Gas prices have reached record highs in 2022, making it difficult for families to afford fuel for their cars.
For low-income households, high gas prices can mean tough choices between gas to get to work or food on the table.
Fortunately, some charitable organizations and churches provide gas vouchers to help ease the financial burden.
In this article, we will look at some popular churches that help with gas vouchers or cards for people in need.
Why Do Churches Give Gas Vouchers For Help?
Gas vouchers offer monetary assistance that can be used specifically for gasoline purchases. They work like prepaid gas cards or gift certificates for fuel.
Some churches and nonprofits receive donations they can use to provide free gas vouchers to individuals or families who apply and qualify based on income thresholds.
Others offer reduced-price gas vouchers that require a small copay from the recipient.
Gas vouchers provide targeted help for an essential need – transportation for work, school, medical appointments, and other important trips.
For financially struggling households, this gas assistance makes a real difference.
List of Churches That Help With Gas Vouchers
Here is the list of the best churches that help with gas vouchers. You can go for the one that you think is near you.
- Society of St. Vincent de Paul
- Mother Teresa Ministry of St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church
- Catholic Charities
- Love INC
- Corporal Works of Mercy
- The Salvation Army
- St. John’s Lutheran Church
- The United Methodist Church
While government assistance like SNAP helps with groceries and utilities, gas vouchers primarily come from local charities and churches.
Learn more about: How to get free gas cards.
Here are some popular churches that help with gas cards.
St. Vincent de Paul
The Society of St. Vincent de Paul (SVdP) is a Catholic organization that helps people in need all over the world.
To get gas vouchers from the Church of San Vicente de Paul, people need to show proof that they are having financial difficulties. SVdP conferences look at each case individually to decide if someone is eligible for help.
Gas Vouchers are generally given in amounts of $25 or $50 and can be used at local gas stations. If someone still needs help after a certain amount of time, they can apply again.
The gas voucher program is mostly supported by donations from Catholic church members, but anyone who needs help can get it, no matter their religion.
The Society of St. Vincent de Paul has conferences all over the country that help low-income families and individuals get the transportation assistance they need to get by.
Mother Teresa Ministry of St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church
The Mother Teresa Ministry of St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Stillwater, Oklahoma, offers gas assistance to needy people. This ministry also helps with food and groceries.
St. Francis Xavier staff also runs the Corporal Works of Mercy program to help people who need help with gas vouchers.
They also provide help with specific needs like temporary housing, meals, and some household items.
Catholic Charities
Catholic Charities provides social services across the US to millions annually, regardless of religion.
Catholic Charities offer gas voucher help in cities with limited public transportation, like Los Angeles, New York, Chicago and Washington D.C.
To participate in Catholic Charities’ gas voucher programs, you must apply and show proof of your income, residence, vehicle registration, and insurance.
If you’re approved, you’ll receive vouchers for a set amount, usually either $25 or $50, that can be used at nearby gas stations.
For example,
Catholic Charities of Northern Kansas runs a Gas Voucher Program in Salina and Hays Locations. The program provides $10 gas vouchers to those in need of transportation assistance within the service area.
Catholic Charities of Tompkins or Tioga offer help with transportation for school, medical appointments, or new jobs in Tompkins or Tioga. They provide bus passes or gas vouchers, which can be useful before receiving your first paycheck.
Catholic Charities of St. Cloud offers financial assistance for gas cards with appointments, valid licenses, and insurance.
Catholic Charities Maine provides $25 gas cards to help families get to medical appointments, work, or school.
Catholic Charities Fort Worth offers a transportation assistance fund providing gas cards.
Catholic Charities Atlanta gives gas vouchers for work transportation needs through their Emergency Assistance program.
Catholic Charities offers gas voucher programs to help people cope with rising gas prices. These programs are funded by charitable donations and serve to reduce poverty and provide essential living assistance, in line with the Catholic Church’s mission.
Love INC
Love INC partners with local churches of many denominations to assist communities. Some affiliates provide gas vouchers, particularly in rural areas where personal vehicles are essential.
Love INC may also connect families to other nonprofits offering car repair vouchers.
The Salvation Army
The Salvation Army is one of the largest charitable organizations operating in over 100 countries.
The Gas-For-Go-Getters program at the Salvation Army in Maryville, Tennessee, provides gasoline vouchers to job seekers. These vouchers help recipients get to job interviews, job fairs, and new workplaces while waiting for their first paycheck.
St. Paul West 7th Street Salvation Army also provides gas vouchers to needy individuals. They also offer Emergency Financial Services, including Rent, uniforms, car repairs, prescriptions, transportation, etc.
St. John’s Lutheran Church
St. John’s Lutheran Church in Madison, Wisconsin, offers an Emergency Outreach Program that provides gas vouchers to low-income and homeless individuals in need.
The program aims to assist with local transportation and help people get by with the little things.
St. John’s Lutheran Church also provides emergency help with identification, medical needs, moving costs, child care, automotive, and travel expenses.
The United Methodist Church
The United Methodist Church is a Protestant Christian denomination with churches across the United States. With over 13 million members, it is one of the largest mainline Protestant churches in America.
Local United Methodist churches and regional Annual Conferences often offer assistance programs for those facing financial hardship or poverty. This can include:
- Food pantries and soup kitchens
- Homeless shelters
- Thrift stores
- Disaster relief
- Bill payment assistance
- Gas voucher programs
For Example, United Methodist churches in Belleville, IL, operates a gas voucher program and offer free gas cards to needy people.
Other Organizations Offering Help with Gas Money
Apart from churches, some other nonprofits and government programs also offer support for gas costs:
- Local food banks – Some food banks provide gas vouchers to help clients get to the food bank for groceries.
- Catholic Relief Services – This global Catholic aid organization provides some domestic poverty relief, including gas cards.
- Lutheran Social Services – With 300+ locations this Lutheran charity offers emergency financial assistance with gas vouchers at some branches.
- Islamic Relief USA – This Muslim nonprofit provides emergency financial assistance, including help with gas costs.
- Jewish Federations – Local Jewish Federations often have hardship funds that can provide gas cards to those in crisis.
- United Way – Some United Way chapters offer gas vouchers, usually distributed through partner agencies.
- LIHEAP – The government’s Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program offers home heating/cooling aid. Some states provide gas vouchers through LIHEAP.
- TANF – For families receiving Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), some states augment the funds with gas vouchers.
- The Non-Emergency Transportation program – This program administered by state Medicaid departments provides free transportation for medical appointments for eligible recipients. For example, The Morrow County Non-Emergency Transportation (NET) Plan provides gasoline vouchers to eligible Medicaid recipients in order to travel to and from Medicaid appointments.
How to Qualify for Gas Vouchers from Churches or Charities
Each organization has its own application process and requirements to receive gas assistance. However, here are some typical criteria:
- Provide income verification, bills, and other financial need documentation
- Meet low income thresholds (often below 200% of the poverty guidelines)
- Submit an application for assistance
- Provide proof of identity, residence, vehicle ownership, and insurance
- Meet with a case worker for screening
- Agree to any required monitoring or volunteer service giveback.
The amount of financial assistance with gas cards/vouchers also varies. But recipients can often obtain around $25 to $100 in vouchers every few months.
Gas vouchers given by churches and charities help struggling families afford necessary transportation. This support is helpful for families who are barely making ends meet.
How to Find Churches Near Me That Help With Gas Vouchers
If you are struggling with gas costs, here are some tips to find churches near you that help with gas vouchers
- Call 2-1-1 United Way’s helpline to ask about local gas voucher assistance programs.
- Search online for “Catholic Charities [your city]” or “[your city] gas vouchers” to find local programs.
- Look for local churches with key terms like “Lutheran Social Services gas vouchers [your state]”.
- Check the websites of food banks or interfaith organizations in your area for gas voucher resources.
- Ask for referrals from social workers, religious leaders, and local nonprofits familiar with available aid.
- Search for Facebook groups like “[Your City] Assistance,” which share local charity resources.
- Check with Salvation Army offices, Catholic churches with St. Vincent de Paul chapters, and United Methodist churches, which often provide support.
Conclusion
With high gas prices, gas vouchers help families afford the fuel they need. Local churches and charities, such as St. Vincent de Paul, Catholic Charities, United Methodist churches, the Salvation Army, and more, offer gas vouchers and cards to those in need. These groups get donations and give free gas cards to people who need them.
If you or someone you know needs assistance with gas costs, Contact local churches that help with gas vouchers in your area. Ask about their voucher programs that help with gas money. Even a small $25 gas card can help you get to work, medical appointments, childcare, and other important places.
