Can I win enough money to cover this?

Possibly, but it is a lottery ticket rather than a plan, and a bill with a date on it needs something more reliable. The assistance programmes above exist for exactly this and cost nothing to ask about. Enter a giveaway alongside them, not instead of them.

Does it cost anything to get help?

No. Every programme named on this page is free to apply to. Any service charging a fee to access government assistance, or to release a prize, is not one to use.

Need Money for Rent: What Actually Helps

If rent is due and short, the things that actually move money in days are assistance programmes and your landlord, in that order. This page covers those first because they work, and a giveaway does not.

Start with 211

Dialling 211 anywhere in the United States connects you free to a local referral specialist who knows which programmes in your county have funds available this month. It is run by United Way, it costs nothing, and it is the single most useful number in this situation because availability is local and changes constantly. You can also search 211.org.

Emergency rental assistance

Most counties and many cities run emergency rental assistance, often through a community action agency. Funds cycle in and out through the year, so a "no" in March can be a "yes" in June. Ask 211 which local body currently holds funds rather than applying blind.

Talk to the landlord before the date

A payment plan agreed in advance costs a landlord far less than an eviction, and most will take one if asked early. Ask in writing, propose specific dates, and keep the record. This is the highest-probability action on this page.

Legal aid if a notice has arrived

If you have received an eviction notice, free legal aid exists in every state and tenants with representation do markedly better. LawHelp.org lists providers by state. Contact them the day the notice arrives rather than the day before the hearing.

Where giveaways fit, honestly

A sweepstakes is a lottery ticket, not income. Entering costs a minute and might pay off, and it is fine to do alongside everything above. It is not a plan for a bill with a date on it, and anyone telling you otherwise is selling something. Never pay a fee to claim a prize, and be especially careful of anyone who contacts you about winnings while you are visibly short of money.

Questions

Can I win enough money to cover this?: Possibly, but it is a lottery ticket rather than a plan, and a bill with a date on it needs something more reliable. The assistance programmes above exist for exactly this and cost nothing to ask about. Enter a giveaway alongside them, not instead of them.
Does it cost anything to get help?: No. Every programme named on this page is free to apply to. Any service charging a fee to access government assistance, or to release a prize, is not one to use.

Open right now

Before you enter

These are paid listings, so the useful part is knowing what to check before you leave this site.

Named sponsor: A real giveaway names the company responsible for running it. If the entry page hides the sponsor or only uses a famous brand name with no company behind it, treat it as unsafe.
Official rules: The rules should state the prize, approximate retail value, entry period, eligibility, winner selection method and how odds are determined. Missing rules are the strongest reason to walk away.
Free entry: A US sweepstakes must be free to enter. No purchase necessary is a legal requirement, not a courtesy. Any fee to enter or claim a prize disqualifies the listing.