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 · 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. Bring Social Security documentation for the household, last month's income proof, and a current utility bill. Income limit is 60% of state median income — roughly $2,800/month for one person or $5,400/month for a family of four.

St. Louis City residents: Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis1408 N. Kingshighway Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63113 · (314) 615-3632 · Applications Mon–Fri 8am–noonSame program, city side. You can also apply online at mydss.mo.gov/utility-assistance/liheap.

More utility help

Heat Up St. Louis / Cool Down St. LouisHotline (314) 241-0001 · heatupstlouis.orgHelps with Ameren electric bills to prevent disconnection. County residents can apply online; Spire gas customers are directed to the LIHEAP agencies above instead.

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) 439-8306Online request forms for rent and utility assistance covering St. Louis City, County, and Jefferson County. 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.

If you get a court summons

Do not skip the court date — showing up matters more than anything else. Free legal help for tenants: Legal Services of Eastern Missouri, (314) 534-4200. And read our guide to Missouri tenant rights so you know where you stand.

Before you fall behind

Talk to your landlord early. A landlord who hears from you before the rent is late is far more likely to work out a payment plan.
Ask Ameren and Spire about budget billing — it spreads winter and summer spikes into even monthly payments.
Apply for LIHEAP even if you are not behind. Regular (non-crisis) assistance can credit your account and prevent the emergency in the first place.

Heads up: we verified the details on this page in July 2026, but hours, fees, and policies change. Call before you go.