Organizations Offering Financial Resources
As you navigate putting your finances in order, paying bills and filing taxes, you might need financial help or to seek advice from a professional. Here are some organizations that can help:
Christmas Toys
USPS’s Operation Santa sends free Christmas toys to children who have sent Santa a letter by December 6.
The Salvation Army‘s Angel Tree program give free Christmas toys to less fortunate children. Click the “Find Help” button to find your local Salvation Army center, then contact them to receive holiday assistance.
Toys for Tots provides free Christmas toys to less fortunate children. To request a Christmas toy for your child, complete an application form that will be available on your local Toys for Tots Chapter website.
Hope for Widows Foundation provides assistance for the holidays to widows and their children through its Bring Hope Holiday Assistance Program. To apply, complete the 2025 online application by November 22.
Food, Housing, Healthcare, Financial Aid
211 is a non-emergency referral service for nationwide, statewide, and community resources and services for people experiencing food, housing, and financial insecurity.
Findhelp connects you with local, free or reduced-cost resources including food, housing, financial assistance and health care. Resources are provided by health systems, government agencies, nonprofit organizations and employers.
USAGov provides information on government programs that may help you pay for food, housing, health care, utilities, and other basic living expenses. The Benefit Finder tool helps you identify relevant government survivor benefits, including Covid-19 funeral benefits, housing, and education help, after you answer a few questions.
Pet Resources
Pet Help Finder helps you find affordable pet resources, including veterinary care, spay & neuter clinics, vaccines, pet supplies and pet food assistance.
Financial Planning
Wings for Widows is a nonprofit that provides free, professional coaching and education to help widowed men and women navigate the financial trauma experienced in widowhood. Their coaching sessions are provided virtually.
Goldman Sachs Ayco is a financial services company that walked me through the benefits available to widowed parents, such as Social Security, and tax breaks to consider. Their services are only offered as an employee benefit through corporate employers.
Savvy Ladies is a nonprofit providing free financial education to all women. It has a free financial helpline where you can submit questions and be matched with a financial advisor who will provide advice via private call.
The Department of Defense Office of Financial Readiness offers service members and their families free services from Personal Financial Counselors, who provide tools, education and face-to-face counseling to achieve financial goals and successfully overcome financial challenges.
The National Foundation for Credit Counseling offers consultations with NFCC-certified credit counselors, as well as education and solutions, to help consumers reduce their debt.
GreenPath is a nonprofit that offers free student loan counseling and general financial counseling, including credit and debt management.
These Financial Planning Association (FPA) members are providing free, short-term financial planning guidance to under-served communities, defined as low-income individuals and families, military personnel/veterans, domestic violence survivors, people affected by natural disasters, serious medical crises, bankruptcy, etc. Also, FPA of Orange County’s Certified Financial Planners are offering free, virtual, one-on-one financial planning sessions, as well as virtual webinars.
Tax Preparation
The IRS’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) offers free tax help to people who need assistance in preparing their own tax returns, including those who generally make $64,000 or less, have disabilities, or speak limited English.
AARP Foundation Tax-Aide provides tax assistance free of charge with a special focus on taxpayers who are over 50 and have low-to-moderate income.