beach County.
Call 833-442-9455 for referral; county also directs residents to dial 2-1-1.
Note: Do not assume a bed is available. Referral/assessment is required.
Adopt-A-Family — Family Division / Program REACH
Family homelessness assessment, diversion, rapid rehousing support and emergency shelter.
Families with minor children experiencing homelessness.
Begin through the county's coordinated-entry process.
Note: Program REACH placement depends on assessment and availability.
The Lord's Place
Supportive housing, street outreach, employment/training and homelessness services.
Adults and families experiencing or overcoming homelessness; eligibility varies.
Call and ask about supportive housing/outreach eligibility.
Note: Not every program is emergency shelter; openings vary.
Vita Nova
Supportive housing, education, employment and life-skills services.
Homeless young adults ages 18–25 in Palm Beach County, including former foster youth.
Contact Vita Nova for housing/intake availability.
Note: Specialized age population; housing capacity is limited.
Holy Ground PBC
Long-term residential housing and wraparound support.
Pregnant or parenting women ages 18–30 experiencing homelessness in Palm Beach County, with children.
Contact Holy Ground about openings and eligibility.
Note: Long-term specialized program; waiting lists may occur.
Family Promise — South Palm Beach County / Southeast Florida
Temporary shelter, meals, support services and stabilization for families.
Families with children experiencing homelessness; current intake criteria apply.
Call before going to a site.
Note: Available shelter space and program model can vary.
AVDA — Casa Vegso
Confidential emergency shelter and transitional housing for victims of domestic abuse and their children/pets.
Victims/survivors of domestic abuse.
Call the confidential hotline for safety planning and shelter screening.
Note: Do not travel to a presumed shelter address; access/location may be confidential.
YWCA Palm Beach County — Harmony House
24-hour domestic violence shelter/safe house plus advocacy, counseling, transportation and support.
Domestic violence victims in Palm Beach County.
Call for confidential help and shelter availability.
Note: Safety-related shelter access should always be confirmed directly.
Palm Beach County Community Action
Utility help plus links to other assistance, service centers and case-management resources.
Eligible Palm Beach County residents.
Call or use the county assistance portal.
Note: Ask what programs are open today; funding cycles change.
Boca Helping Hands
Limited emergency financial assistance and referrals, in addition to food/workforce programs.
Qualifying residents; some programs have geographic restrictions.
Call to ask which financial-assistance programs are accepting appointments.
Note: Assistance is limited and case-by-case.
Coalition for Independent Living Options (CILO)
Emergency rent and utility assistance; senior rent/utility assistance; disability-related independent living and advocacy support.
People with disabilities and qualifying families; some programs also serve seniors. CILO primarily serves Palm Beach, Martin, St. Lucie and Okeechobee counties.
Call and ask which rent/utility assistance programs are currently funded and accepting applications.
Note: Funding and program criteria can change; verify current eligibility before relying on assistance.
Ruth & Norman Rales Jewish Family Services — Financial Assistance
May help with mortgage/rent, FPL, water, homeowners insurance, HOA/maintenance fees, car expenses, medical needs and other crisis expenses.
Low-income individuals/families living in Boca Raton, Delray Beach or Highland Beach who meet program rules.
Request the Financial Assistance application through Rales JFS.
Note: One-time and limited assistance; specific grants have geographic, income, household and maximum-award rules.
Palm Beach County Housing Authority (PBCHA)
Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8), public housing and affordable/supportive housing programs.
Low-income households seeking long-term rental assistance or affordable housing; program and waiting-list eligibility applies.
Create an applicant-portal account to apply for available housing assistance or waiting lists.
Note: This is long-term housing assistance, not guaranteed emergency rent payment. Waiting lists may be closed or limited.
West Palm Beach Housing Authority (WPBHA)
Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers, low-income public housing/RAD units, housing counseling and related programs.
Individuals and families with limited financial resources; some properties/programs serve elderly or disabled households.
Check current open waiting lists and applicant information through WPBHA.
Note: Waiting-list status changes. Contact WPBHA before assuming applications are open.
Palm Beach County Housing & Economic Development — Housing Assistance
Foreclosure prevention, delinquent mortgage/tax/insurance/HOA assistance, emergency home repairs, rehabilitation, utility connection assistance, disaster housing help, and homebuyer programs.
Income-eligible Palm Beach County residents/homeowners; property and program-specific requirements apply.
Review eligibility and apply through the county Housing Assistance portal.
Note: All programs are subject to funding availability; assistance levels vary by program and household.
Faith Hope Love Charity / Stand Down House
Veteran supportive services, financial services, housing assistance, vocational support, and mental/medical referrals.
Veterans, active-duty service members and their families in Palm Beach County; program eligibility varies.
Contact Stand Down and ask for veteran housing or financial-support screening.
Note: Specialized veteran resource; specific financial or housing assistance depends on program capacity and eligibility.
Legal Aid Society of Palm Beach County — Veterans Advocacy Project
Free civil legal help focused on housing instability, eviction prevention, landlord-tenant disputes, housing discrimination and mortgage foreclosure.
Eligible Palm Beach County veterans, family members/caregivers and service members; priority includes unhoused or housing-unstable veterans.
Contact Legal Aid for intake and eligibility screening.
Note: This provides legal assistance, not direct rent cash; especially useful when eviction/foreclosure is the immediate problem.
Legal Aid Society of Palm Beach County — Rapid Response Eviction Assistance
Legal advice and representation for tenants facing eviction, including landlord-tenant disputes, mediation, settlement and eviction defense.
Qualifying tenants; Rapid Response Eviction Assistance generally requires income within 250% of Federal Poverty Guidelines.
Contact Legal Aid for intake as soon as an eviction notice or court case is received.
Note: Not a rent-payment fund, but can help prevent displacement or resolve landlord-tenant issues.
Legal Aid Society of Palm Beach County — Elder Law Project
Free legal assistance for housing disputes, eviction defense, public/subsidized housing, mortgage/reverse-mortgage foreclosure and related issues.
Residents age 60+ in Palm Beach and several neighboring counties; stated eligibility is regardless of income.
Contact Legal Aid and request Elder Law intake.
Note: Legal support rather than direct payment assistance.
St. Ann Place Outreach Center
Showers, laundry, clothing, food, assistance obtaining identification, mail services and on-site medical care for people experiencing homelessness.
Homeless women and men in Palm Beach County.
Call or visit the outreach center for current service availability.
Note: Not an overnight shelter, but useful for immediate basic needs and documentation while seeking housing.
Not sure where to start?
Call 2-1-1 for a live referral to whatever program currently has funding and availability in Palm Beach County.
Dial 2-1-1