Fully free professional moving services for low-income families are rare, but several government programs and charities will cover pieces of a move: truck rental, packing supplies, labor, deposits, and short-term storage. A local move for a two-to-three-bedroom home typically runs $1,000 to $2,000, more than a month’s income for many low-wage households. The help that exists is partial, targeted, and competitive, so the practical strategy is to identify every program you might qualify for, apply to several at once, and expect the funds to be paid directly to your moving vendor rather than handed to you in cash.
Government Programs That Pay Moving Costs
Emergency Solutions Grants
Emergency Solutions Grants is one of the few federal funding streams that explicitly lists moving costs as an eligible expense. Under the program’s housing relocation and stabilization services, ESG funds can pay for truck rental, hiring a moving company, and temporary storage for up to three months while you transition into permanent housing.1eCFR. 24 CFR 576.105 – Housing Relocation and Stabilization Services The same program can cover security deposits, utility deposits, and rental application fees, which are often the hidden costs that make a move unaffordable even when the truck is lined up.
ESG money goes to local governments and nonprofits, not directly to families. You apply through a local homelessness prevention agency or continuum of care provider, and you generally need to show you are homeless or at risk of homelessness. Eligibility centers on housing instability rather than income alone.2eCFR. 24 CFR Part 576 – Emergency Solutions Grants Program
TANF Diversion Payments
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families is federally funded but state-administered, and each state runs it differently.3USAGov. Welfare Benefits or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Several states offer diversion payments: one-time lump sums meant to resolve a specific crisis so a family does not have to enroll in ongoing cash benefits. Relocation qualifies in some states, particularly when the move is tied to a job. These payments typically range from $1,000 to $1,600 and are paid to the moving company or truck rental agency rather than to you.
You generally need children in the household and a demonstration that the move will lead to employment or prevent homelessness. A caseworker assessment is usually required. Not every state offers diversion at all, so call your local TANF office to confirm whether it exists and whether relocation qualifies.
FEMA Disaster Assistance
If you were displaced by a federally declared disaster, FEMA’s Other Needs Assistance program can cover moving and storage costs along with other post-disaster expenses.4FEMA. FEMA Other Needs Assistance Program (ONA) The broader Individuals and Households Program provides financial assistance and direct services for uninsured or underinsured disaster-related expenses.5FEMA. Individuals and Households Program This is disaster-only; it will not help with a routine move. Families affected by a flood, fire, or hurricane should apply through DisasterAssistance.gov.
Uniform Relocation Act
When a federal or federally funded project displaces you from your home, the Uniform Relocation Assistance Act requires the displacing agency to pay your moving expenses. You can choose reimbursement of actual reasonable moving costs or a fixed payment for residential moves. You do not apply on your own; the agency running the project is legally required to contact you and provide the assistance.
A Note on Housing Choice Vouchers
If you hold a Housing Choice Voucher, portability lets your rental subsidy follow you to a new jurisdiction.6U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Housing Choice Voucher Tenants The voucher itself does not cover the physical costs of moving. HUD’s portability guidance tells families to plan for moving costs, security deposits, and living expenses during the transition as out-of-pocket. Some Public Housing Authorities have separate emergency funds, so ask your PHA directly, but do not assume portability includes moving costs.
Charities That Help With Moving
Modest Needs
Modest Needs offers Self-Sufficiency Grants of $750 to $1,250 to working households living just above the poverty line. The grants are designed for one-time crises that could push a stable family into poverty, and moving costs are a common qualifying expense. Funds go directly to the vendor. To qualify, you must be at least 18, a legal U.S. or Canadian resident, and have either an active bank account or a recent federal tax return on file. Applications are online, and Modest Needs may request supporting documents during review.
Catholic Charities and Faith-Based Organizations
Catholic Charities provides emergency moving assistance for people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. Local churches, synagogues, and mosques also frequently maintain charitable funds for community members in crisis, and a move triggered by eviction or job loss often qualifies. Availability varies dramatically. Some offices can write a check to a moving company that week; others offer volunteer labor or connect you with someone who can. Call the nearest house of worship and ask whether they have an emergency assistance fund or can refer you to one.
The Salvation Army
Salvation Army offices provide emergency assistance for rent, utilities, food, and transportation. Whether a specific location can help with moving costs depends on the chapter and its current funding. Some offices provide gas cards, cover truck rental fees, or connect you with volunteer help. This is not a standardized national program. Call your nearest office and describe your situation.
Society of St. Vincent de Paul
The Society of St. Vincent de Paul sends volunteer teams, called Vincentians, on home visits to assess household needs and provide emergency financial assistance. Their focus is preventing homelessness through help with rent, utilities, and other urgent expenses.7Society of St. Vincent de Paul USA. Ways We Help Some local chapters direct funds toward moving costs when relocation is necessary to maintain housing stability. Contact your local conference to find out what is available.
Domestic Violence Programs
Anyone escaping domestic violence can often access relocation assistance through local YWCA chapters and domestic violence service providers. These programs may include help with moving costs, temporary housing, safety planning, and material goods to start over.8YWCA of Western Massachusetts. Programs – Community-Based Domestic Violence Services The National Domestic Violence Hotline (1-800-799-7233) can connect you with local organizations that offer relocation support and help you develop a safe exit plan.
How to Find Local Help Fast
The fastest way to identify what is actually available near you is to call 211, the United Way’s nationwide helpline. Trained specialists make roughly 45,000 referrals per day, connecting people with local resources for housing, utilities, food, and other needs.9United Way Worldwide. 211 – Connecting People to Local Resources Tell the operator you need help with moving costs, and they will point you to organizations currently accepting applications in your area. You can also text your zip code to 898211 or visit 211.org.
Call multiple organizations at the same time rather than waiting for one rejection before trying the next. Many programs have waiting lists or limited funding cycles, and the office with money this month may be tapped out next month. Ask each one specifically whether they cover moving truck rental, labor, packing supplies, or deposits. Most will not cover all of these, so you may need to piece together help from two or three sources.
Documents to Have Ready
Nearly every program asks for the same core documents. Gather them before you apply:
- Proof of income: recent pay stubs (usually the last 30 to 60 days), benefit letters from Social Security, unemployment documentation, or a letter from your employer.
- Government-issued ID for each adult in the household: driver’s license, state ID, passport, or military ID.
- A signed lease showing the new address, monthly rent, and landlord signature. For month-to-month arrangements, a written statement from your landlord works for some programs.
- Financial disclosure: checking account balances and the value of vehicles or other assets.
For 2026, the federal poverty level is $15,960 for an individual, $21,640 for a family of two, $27,320 for a family of three, and $33,000 for a family of four in the contiguous United States. Alaska and Hawaii have higher thresholds.10HealthCare.gov. Federal Poverty Level Many moving assistance programs set eligibility at 100% to 200% of these figures, so a family of four earning up to $66,000 could qualify for some programs even though they would not qualify for others. Ask the specific organization what income threshold it uses before assuming you are ineligible.
Report income and assets accurately. Misrepresenting your financial situation can result in denial of services and potential legal consequences for fraud. Most organizations verify what you report.
What the Application Process Looks Like
After 211 or direct outreach turns up a provider, you will submit documentation through an online portal, by fax, or in person. Many organizations require an intake interview with a caseworker to discuss your timeline, the reason for the move, and the specific costs you need covered. Processing times vary. Some agencies can turn around urgent requests within days; others take several weeks depending on caseload and funding. If your move is time-sensitive because of an eviction deadline or a safety concern, say so upfront. Agencies handling homelessness prevention and domestic violence cases often have expedited review for emergencies.
Approved funds almost never come to you as cash. The organization pays the moving company, truck rental agency, or storage facility directly. That protects both sides and creates a clear paper trail. A caseworker may follow up after the move to confirm you are settled and to close out your case file.
Closing the Gap When Grants Fall Short
Even when you qualify for help, many programs will not cover the full cost of a move. A few ways to close the gap:
- Free boxes and supplies from Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, and Nextdoor. Liquor stores and bookshops often hand over sturdy boxes if you ask.
- Volunteer labor from neighborhood social media groups, mutual aid networks, college bulletin boards, and community centers. People will often help load and unload if you can handle the truck.
- Multiple trips in your own or a borrowed vehicle instead of a rental. Some programs that will not pay for a moving company will provide gas cards for exactly this purpose.
- Portable storage containers, which let you load at your own pace and avoid the hourly labor charges that drive up moving company costs.
Avoiding Moving Scams
Low-income families searching for affordable movers are targets for operations that offer a low quote, load your belongings, and then demand a much higher payment before unloading. For any interstate move, federal law requires the company to give you a booklet called “Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move” before loading begins.11Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. Protect Your Move If a mover skips this step, treat it as a red flag.
Before hiring anyone, verify the company’s USDOT number through the FMCSA’s mover search tool at ProtectYourMove.gov. Get a written estimate, either binding (price locked) or not-to-exceed (final cost can be lower but not higher). Never sign blank documents, and never pay a large deposit before moving day. If something goes wrong, file a complaint with the FMCSA.
Tax Treatment of Moving Assistance
Government relocation payments through need-based programs generally qualify for what the IRS calls the general welfare exclusion, meaning they are not counted as taxable income. The payment must come from a governmental program, be based on financial need, and not represent compensation for work performed.12Internal Revenue Service. Application of the General Welfare Exclusion to Indian Tribal Government Programs ESG funds, FEMA disaster payments, and Uniform Relocation Act payments have all been treated as excludable from gross income under IRS guidance. Charitable assistance from nonprofits is generally treated as a gift and is not taxable to the recipient.
Separately, the moving expense deduction for taxpayers who relocate for a new job was suspended by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act for tax years 2018 through 2025. That suspension expires for tax year 2026, so non-military taxpayers can once again deduct qualifying moving expenses on their federal return using IRS Form 3903 if the move is related to starting work at a new location.13Internal Revenue Service. About Form 3903, Moving Expenses The move must meet distance and time requirements. If you are moving for a job in 2026, keep receipts for truck rental, mileage, and storage.