Overview
A financial emergency can happen to any family, an unexpected medical bill, a job loss, a car repair that wipes out a bank account, a rent payment that can’t be made. For families already navigating disability services and fixed incomes, the margin for error is often thin. When a crisis hits, knowing where to call first can prevent a bad situation from becoming a catastrophic one.
This page maps the primary emergency financial assistance resources available in Benton and Franklin Counties, covering rent, utilities, prescriptions, transportation, and other one-time emergency needs. Because funds are limited and availability changes frequently, calling 2-1-1 first is always recommended to find out which programs currently have money available before making individual calls.
The most important thing to know: Emergency funds run out. Apply as early as possible, be specific about your need when you call, and don’t assume one “no” means no help exists, call the next option on the list.
Community Action Connections (CAC) — First Stop for Most Emergency Needs
CAC is the primary community action agency serving Benton and Franklin Counties and administers more emergency assistance programs than any other single organization in the region. If you’re not sure where to start, start here.
Programs that may provide one-time emergency financial assistance include:
- Rent and eviction prevention — emergency rental assistance and homelessness prevention funding
- Utility bill assistance — LIHEAP, SHEAP, and Helping Hands utility programs (see Utility Assistance page)
- Tri-Cities HOME Consortium TBRA — Tenant-Based Rental Assistance for income-eligible residents of Kennewick, Richland, or Pasco experiencing financial hardship and unable to pay rent, mortgage, or utilities
Important: TBRA waitlist is currently closed. Contact CAC to ask about current program availability and waitlist status.
720 W. Court St. (upstairs), Pasco, WA 99301
Phone: (509) 545-4042
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–11:30 AM and 1:00 PM–4:30 PM
bfcac.org
Salvation Army
The Salvation Army provides emergency financial assistance for Benton and Franklin County residents across a range of needs. Assistance is typically one-time and requires documentation. Call ahead to confirm current availability, required documentation, and appointment scheduling.
May assist with:
- Utility bills
- Rent or housing stabilization
- Basic needs (food, clothing, prescriptions)
- Disaster response and recovery
Intake requirements: Driver’s license, light bill, proof of family size. Bring documentation of the specific need (shutoff notice, eviction notice, prescription receipt, etc.).
Pasco location: 310 N. 4th Ave., Pasco, WA 99301
Phone: (509) 547-2138
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–5:00 PM
tricities.salvationarmy.org
Catholic Charities Serving Central Washington
Catholic Charities provides a range of emergency and financial assistance services for low-income individuals and families in the Tri-Cities, including housing counseling, emergency assistance referrals, and connection to community resources. Services are available regardless of religious affiliation.
2139 Van Giesen St., Richland, WA 99352
Phone: (509) 946-4645
catholiccharitiescw.org
Christ the King Catholic Church — Emergency Assistance Center
One of the most comprehensive church-based emergency assistance programs in the Tri-Cities. Christ the King’s assistance center provides limited financial aid and in-kind assistance covering a notably broad range of needs, more than most faith-based programs.
May assist with:
- Utilities
- Prescription medications
- Rent and housing
- Food and household goods
- Gasoline
- Clothing
- Furniture
1111 Stevens Dr., Richland, WA 99354
Phone: (509) 946-1675
Call ahead for current hours and appointment availability.
St. Vincent de Paul
St. Vincent de Paul provides limited financial aid and assistance for low-income individuals and families, including help with utilities, prescription medications, rent, housing, food, household goods, gasoline, clothing, and furniture. Two local locations serve the area.
Kennewick/Richland:
731 N. Columbia Center Blvd., Suite 114, Kennewick, WA 99336
Phone: (509) 783-7020
Pasco:
215 S. 6th Ave., Pasco, WA 99301
Phone: (509) 544-9315
Hours: Wednesdays, 11:00 AM–4:00 PM
DSHS Emergency Programs
Washington State DSHS administers several emergency assistance programs for low-income individuals and families, including:
- Aged, Blind, and Disabled (ABD) Cash Assistance — Monthly cash assistance for individuals who are aged, blind, or disabled and have limited income
- Pregnant Women Assistance (PWA) — Emergency cash for pregnant women not otherwise eligible for TANF
- Diversion Cash Assistance (DCA) — One-time payment to families with children to address a specific emergency and prevent welfare dependency
- Interim Assistance — Bridge support for individuals applying for SSI/SSDI
Contact your local DSHS Community Services Office to ask which programs your family member may qualify for.
DSHS Kennewick CSO:
1120 N. Edison St., Kennewick
Phone: 1-877-501-2233
Service hours: 8:00 AM–2:00 PM
washingtonconnection.org
American Red Cross
The Red Cross provides emergency financial assistance specifically for disaster-related situations including house fires, floods, and other sudden disasters that leave families without shelter, food, or basic necessities. If your family has experienced a disaster, contact the Red Cross immediately.
7202 W. Deschutes Ave., Kennewick
Phone: (509) 783-6195 | National: 1-800-RED-CROSS
redcross.org
United Way of Benton and Franklin Counties — EFSP
United Way of Benton and Franklin Counties administers the federal Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP), which funds local nonprofits providing food, shelter, and rent/mortgage assistance. United Way does not provide direct financial assistance to individuals, instead, they fund the organizations listed on this page (CAC, Salvation Army, etc.) to deliver those services.
If you are looking for emergency assistance, contact CAC or the Salvation Army directly rather than United Way. If your organization provides emergency services and wants to apply for EFSP funding, visit United Way’s website.
401 N. Morain St., Kennewick | Phone: (509) 783-4102
uwbfco.org
Faith Community Networks
Many Tri-Cities churches maintain informal emergency assistance funds for community members in need, not just their own congregants. These funds are rarely publicized and availability varies, but they can be a meaningful resource when other programs are depleted. Organizations worth contacting directly:
- First United Methodist Church — Kennewick: 2 S. Dayton St. | (509) 582-5765
- Richland Lutheran Church: 901 Van Giesen St., Richland | (509) 943-4622
- Pasco Riverview Seventh-Day Adventist Church Community Services: 605 N. Road 36, Pasco
If you’re connected to a faith community, ask your pastor, priest, or congregation leader about available assistance. Many churches maintain discretionary funds specifically for congregant and community emergencies.
Additional Resources
Washington 2-1-1
The single best real-time resource for emergency financial assistance. 2-1-1 specialists know which programs currently have funds available, including small church funds, community foundations, and short-term programs that aren’t listed anywhere else.
Dial 211 | wa211.org | Monday–Friday, 9:00 AM–5:00 PM (live); automated 24/7
findhelp.org
Search for emergency financial assistance programs by zip code.
findhelp.org/money/financial-assistance–kennewick-wa
3 Rivers Community Foundation
The Tri-Cities community foundation that manages donor funds and scholarships. Not a direct emergency assistance provider, but a good resource to know if you’re a nonprofit seeking funding to expand emergency services.
3rcf.org
Community Action Connections | Salvation Army Tri-Cities | Catholic Charities Serving Central Washington | Washington 2-1-1 | DSHS Washington Connection
FAQ
I’ve already called CAC and they’re not accepting applications right now, what do I do?
Call 2-1-1 immediately, they have real-time information on which programs currently have funds. Then try Salvation Army, St. Vincent de Paul, and Christ the King. If the need is rent-related and you have a court date or eviction notice, also contact Northwest Justice Project for free legal help at 1-888-201-1014.
Do I have to be a church member to get help from a faith-based program?
No. Most faith-based programs in the Tri-Cities serve anyone in need regardless of religious affiliation.
What documentation do I typically need?
Most programs will ask for photo ID, proof of residence, documentation of the specific need (shutoff notice, eviction notice, medical bill, prescription), and proof of income. Having these ready before you call speeds up the process significantly.
Does receiving emergency assistance affect my SSI or other disability benefits?
One-time emergency assistance from nonprofit organizations is generally not counted as income for SSI purposes. However, if you receive DSHS cash assistance or other government payments, those rules may differ, ask the program directly when you apply.
