Rent & Utility Assistance in St. Louis and North County
A bad month should not turn into an eviction or a shutoff. St. Louis has real assistance programs for rent and utilities — here is who runs each one, who qualifies, and how to actually apply.
Fastest first step: dial 2-1-1.United Way 2-1-1 (or 1-800-427-4626) is free, answers 24/7, and will route you to whichever rent or utility program currently has funds. Programs open and close throughout the year — 2-1-1 always knows the current list.
Utility bills (LIHEAP)
LIHEAP is the federal utility assistance program, run in Missouri through community action agencies. It can pay toward heating in winter and cooling in summer, and there is separate crisis money if you have a disconnection notice.
St. Louis County residents: CAASTLC2709 Woodson Rd., Overland, MO 63114 · (314) 863-0015, energy assistance (314) 446-4420 · caastlc.org · Mon–Fri 8–5Winter heating assistance opens Oct 1 for seniors and disabled households, Nov 1 for everyone; summer cooling opens June 1 and requires a disconnection notice. Serves St. Louis County except Wellston. Bring proof of income for everyone in the household (for Social Security income, bring last month's bank statement showing the deposit; award letters are no longer accepted) and your current utility bills; winter applications need both your Spire and your Ameren bill. Income limit is 60% of state median income — $2,840/month for one person, $3,714 for two, $4,588 for three, or $5,461 for a family of four (federal fiscal year 2026 figures, published by HHS and used by CAASTLC). The limits change every October 1, so confirm the current number with the agency before you assume you do not qualify. Missouri DSS also requires $3,000 or less in bank, retirement, and investment accounts, Missouri residency, U.S. citizenship or lawful permanent residence, and responsibility for your own utility bills; CAASTLC asks for full Social Security numbers on the application.
Heat Up St. Louis / Cool Down St. LouisHotline (314) 241-0001 · heatupstlouis.orgHelps with Ameren electric bills to prevent disconnection. City and County residents can apply online. Call the hotline to confirm what the program is covering this season; for gas bills, start with the LIHEAP agencies above.
Rent help
Society of St. Vincent de Paul(314) 881-6000 · svdpstlouis.orgNeighborhood-based volunteers help with rent, food, and crisis needs. Requests are routed through 2-1-1 or your nearest parish conference — you do not need to be Catholic.
The Salvation Army (Midland Division)1-800-SAL-ARMY · North County: Ferguson Community Empowerment Center, 9420 W. Florissant Ave. · (314) 439-8306Rent and utility assistance for the St. Louis area; call or check the website for how to apply where you live. Assistance depends on current funding, so apply early in the month. Evenings and weekends, call 2-1-1.
Deposit help: assistance specifically for security deposits comes and goes with funding. Ask 2-1-1 what is currently available, and mention it when you talk to St. Vincent de Paul or the Salvation Army.