Free Moving Assistance: How to Get Help With Moving Costs in the U.S.

1. HUD-funded programs may pay moving costs if you are homeless or at risk of homelessness

One of the most important resources to know about is HUD’s Emergency Solutions Grants (ESG) program.

HUD provides ESG funding to states and local governments, which in turn fund organizations helping people who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. Assistance can include emergency shelter, rental assistance, and housing relocation and stabilization services.

And “relocation” can literally include the cost of moving.

HUD rules allow qualifying ESG programs to pay moving-related expenses such as:

Truck rental, hiring a moving company, and certain temporary storage costs.

Temporary storage can generally be covered for up to three months when it meets the program’s requirements.

That makes ESG important for someone who already knows where they are going but cannot afford to physically get their belongings there.

Can you apply to HUD for free movers?

Usually, no.

HUD distributes the funding. Assistance is provided locally through cities, counties, and nonprofit organizations, and availability depends on your location and circumstances.

Start with 211 or use HUD’s homelessness resources to locate a local homeless-services provider. HUD specifically directs people seeking homelessness assistance to 211 and local providers.

When speaking with an agency, ask specifically whether it has ESG rapid rehousing or homelessness-prevention funds that can cover moving costs.

2. Moving assistance after an eviction

Being evicted does not automatically qualify someone for a free moving company.

However, an eviction that leaves you homeless, or at imminent risk of homelessness, can make you eligible for programs that would not otherwise be available.

This is where HUD-funded homelessness-prevention programs can be really useful.

Depending on the local program and your eligibility, assistance may include the moving company or truck, temporary storage, security deposit, rent, or utility-related costs needed to establish new housing.

HUD’s ESG program specifically includes housing relocation and stabilization services for eligible individuals and families who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.

The important thing is to ask for help before the move whenever possible.

Many assistance programs cannot reimburse expenses that you have already paid.

Tell the agency:

• when you must leave your current home
• whether you have received an eviction notice or court order
• where you will be staying next
• your household income
• whether children are involved
• and what specific expense is preventing you from moving

If one organization cannot help, ask it for a referral rather than ending the call. Local agencies often know which other programs still have funding.

For tips on how to relocate as cheaply as possible, check out our guide on the cheapest ways to move home.

3. Free moving services for domestic violence survivors

A person leaving an abusive household may have somewhere safe to go but no practical way to move their belongings.

There are moving companies and domestic-violence organizations that specifically help in these situations.

College HUNKS Safe Moves, Strong Voices

College HUNKS Hauling Junk & Moving operates one of the clearest moving-assistance programs we found.

Through its domestic-violence initiative, the company works with shelters and social workers to help survivors move out of unsafe homes.

During Domestic Violence Awareness Month in October, it offers free or heavily discounted moves, and the company says it continues providing moving assistance to survivors throughout the year.

There is an important detail, though:

The safest way to arrange the move is through a local domestic-violence shelter.

College HUNKS asks survivors to contact their local shelter, which can coordinate the request with the company.

That system also helps keep the survivor’s location and moving plans confidential.

Start with a local domestic violence advocate

If College HUNKS isn’t available where you live, don’t assume that no help exists.

The National Domestic Violence Hotline maintains a directory of local providers offering services including emergency shelter, financial assistance, counseling, and legal advocacy.

A local shelter may also have relationships with moving companies that donate moves in that particular city.

This is important because some of the best domestic-violence moving programs are local rather than national, and they can change over time.

Crime-victim compensation may also help

Domestic violence survivors and other victims of crime should also check their state’s crime victim compensation program.

Every state receives federal Victims of Crime Act funding supporting victim assistance and compensation programs. The exact expenses covered and eligibility requirements vary considerably by state.

Not every state will pay moving costs, but some state and local victim programs provide relocation or emergency assistance.

Ask specifically:

“Does the victim compensation program cover relocation or moving expenses in my situation?”

The federal Office for Victims of Crime has a state-by-state directory where you can find your state’s compensation program and victim-service providers.

Keeping your move secret can be a real concern in these situations, so we have put some tips together to help you move without anyone knowing.

4. What if you need to escape domestic violence with a pet?

Pets can make an emergency move much more difficult.

A shelter may have room for a survivor and their children but may not be able to accommodate pets.

RedRover’s Safe Escape program can help with temporary pet boarding in domestic-violence situations.

The program primarily pays for up to 45 days of pet boarding while a survivor is staying in a domestic-violence shelter.

Certain related expenses, such as vaccinations required for boarding, may also be considered. Applications must normally be submitted by a domestic-violence advocate on behalf of the survivor.

RedRover reported that its Safe Escape program helped 297 animals and funded 7,895 nights of boarding during 2025.

It isn’t a household moving service, but it can remove a major obstacle that prevents a survivor from leaving.

5. Free moving assistance for people experiencing homelessness

If you are currently homeless, or will become homeless if you cannot complete your move, contact your local homelessness-response system.

USAGov recommends contacting HUD’s local homelessness resources, a Continuum of Care provider, a local public housing agency, or 211.

These organizations may help with much more than finding a shelter.

Depending on the program and available funding, housing assistance can involve locating an apartment, dealing with landlords, short-term rental assistance, deposits, and actual relocation expenses.

Again, use the words moving costs and relocation assistance when speaking with the caseworker.

If you already have a destination, say so. A program may find it considerably easier to pay for a truck that gets a family into stable housing than to solve the much larger problem of finding housing from scratch.

6. Free moving and housing assistance for veterans

Veterans who are homeless, or at risk of becoming homeless, have a separate network of assistance through the Department of Veterans Affairs.

The best starting point is the National Call Center for Homeless Veterans: 877-424-3838.

The service is free, confidential, and available 24/7. VA counselors can connect veterans with local housing and support programs.

Programs include Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF), HUD-VASH, and other VA homelessness services.

Depending on the veteran’s situation, assistance can include short- and long-term rental assistance, housing support, case management, and other services designed to help the veteran obtain or maintain stable housing.

In August 2026, the VA announced a $29 million fund authorized to provide eligible homeless veterans and certain HUD-VASH participants with emergency goods and services and transportation. The permitted transportation can include trips needed to search for housing or employment, and to access essential supplies and services.

That does not mean every veteran is entitled to a free household move, but veterans who need to relocate should contact the VA before paying the expense themselves.

7. FEMA may pay moving and storage expenses after a disaster

If you need to move because your home was damaged in a federally declared disaster, check FEMA assistance before assuming you must pay for everything yourself.

FEMA’s Individual Assistance programs can cover certain moving and storage expenses related to a disaster.

For example, FEMA may provide money to move and store essential personal property from a damaged home to prevent further damage. Assistance can apply while the home is being repaired or while the household is moving to another place because of the disaster.

Eligibility is not automatic. Generally, the expense must result from the declared disaster, involve a qualifying primary residence or essential personal property, and not already be covered by another source such as insurance.

Keep receipts, moving-company invoices, storage agreements, and proof of payment.

If a hurricane, wildfire, tornado, flood, or other disaster caused the move, apply for disaster assistance first and specifically report your moving and storage expenses.

8. Medicaid may cover moving expenses for some people with disabilities

This option is much more specific, but for the right person it can be extremely valuable.

Medicaid’s Money Follows the Person (MFP) program helps eligible people move from institutional settings, such as nursing facilities, back into community living.

CMS says MFP has helped thousands of older adults and people with disabilities transition from institutions into the community. Participating programs can invest in one-time transition costs and other services needed to establish a home.

Medicaid’s rules for Community Transition Services can include essential household furnishings, security deposits, utility setup costs, and moving expenses when they are necessary for the transition and included in the person’s service plan.

This is not general moving assistance for anyone receiving Medicaid.

It is primarily for eligible people moving from an institutional or provider-operated setting into a private home or apartment.

Availability and program rules vary by state.

People with disabilities who are unsure where to start can also contact the Administration for Community Living’s Disability Information and Access Line (DIAL) at 888-677-1199 for help finding local community resources.

9. Moving help for seniors

There is no universal federal “free movers for seniors” program, but that doesn’t mean assistance isn’t available.

The best national starting point is the Eldercare Locator, a public service of the U.S. Administration for Community Living.

You can call 800-677-1116 to be connected with services for older adults in your community.

Local Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) coordinate services for older adults and can connect families with local resources. The exact assistance available varies by area.

For an older adult moving out of a nursing facility or another institutional setting, also ask about Medicaid transition programs such as Money Follows the Person.

Area Agencies on Aging, Aging and Disability Resource Centers, and Centers for Independent Living are among the organizations that may assist people transitioning back into the community.   

When calling, explain whether you need physical moving labor, transportation, help finding accessible housing, financial help with the move, or all of the above.

10. Free transportation for runaway and homeless youth

The National Runaway Safeline provides confidential assistance to young people who have run away or are experiencing housing instability. USAGov notes that the organization can also provide free transportation home or to another safe, stable housing situation.

The National Runaway Safeline can be reached at 1-800-RUNAWAY (1-800-786-2929).

This is transportation for the young person rather than a free household moving company, but in an emergency it may solve the most important part of the move: getting somewhere safe.

11. Ask local charities and community organizations

Many emergency moving arrangements happen locally through charities, churches, shelters, community action agencies, mutual-aid organizations, and nonprofit housing providers.

The organization may not advertise “free moving.”

Instead, it may have a small emergency-assistance fund, volunteers with pickup trucks, donated moving-company hours, or money that can be used for transportation.

This is another reason 211 is so useful. A Google search may never show a $300 emergency relocation fund offered only to residents of one county.

When calling a local organization, be specific:

“I already have somewhere to move. What I can’t afford is the $350 truck/moving cost. Is there any emergency assistance that can pay that expense?”

A precise request is much easier for an agency to evaluate than simply asking whether it can “help me move.”

Moving on your own to a new place can be challenging. In How to Move alone, we look at the challenges and solutions you may face.

Free moving assistance by state

Moving assistance is extremely local. Two people living in the same state, but in different counties, may have access to completely different programs.

For that reason, the table below is designed as a starting point, not a promise of benefits.

In every state, there are three routes worth checking:

• 211: for local housing, homelessness prevention, transportation, emergency financial assistance, and nonprofit programs.
• Local HUD-funded homelessness services: particularly important if you are homeless, being evicted, or at risk of becoming homeless. Some ESG-funded programs can pay eligible moving-company, truck-rental, and temporary-storage expenses.
• State victim assistance and compensation: particularly important when the move is connected to domestic violence, assault, stalking, or another crime. Every state has a VOCA-supported victim compensation system, although the expenses covered vary by state.

The national 211 network operates through more than 200 local agencies and connects people with local help for needs including housing and transportation. You can dial 211 or search for the local 211 serving your ZIP code.

State	Where to start	If violence or crime caused the move	What to ask about
Alabama	Call 211 and ask for local homelessness-prevention or emergency relocation programs	Alabama victim assistance/compensation program	ESG moving costs, emergency financial assistance, domestic-violence relocation
Alaska	Call 211 and ask for housing and transportation assistance in your community	Alaska victim assistance/compensation program	Emergency relocation, transportation, shelter, and moving assistance
Arizona	Call 211 and ask for local rapid-rehousing or homelessness-prevention programs	Arizona Criminal Justice Commission Crime Victim Services	Moving costs, security deposits, domestic-violence relocation, and emergency housing
Arkansas	Call 211 and ask for local housing-stabilization assistance	Arkansas victim assistance/compensation program	Truck rental, moving help, deposits, and emergency relocation
California	Call 211 and ask specifically for homelessness-prevention and relocation assistance in your county	California victim compensation/victim-services programs	Moving expenses, domestic-violence relocation, ESG assistance, and local donated moves
Colorado	Call 211 and ask for your county’s homelessness-prevention providers	Colorado victim assistance/compensation program	Emergency moving costs, transportation, deposits, and safe relocation
Connecticut	Call 211 for local housing and emergency assistance programs	Connecticut victim assistance/compensation program	Housing stabilization, movers or truck rental, storage, and DV relocation
Delaware	Call 211 and request housing-relocation resources	Delaware victim assistance/compensation program	Emergency moving assistance, deposits, homelessness prevention, and transportation
Florida	Call 211 and ask which local agency administers homelessness-prevention or rapid-rehousing assistance	Florida victim compensation/victim-services program	Moving costs, disaster-related assistance, DV relocation, and storage
Georgia	Call 211 and ask for emergency housing and relocation programs	Georgia victim assistance/compensation program	Moving-company costs, truck rental, domestic-violence assistance, and deposits
Hawaii	Call 211 and ask for housing-stability and emergency transportation resources	Hawaii victim assistance/compensation program	Relocation, homelessness prevention, transportation, and disaster assistance
Idaho	Call 211 and request local emergency housing or moving-cost assistance	Idaho victim assistance/compensation program	ESG relocation expenses, emergency financial help, and DV relocation
Illinois	Call 211 and ask for homelessness-prevention assistance in your county	Illinois victim assistance/compensation program	Movers, truck rental, temporary storage, security deposits, and DV relocation
Indiana	Call 211 and request local housing-stabilization programs	Indiana victim assistance/compensation program	Moving costs, housing deposits, emergency relocation, and transportation
Iowa	Call 211 and ask for local homelessness-prevention and community-action resources	Iowa victim assistance/compensation program	Moving expenses, truck rental, deposits, and emergency housing
Kansas	Call 211 and ask for rapid-rehousing or homelessness-prevention providers	Kansas victim assistance/compensation program	Moving assistance, emergency transportation, and domestic-violence relocation
Kentucky	Call 211 and request housing-relocation and emergency assistance programs	Kentucky victim assistance/compensation program	Truck rental, movers, housing stabilization, and DV relocation
Louisiana	Call 211 and ask about housing-stability and disaster-recovery resources	Louisiana victim assistance/compensation program	Disaster moving/storage expenses, ESG assistance, and emergency relocation
Maine	Call 211 and ask for emergency housing and transportation programs	Maine victim assistance/compensation program	Moving costs, temporary storage, deposits, and victim relocation
Maryland	Call 211 and request local homelessness-prevention and housing-stability services	Maryland victim assistance/compensation program	Moving assistance, deposits, transportation, and domestic-violence relocation
Massachusetts	Call 211 and ask for local housing-stabilization and emergency financial-assistance programs	Massachusetts victim assistance/compensation program	Moving expenses, housing costs, DV relocation, and emergency shelter
Michigan	Call 211 and ask for local housing and relocation assistance	Michigan victim assistance/compensation program	Movers, truck rental, storage, deposits, and emergency relocation
Minnesota	Call 211 and ask which local organization handles homelessness prevention	Minnesota victim assistance/compensation program	Moving expenses, short-term housing help, and DV relocation
Mississippi	Call 211 and request local emergency housing resources	Mississippi victim assistance/compensation program	Relocation, moving costs, transportation, and disaster assistance
Missouri	Call 211 and ask for local homelessness-prevention or rapid-rehousing services	Missouri victim assistance/compensation program	Truck rental, moving assistance, deposits, and victim relocation
Montana	Call 211 and request housing and emergency transportation resources	Montana victim assistance/compensation program	Moving help, homelessness prevention, emergency transportation, and storage
Nebraska	Call 211 and ask for housing-stability and community-action programs	Nebraska victim assistance/compensation program	Moving costs, deposits, truck rental, and DV relocation
Nevada	Call 211 and request homelessness-prevention and relocation programs	Nevada victim assistance/compensation program	Moving expenses, emergency housing, storage, and victim relocation
New Hampshire	Call 211 and ask for local housing-stability programs	New Hampshire victim assistance/compensation program	Movers, transportation, deposits, and emergency relocation
New Jersey	Call 211 and ask for homelessness-prevention and emergency housing assistance	New Jersey victim assistance/compensation program	Moving costs, temporary storage, deposits, and DV relocation
New Mexico	Call 211 and request emergency housing and relocation resources	New Mexico victim assistance/compensation program	Moving assistance, transportation, homelessness prevention, and safe relocation
New York	Call 211 and ask for local eviction-prevention, homelessness, or relocation programs	New York victim assistance/compensation program	Moving-company costs, storage, housing deposits, and DV relocation
North Carolina	Call 211 and request local rapid-rehousing and homelessness-prevention services	North Carolina victim assistance/compensation program	Movers, truck rental, deposits, and emergency relocation
North Dakota	Call 211 and ask for housing and emergency transportation resources	North Dakota victim assistance/compensation program	Moving expenses, homelessness prevention, and victim relocation
Ohio	Call 211 and ask for emergency housing and relocation assistance	Ohio victim assistance/compensation program	Moving costs, truck rental, deposits, and domestic-violence relocation
Oklahoma	Call 211 and request local housing-stabilization programs	Oklahoma victim assistance/compensation program	Moving expenses, emergency transportation, and homelessness prevention
Oregon	Call 211 and ask for local homelessness-prevention and housing programs	Oregon victim assistance/compensation program	Moving costs, storage, deposits, and DV relocation
Pennsylvania	Call 211 and request housing-stability or homelessness-prevention assistance	Pennsylvania victim assistance/compensation program	Movers, truck rental, emergency relocation, and deposits
Rhode Island	Call 211 and ask for local emergency housing and relocation services	Rhode Island victim assistance/compensation program	Moving assistance, housing deposits, transportation, and DV relocation
South Carolina	Call 211 and request homelessness-prevention and emergency housing programs	South Carolina victim assistance/compensation program	Moving costs, deposits, transportation, and safe relocation
South Dakota	Call 211 and ask for local housing and transportation assistance	South Dakota victim assistance/compensation program	Relocation costs, emergency transportation, and homelessness prevention
Tennessee	Call 211 and request local housing-stability and emergency-relocation services	Tennessee victim assistance/compensation program	Movers, truck rental, deposits and domestic-violence relocation
Texas	Call 211 and ask specifically for local homelessness-prevention, community-action and emergency relocation programs	Texas victim assistance/compensation program	Moving expenses, housing deposits, emergency transportation, and DV relocation
Utah	Call 211 and request local homelessness-prevention or rapid-rehousing assistance	Utah victim assistance/compensation program	Moving costs, truck rental, deposits and emergency relocation
Vermont	Call 211 and ask for housing-stability and emergency financial assistance	Vermont victim assistance/compensation program	Moving help, transportation, storage and housing deposits
Virginia	Call 211 and request local homelessness-prevention and relocation resources	Virginia victim assistance/compensation program	Moving-company expenses, deposits and domestic-violence relocation
Washington	Call 211 and ask for local housing, homelessness-prevention and emergency assistance	Washington victim assistance/compensation program	Moving costs, storage, deposits and safe relocation
West Virginia	Call 211 and request emergency housing and transportation resources	West Virginia victim assistance/compensation program	Movers, truck rental, homelessness prevention and DV relocation
Wisconsin	Call 211 and ask for local housing-stabilization and emergency-assistance programs	Wisconsin victim assistance/compensation program	Moving expenses, security deposits, storage and emergency relocation
Wyoming	Call 211 and request local housing and transportation assistance	Wyoming victim assistance/compensation program	Moving help, homelessness prevention and victim relocation
Washington, D.C.	Call 211 and ask for homelessness-prevention and emergency housing programs	D.C. victim assistance/compensation program	Moving expenses, temporary storage, deposits and emergency relocation

How to use this table

Don’t call and simply ask: “Do you give people free movers?”

That question can easily get a “no” even when assistance exists.

Instead, describe the situation and the exact expense:

“I’m being evicted and have somewhere else to live, but I cannot afford the $450 moving company. Do you have homelessness-prevention, ESG, or emergency relocation funding that could cover the moving expense?”

Or:

“I’m leaving because of domestic violence. Does your victim assistance or compensation program cover relocation expenses, or can you connect me with an organization that provides safe moves?”

Those questions direct the person answering the phone toward the correct funding category.

Why we don’t list one “free moving company” for every state

In most states, there isn’t one.

A large share of U.S. moving assistance is administered at the county, city, or nonprofit level, and funding can open and close during the year.

A program may have money available in Chicago while a similar program in another Illinois county has exhausted its funds. The same applies in virtually every other state.

That is why 211 is often more useful than a national list of charities. Its local agencies maintain information on current housing, transportation, and financial-assistance resources and can search based on where you actually live.

For crime-related moves, the federal Office for Victims of Crime maintains state-specific victim assistance and compensation information for every state.

State law determines what expenses are eligible, so applicants should specifically ask whether relocation or moving expenses associated with the crime can be covered.

Local Community Action Agencies

If 211 doesn’t find a dedicated moving program, ask for the Community Action Agency serving your county.

Community Action Agencies work primarily with low-income households and administer different combinations of emergency assistance, housing programs, utility assistance, and other anti-poverty services.

Not every agency pays moving expenses, but they are often worth contacting because local emergency funds don’t always appear prominently in Google searches.

The question remains the same:

“Do you have any emergency assistance that can be used toward relocation, a moving truck, or moving-company costs?”

Search locally, too

After checking 211 and the programs above, try searches using your county or city, rather than just your state.

For example:

• moving assistance after eviction Cook County Illinois
• emergency relocation assistance Houston Texas
• free moving help domestic violence Phoenix Arizona
• ESG moving assistance Miami-Dade County
• homelessness prevention moving costs Los Angeles
• victim relocation assistance Seattle
• moving assistance low income Columbus Ohio

Local programs frequently use terms such as relocation assistance, housing stabilization, rapid rehousing, homelessness prevention, emergency assistance, or flexible financial assistance instead of “free moving.”

Those are often the phrases that lead to the programs that can actually pay the bill.

Moving out after a divorce or relationship breakdown is never easy. In moving out after a breakup, we offer some tips to make the process more bearable.

Verified programs that can help pay actual moving or relocation costs

The programs below are worth highlighting because their official rules specifically mention expenses such as professional movers, truck rental, storage, deposits, or relocation.

They are not general free-moving programs available to everyone. Most are designed for victims of crime or domestic violence and have eligibility requirements.

California: California Victim Compensation Board

The California Victim Compensation Board (CalVCB) can reimburse eligible crime victims for relocation expenses when the move is necessary because of a qualifying crime.

Relocation is specifically listed among expenses CalVCB may cover. The program can also assist with residential security, medical expenses, counseling, and lost income.

During fiscal year 2024–25, CalVCB reported paying approximately $2 million in relocation costs to domestic-violence victims alone.

A relocation request generally requires documentation showing that moving is necessary because of the crime. Depending on the circumstances, verification may come from law enforcement, a medical or mental-health provider, or another approved source.

Good option for: victims of violent crime, including domestic violence, who need to relocate for safety or recovery.

How to apply: Apply through CalVCB online or work with a local victim advocate. CalVCB’s customer-service number is 800-777-9229.

Texas: Crime Victims’ Compensation

Texas has one of the clearest relocation benefits we found.

The state’s Crime Victims’ Compensation law specifically allows eligible victims to receive compensation for expenses including:

• moving belongings
• rental deposits
• utility connections
• mileage
• temporary or emergency lodging
• certain transportation, lodging, and meal expenses for an out-of-state move
• housing rental expenses

Under current Texas law, qualifying relocation and housing-rental benefits are generally subject to an aggregate maximum of $5,000 per applicable claim.

The relocation provisions can apply to qualifying victims of stalking, family violence, trafficking, and certain sexual assaults, as well as some other victims when relocation is necessary to protect their health or safety.

Good option for: victims who need to leave their current residence because remaining there would create a safety risk.

How to apply: Contact the Texas Crime Victims’ Compensation program through the Texas Attorney General. Texas DPS also provides victim-support staff who can help applicants navigate the process.

Florida: Domestic Violence Relocation Assistance

Florida has a dedicated Domestic Violence Relocation Assistance benefit rather than simply including relocation somewhere within a larger compensation program.

It is intended for domestic-violence victims who have an immediate need to move to a safer place. Florida also operates separate relocation programs for eligible victims of sexual battery and human trafficking.

The particularly useful part for someone planning a move is what Florida explicitly allows the money to be used for.

The state’s relocation paperwork lists expenses including:

• rental vehicles used to move belongings
• short-term storage
• housing deposits or rent
• temporary hotel or motel accommodation

Applicants generally need to work with a Florida-certified domestic-violence center, which certifies the need for relocation.

In Florida’s 2023–24 reporting year, the state received 2,224 domestic-violence relocation claims and paid approximately $1.4 million through the program.

Good option for: Florida residents who need to relocate because of domestic violence.

How to apply: Start with a certified Florida domestic-violence center. The statewide Florida Domestic Violence Hotline is 800-500-1119.

Illinois: Crime Victims Compensation Program

Illinois’ Crime Victims Compensation Program includes relocation costs among expenses that may be reimbursed for eligible victims of violent crime.

The Illinois Attorney General says eligible victims may receive compensation of up to $45,000 in total benefits, although individual expense categories and eligibility requirements apply.

For domestic-violence victims, the state’s guidance specifically says eligible relocation expenses can include:

• temporary lodging
• first month’s rent
• security deposit
• other reasonable relocation expenses resulting from the crime

That makes this an important program for Illinois residents who need more than just shelter and are trying to establish themselves somewhere new.

Good option for: eligible Illinois victims of violent crime, including domestic violence.

How to apply: Apply through the Illinois Attorney General’s Crime Victim Compensation Program or call the Crime Victims Assistance Line at 800-228-3368.

New York: Office of Victim Services

New York’s Office of Victim Services (OVS) is another very clear example.

OVS currently lists moving expenses of up to $2,500 among expenses that may be covered for eligible crime victims.

The program can also assist with expenses such as medical treatment, counseling, lost wages, shelter use, crime-scene cleanup, and certain essential personal property.

Recent OVS guidance specifically identifies moving expenses or relocation costs as potentially compensable costs resulting from a crime.

Good option for: New York residents who need to move because of a qualifying crime.

How to apply: A local Victim Assistance Program can help prepare the claim, or victims can apply through the New York State Office of Victim Services.

New Jersey: Victims of Crime Compensation Office

New Jersey’s rules are useful because they spell out what counts as a moving expense.

Eligible relocation expenses can include:

• professional moving services
• truck rental
• security deposits
• temporary shelter
• first month’s rent
• certain additional reasonable relocation expenses

The state’s regulations provide for up to $3,000 in moving-expense reimbursement, subject to eligibility rules.

For people concerned about an abuser or stalker finding the new home, New Jersey also operates an Address Confidentiality Program. Eligible survivors of domestic violence, stalking, and sexual violence who relocate can use a substitute address for certain government records and mail purposes.

Good option for: qualifying New Jersey crime victims who must relocate because of safety concerns.

How to apply: Contact the New Jersey Victims of Crime Compensation Office or a local victim-services organization.

Oregon: Temporary Assistance for Domestic Violence Survivors

Oregon has one of the most practical programs on this list.

The state’s Temporary Assistance for Domestic Violence Survivors (TA-DVS) program can provide eligible families with up to $3,200 over 90 days to help them escape domestic violence and establish safety.

And Oregon explicitly says the money can be used for:

• a moving truck
• storage unit
• transportation to leave the area
• rental deposits
• first or last month’s rent
• utility deposits
• replacement of essential belongings left behind
• certain security expenses

Unlike traditional victim-compensation programs that may reimburse expenses after they have been incurred, Oregon generally makes approved payments directly to the landlord or service provider.

Applicants must meet the program’s requirements, which include Oregon residency, domestic-violence risk, and financial eligibility associated with the TANF program. The person generally must also be pregnant or caring for a minor child.

Good option for: eligible parents, caregivers, and pregnant people in Oregon who need financial assistance to leave domestic violence.

How to apply: Contact a local Oregon Department of Human Services office and ask about TA-DVS.

Pennsylvania: Victims Compensation Assistance Program

Pennsylvania’s Victims Compensation Assistance Program (VCAP) deserves a place in this guide because its relocation rules specifically mention actual moving expenses.

If an eligible crime victim needs to relocate quickly for health or safety reasons, reimbursable expenses can include:

• professional moving-company charges
• moving-van rental
• storage
• new rent costs
• utility connection fees
• mileage
• public transportation
• certain lodging
• rental application fees

Pennsylvania currently allows up to $1,000 per direct victim for qualifying relocation expenses. The move normally needs to occur within 120 days of the crime or a later event that creates a new safety threat, although exceptions may be considered.

There is one important difference from Oregon’s program:

Pennsylvania generally does not provide the relocation money in advance.

The expense must normally be incurred before VCAP can consider reimbursement. That is important for someone who doesn’t have enough cash to pay a mover upfront.

Good option for: Pennsylvania crime victims who must relocate for immediate safety reasons and can meet the reimbursement requirements.

How to apply: Contact Pennsylvania VCAP at 800-233-2339 or apply through the state’s victim-compensation system.

Colorado: Crime Victim Compensation

Colorado law also explicitly recognizes relocation as a compensable crime-related expense.

Under Colorado law, Crime Victim Compensation funds may pay reasonable relocation expenses when moving is necessary to ensure a victim’s safety.

Colorado’s victim-compensation system is administered locally, so the exact benefit and application process can depend on the judicial district handling the claim.

Good option for: eligible crime victims who need to relocate because staying in their current home creates a safety risk.

How to apply: Contact the Crime Victim Compensation program in the judicial district where the crime occurred or ask a local victim advocate to help identify the correct program.

The fewer items you have to move, the cheaper and easier your move will. In how to declutter , we explain how to pare down your possessions before moving.

Comparison of programs that explicitly cover relocation

State	Who it primarily helps	Moving-related help explicitly available	Notable limit/details
California	Eligible victims of violent crime	Relocation expenses	CalVCB paid about $2 million in relocation costs to DV victims in FY 2024–25
Texas	Eligible crime victims, including family-violence and stalking victims	Moving belongings, deposits, utilities, mileage, lodging, and certain out-of-state moving expenses	Generally up to $5,000 combined for qualifying relocation/housing expenses
Florida	Domestic violence, sexual battery and trafficking victims	Moving vehicle, storage, deposits, rent and temporary shelter	Certification through an approved DV or rape-crisis center is generally required
Illinois	Eligible violent-crime victims	Relocation, temporary lodging, first month’s rent and security deposit	Overall crime-victim award can reach $45,000; category limits apply
New York	Eligible crime victims	Moving/relocation expenses	Up to $2,500 for moving expenses
New Jersey	Eligible crime victims	Moving service, truck rental, deposit, shelter and rent	Moving reimbursement up to $3,000 under current rules
Oregon	Eligible families escaping domestic violence	Moving truck, storage, transportation, rent/deposits and safety costs	Up to $3,200 over 90 days
Pennsylvania	Eligible crime victims moving for safety	Professional movers, van rental, storage, rent and utilities	Up to $1,000; generally reimbursement rather than advance payment
Colorado	Eligible crime victims	Reasonable relocation expenses	Move must be necessary for victim safety

What these programs tell us about free moving assistance

There is an important pattern here.

The most useful government moving-assistance programs usually don’t call themselves “free moving programs.”

They use terms such as relocation expenses, victim compensation, housing stabilization, emergency assistance, or transition services.

This is important when searching for help.

Someone searching only for free movers near me may never discover that their state can legally reimburse a moving truck, storage unit, or professional moving company.

If your move is connected to domestic violence, stalking, sexual assault, or another crime, search for:

“[your state] crime victim compensation relocation expenses”

as well as:

“[your state] domestic violence relocation assistance.”

And if the move is related to eviction or homelessness rather than a crime, use:

“[your county] homelessness prevention moving expenses”

or:

“[your county] ESG relocation assistance.”

The name of the program may be different, but the expense you’re trying to solve is the same

What kind of free moving help can you actually get?

Not all “moving assistance” means the same thing.

Type of assistance	What it may cover
Free professional move	Moving crew and truck
Moving-cost assistance	Payment or reimbursement for a mover
Truck-rental assistance	Rental truck or van
Free moving labor	Volunteers for loading or unloading
Temporary storage	Storage while permanent housing is arranged
Transportation assistance	Transportation for household members rather than belongings
Relocation assistance	Moving plus deposits, utilities or housing-related expenses
Housing assistance	Temporary shelter or help securing permanent housing

Understanding the difference can save a lot of time.

Someone may tell you, “We don’t provide moving services,” but still be able to pay a truck-rental bill through a housing-stabilization program.

Who is most likely to qualify for free moving assistance?

There usually isn’t a simple income cutoff that applies to every program.

Eligibility is more often based on a combination of financial need and the reason for the move.

You may have more options if you are escaping domestic violence, homeless, or about to become homeless, facing eviction, a veteran at risk of homelessness, affected by a federally declared disaster, a victim of crime, leaving an institutional setting with Medicaid support, a young person without safe housing, or an older adult or person with a disability needing community-based support.

Having children in the household may also affect eligibility for some local programs.

What documents should you have ready?

Emergency moves don’t always leave much time for paperwork, but gathering a few documents can speed up the process.

Have identification available if possible, along with proof of household income, an eviction notice or notice to vacate if applicable, proof of where you currently live, information about the home you are moving to, a lease or housing approval if available, and an estimate from a mover or truck-rental company.

If your move resulted from a disaster, keep receipts and documentation of the disaster damage.

If you are working with a domestic-violence shelter, crime-victim advocate, VA caseworker, or homelessness caseworker, ask the advocate what documentation is safe and necessary before sharing personal information.

How to get moving assistance when you have only a few days

When time is short, don’t spend the first day emailing dozens of national charities.

Contact help in this order instead:

1. Call 211 and explain that you need emergency moving or relocation assistance, not simply housing information.
2. Contact the program that matches your situation—a domestic-violence advocate, local homelessness provider, VA, FEMA, victim-compensation office, Medicaid transition coordinator, or aging/disability agency.
3. Tell them whether you already have somewhere to move. This can completely change what type of assistance you need.
4. Ask what expenses they can pay directly. Specifically mention a moving company, truck rental, storage, security deposit, and transportation.
5. Get one or two written moving estimates if you can. An agency may be more willing to approve a specific $400 expense than an undefined request for moving help.
6. Do not pay the expense first unless the program tells you reimbursement is allowed. Some programs can only pay approved expenses directly or cannot reimburse costs incurred before approval.
7. If the answer is no, ask for a referral. Say, “Who else in this county helps with relocation expenses?” Local service providers generally know the organizations doing similar work nearby.

What if nobody will pay for the entire move?

You may not need to get the entire move paid by one organization.

Think about the move as several separate expenses.

One program may pay a security deposit. Another may provide temporary storage. A church or volunteer group may help load the truck. A friend may drive it. A local Buy Nothing group may provide boxes. Removing even one or two expenses can turn an unaffordable move into a manageable one.

If you are getting quotes from professional movers, also explain that you are dealing with hardship and ask whether the company has a community-assistance, hardship, or donated-move program.

Some moving companies partner directly with shelters or nonprofits rather than taking applications from the public, so ask your caseworker to contact the mover on your behalf.

Beware of “free moving assistance” scams

Someone in a desperate situation can be an easy target for scammers.

Be especially cautious if someone claims that a government program has already approved you for thousands of dollars but asks you to pay an application fee, processing fee, or gift-card payment first.

Government and nonprofit assistance programs may require documentation, but legitimate emergency-assistance organizations should be able to clearly identify themselves, explain their eligibility requirements, and tell you how the assistance will be provided.

If a stranger on social media offers transportation during a domestic-violence situation, consider the safety implications before providing your address or destination. Working through a shelter or advocate can provide an additional layer of protection and confidentiality.

Free moving assistance isn’t one program, which is actually useful

There is no single organization in the United States responsible for helping everyone who cannot afford to move.

Instead, moving assistance is spread across programs designed for different situations.

That can make the system frustrating to navigate, but it also means that being turned down by one organization doesn’t necessarily mean there is no help available.

The most important thing is to describe why you need to move, when you have to move, and exactly what expense is stopping you from doing it.

Start with 211 if you don’t know which program applies to you, and work outward from there.

Sometimes the difference between being told “we don’t provide free movers” and actually receiving assistance is simply asking the more specific question:

“Do you have any program that can help pay my relocation or moving costs?”