Can't Make Your Monthly Payments? What to Do First
When you can’t pay everything, this is the order that protects you most
The CFPB’s own “Your Money, Your Goals” framework groups bills into two tiers: things you need for housing and utilities (rent, mortgage, property taxes, electric, water) — where the consequence of missing a payment is eviction or shutoff — versus other obligations like credit cards, where the consequence is a late fee and a credit-score hit. That’s a real difference in severity, and it’s a reasonable starting point when you genuinely can’t cover everything this month.
Real Miami-Dade resources, and their actual current status
211 Miami — 24/7 crisis referral
LIHEAP (“Light Bill Assistance”) — utility help
Be careful with rental and mortgage assistance — funding status changes
Before you consider a payday loan
Florida regulates payday lending — officially “deferred presentment” — through the Florida Office of Financial Regulation: a $500 loan cap, a fee cap of 10% of the amount borrowed plus a $5 verification fee, a 7-to-31-day term, and a rule against holding more than one loan at a time. Those caps limit the worst outcomes, but a short-term loan is still an expensive way to cover a gap compared to the resources above — check whether you actually qualify for a hardship program, LIHEAP, or a nonprofit counselor first.
After the immediate crisis: talk to a nonprofit credit counselor
Once the current month is handled, a free session with an accredited nonprofit credit counselor can help you build a realistic plan for the debt itself — the CFPB specifically distinguishes this from debt settlement or credit repair as the lower-risk starting point. See our verified list of nonprofit credit counselors serving Miami-Dade.
Frequently asked questions
Should I stop paying credit cards to cover rent?
If you truly can’t do both, the CFPB’s own framework supports prioritizing housing — but this is a short-term triage decision, not a long-term plan. A missed credit card payment is recoverable; an eviction or utility shutoff is a much harder hole to climb out of. Talk to a nonprofit counselor as soon as you can about what comes next.
Is 211 only for emergencies?
No — 211 Miami maintains a database of thousands of local programs beyond crisis response, including ongoing food, housing, and financial-assistance resources. It’s a reasonable first call whether your situation is an emergency or you’re just trying to figure out what help exists.
What if I’ve been turned down for LIHEAP or rental assistance before?
Program funding and eligibility rules change, sometimes month to month. Being turned down once doesn’t mean you’ll be turned down again — call 211 or the relevant county office directly to check current status rather than assuming based on a past denial.