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Behind on Rent? Who to Call First, and What Help Is Left in 2026

By CalculateBenefits Editorial Team · Mark Phaneuf, Publisher
AI-assisted source check: October 6, 2026. What these dates mean.

Call 211 and your local Community Action Agency first, then your landlord, and call free legal aid right away if you have court papers. The big federal pandemic rent fund has ended, so the rent help left now comes from local programs that open and close.

That is hard news, but local help is still real. Here are the calls to make, the words to say, and the papers to have ready. We are not a government agency. We can't pay rent or take forms. Each phone number here comes from an official site.

What happened to the federal rent help?

During the pandemic, the government sent billions of dollars to states and cities to help renters. It was called Emergency Rental Assistance.

The U.S. Treasury says time ran out for the last of that money on September 30, 2025. Local groups can no longer use it to help renters. Some state and local programs still use the name “emergency rental assistance.” Ask each one if it is open now.

The CFPB is a federal agency that looks out for consumers. It says state, tribal, and local groups still give out money to help renters. USA.gov says each state has its own rules for who can get help. If you apply, it may take several weeks for any rent help to come through.

Local money is tight. Colorado's state program, for example, says it has more demand than funds. It asks for an eviction paper and picks people at random. So call more than one place.

Who should you call first?

1. 211. Dial 211 from any phone, or search the 211 housing help page. 211 does not pay rent. It tells you which local programs may have money now. Say: “I am behind on rent in my county. Which rent help programs are open right now? What papers do they need?”
2. Your local Community Action Agency. These local groups get a federal grant to fight poverty. The federal health agency says these groups can offer housing, utility, and crisis help. Find yours by ZIP code with the Community Action finder. Say: “I am behind on rent. Do you have rent help or crisis help open now? If not, who should I call?”
3. Your landlord. 211 says to talk to your landlord early about a payment plan. The CFPB says a landlord may agree to split rent into 2 payments, drop a late fee, or take a smaller payment for a while. Renters often need their landlord's help to finish a rent help form, too. Ask to put any deal in writing, and keep a copy.
4. A HUD-approved housing counselor. Call 800-569-4287, or use the CFPB housing counselor finder. HUD says eviction counseling is always free. Not every counselor helps renters, so ask for “rental counseling.”
5. Free legal aid, if you have court papers. Type your address into the Legal Services Corporation finder. Legal aid is free for people who qualify, based on income. If you got court papers, make this your first call.

Are you a veteran? Call 877-424-3838. The VA says this line is open 24/7 for veterans who may lose their home. Family and friends helping a veteran can also use the VA's online chat.

How do you keep from getting the run-around?

Some calls lead to programs that are full or closed. A few habits can help you keep moving.

• Write down each name, phone number, and date you call.
• Ask, “Is this program taking forms now, or is it closed?”
• Ask, “What papers do you need from me?”
• Ask, “If you can't help, who else should I call?”
• Call back on the day they tell you to.

What should you have ready when you call?

211 says to be ready to answer questions about your home, your income, and the kids or others who live with you. Keep these close by:

• How much rent you pay and how much you owe
• What money comes in each month, and from where
• Who lives with you, and their ages
• Your landlord's name and phone number
• Any paper from your landlord or the court, like a demand for rent or a court summons

Some programs help only if you have an eviction paper. Colorado's program lists papers like a demand for rent or a court summons. Ask each program what it needs before you go.

What should you do if you got court papers?

Do not ignore them. The CFPB says too many renters give up before they get a chance to go to court. It says answering the case and going to court are key steps.

1. Call free legal aid right away. The CFPB says not to wait to talk with a lawyer.
2. Call the court clerk. The CFPB says you can ask if there is a court date yet, how long you have to file an answer, and if the court offers mediation.
3. If you applied for rent help, say so in your written answer to the court. The CFPB says the judge may delay or drop the case because you are trying to get help.
4. If the court rules against you, ask the judge or clerk if the order can be put on hold while your rent help form is checked.

Rules are not the same in each state. The CFPB says legal aid and housing counselors can help you learn the rules where you live. We can't give legal advice.

What help frees up money for rent?

Help with other bills can leave more cash for rent.

• Heat and power: Call the energy help line at 866-674-6327. Our LIHEAP guide shows how to apply.
• Food: SNAP can help you buy food. See how SNAP works.
• Local cash help: Some counties have cash help for adults. Read our General Assistance guide.
• One-time help: Our hardship grants guide shows which kinds are real.

Need a cheaper place for the long run? See our housing steps to try when the Section 8 list is closed.

How do you spot a rent help scam?

The FTC says scammers may call, email, or text to say you can get money for rent. Some say they can get you legal help to stop an eviction. Then they ask for money up front or your private details. Those are sure signs of a scam.

• Never give your Social Security, bank, or card number to someone who reached out to you.
• Don't pay with a gift card, wire, crypto, or a payment app to anyone who says they are with the government.
• The FTC says government agencies will never call, email, or text to ask for money or private details.
• Look up the program's phone number yourself, on its own site.

Report a scam at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. Colorado's program says it is free and will never ask you to pay to apply.

Programs mentioned in this guide