Dealing with high phone bills, not having enough food, or living in a cold house is tough for many people today. It’s a hard fight every day. But, there’s good news because the government has a long list of programs to help with these big problems.
For example, there’s a program that gives you free phone services, which can lower your phone bills. Section 8 helps you pay for a place to live. Lifeline benefits can reduce your phone and internet costs. And, if you can’t work because of a disability, Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) offers financial support.
These are just some of the ways the government is helping. There are 23 other programs too, all designed to support people in the United States during tough times.
Keep reading to find out how these programs can really change your life for the better.
Remember, you’re not alone. Help is out there. ⤵️
⭐️ SNAP: Help with Groceries
- Eligibility: Low-income families.
- Benefits: Money for healthy food.
- How to Apply: Through your state’s SNAP program.
SNAP helps with grocery costs, allowing for healthier food choices. ➡️ [Apply for SNAP]
⭐️ Related: If you get SNAP benefits, you qualify for free phone service, internet service and possibly free lunches!
⭐️ SSDI: Financial Support for Disability
- Eligibility: Unable to work because of a disability
- Benefits: Monthly cash assistance
- How to Apply: Online or at a Social Security office.
SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance) gives money to those who can’t work due to disability. It’s a safety net for those who’ve worked and paid into Social Security. SSDI helps if you get disabled due to illness or accident. ➡️ [Apply for SSDI]
⭐️ Lifeline: Free Government Phone & Internet
- Eligibility: Low income or participation in certain programs.
- Benefits: Discounts on phone and internet.
- Needed Documents: Proof of income or program participation.
You might have heard of “Obama phone.” That’s Lifeline! It makes phone or internet service affordable, sometimes even free. Lifeline helps you stay connected with a monthly discount. It’s perfect for staying in touch, work, or fun. Lifeline is about making sure everyone can communicate, not just those who can afford it. See how much you could save! ➡️ [Apply for Lifeline]
⭐️ LIHEAP: Stay Warm Without Worry
- Eligibility: Based on income, family size, and energy costs.
- Benefits: Help with heating and cooling bills.
- How to Apply: Through your state’s LIHEAP office or website.
LIHEAP helps pay for heating in cold weather, so you can stay warm without stressing about bills. It’s like a cozy blanket in the world of bills. ➡️ [Apply for LIHEAP]
⭐️ Debt Relief
- Eligibility: Individuals facing substantial debt.
- Benefits: Reduced or managed debt.
- How to Apply: Through debt relief services or financial counselors.
Debt Relief programs help people who owe a lot of money by finding ways to make their debt smaller or easier to handle. ➡️ [Apply for Debt Relief]
⭐️ Unclaimed Billions: Find Free Money
- Eligibility: Anyone who may have unclaimed assets such as forgotten bank accounts, insurance policies, or inheritances.
- Benefits: Reclaiming funds or assets that rightfully belong to you.
- How to Apply: Visit your state’s official unclaimed property website
Missing money and unclaimed property could be yours for the taking! Unclaimed billions are held by state governments from sources such as bank accounts, insurance policies, and state agencies. Free money is just a search away. ➡️ [Find Missing Money]
⭐️ WIC: Supporting Mothers and Children
- Eligibility: Low-income pregnant women, new mothers, and young children.
- Benefits: Nutrition, food, support services.
- How to Apply: Visit local WIC office.
WIC supports families’ nutrition and health needs in early years. ➡️ [Apply for WIC]
⭐️ WAP: Energy-Efficient Homes
- Eligibility: Low-income, high energy use.
- Benefits: Home improvements for energy savings.
- How to Apply: Contact your state’s agency.
WAP makes homes more energy-efficient, lowering bills. ➡️ [Apply for WAP]
⭐️ Veteran Disability Benefits: What’s Your Rating?
- Eligibility: Veterans with service-connected disabilities.
- Benefits: More compensation based on disability.
- How to Apply: Review and appeal with the Veterans Affairs.
Veterans, make sure you get all the benefits you deserve. ➡️ [Learn More]
⭐️ Section 8: Making Rent Easier
- Eligibility: Based on income, family size, and citizenship.
- Benefits: Help with rent in private housing.
- How to Apply: Contact your local public housing agency.
With rents rising, Section 8 can be a huge help. It pays part of your rent, making housing more affordable. ➡️ [Apply for Section 8]
⭐️ ACP: Affordable Internet
- Eligibility: Low-income or program participants.
- Benefits: Discounts on internet and devices.
- How to Apply: Check with your provider or the ACP website.
The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) makes internet access more affordable, helping with service and device costs. ➡️ [Apply for ACP]
⭐️ Unemployment Benefits: Support Between Jobs
- Eligibility: Recently unemployed.
- Benefits: Money while looking for new employment.
- How to Apply: Through your state’s program.
Unemployment benefits support you financially between jobs. ➡️ [Apply for Unemployment Benefits]
⭐️ TEFAP: More Than Just Canned Food
- Eligibility: Varies by state, usually based on income.
- Benefits: Fresh produce and more.
- How to Apply: Contact your local food bank or center.
Think TEFAP is just canned food? Nope! They offer fruits, veggies, dairy, and more. It’s not only about stocking your pantry but adding healthy choices to your meals. TEFAP is great for anyone needing extra food help. ➡️ [Apply for TEFAP]
⭐️ Related: If you like TEFAP, you might qualify for SNAP for more food help.
⭐️ SSI: Extra Help When You Need It
- Eligibility: Aged, blind, or disabled with limited income.
- Benefits: Monthly cash for basic needs.
- How to Apply: Online or at a Social Security office.
SSI helps low-income people who are blind, disabled, or over 65 pay for essentials like food and clothes. ➡️ [Apply for SSI]
🔥 Tip: Keep medical records and financial statements ready for SSI applications.
⭐️ National School Lunch Program: Healthy School Meals
- Eligibility: Children in participating schools, based on income.
- Benefits: Free or reduced-price lunches.
- How to Apply: Through your child’s school.
The program provides nutritious lunches to eligible children at school. ➡️ [Apply for the National School Lunch Program]
⭐️ Federal Pell Grant: College Dreams Come True
- Eligibility: Undergraduate students with financial need.
- Benefits: Education grants not needing repayment.
- How to Apply: Fill out FAFSA.
The Pell Grant provides money for college expenses without needing repayment. ➡️ [Apply for a Pell Grant]
⭐️ Child Tax Credit: Helping Parents
- Eligibility: Parents with kids under 17.
- Benefits: Tax credit for child expenses.
- How to Apply: Automatic with tax return if eligible.
The Child Tax Credit provides a tax break to parents for child-related expenses. ➡️ [Claim Your Child Tax Credit]
⭐️ Free Window Grants: Goodbye Drafty Windows
- Eligibility: Varies, often includes income and homeownership.
- Benefits: Free energy-efficient windows.
- How to Apply: Contact local housing or energy departments.
Upgrade to energy-saving windows for free with these grants. Say hello to a warmer home and lower energy bills! ➡️ [Apply for Free Window Grants]
⭐️ HARP: Easier Mortgage Payments
- Eligibility: Homeowners with less than 20% equity.
- Benefits: Refinancing for better mortgage terms.
- How to Apply: Through HARP-approved lenders.
HARP helps with refinancing mortgages for easier payments. ➡️ [Refinance Your Mortgage]
⭐️ RRAP: Affordable Living in Rural Areas
- Eligibility: Low-income in rural areas.
- Benefits: Rental assistance for rural living.
- How to Apply: Through local Rural Development offices.
RRAP makes rural living more affordable by helping with rent. You may be surprised what qualifies as “rural” under federal programs. Click to find out if your area qualifies as “rural.” ➡️ [Apply for RRAP]
⭐️ Medicaid: Healthcare for You and Your Family
- Eligibility: Low income, certain families, pregnant women, and people with disabilities.
- Benefits: Covers doctor visits, hospital stays, and long-term medical care.
- How to Apply: Apply through your state Medicaid agency or healthcare.gov.
Medicaid provides essential healthcare services, ensuring that medical care is accessible for those who need it most. ➡️ [Apply for Medicaid]
⭐️ LIHWAP: Affordable Water Bills
- Eligibility: Low-income households.
- Benefits: Help with water and sewer bills.
- How to Apply: Contact LIHWAP agencies or utilities.
LIHWAP helps with water and sewer bills, keeping clean water accessible. ➡️ [Apply for LIHWAP]
⭐️ Medicare: Secure Your Health at 65 and Beyond
- Eligibility: People aged 65 or older, and those with certain disabilities.
- Benefits: Covers hospital care, medical services, and prescription drugs.
- How to Apply: Sign up through Social Security, online or at a local office.
Medicare offers peace of mind in your senior years, covering key health needs as you age. ➡️ [Apply for Medicare]
The government programs we’ve discussed are designed to assist with immediate needs and also contribute to long term wellness. For example, Section 8 housing assistance provides a stable place to live now and also reduces stress by ensuring long-term housing security. The Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) not only lowers your energy bills today but also improves your home’s comfort and safety for the future.
Going through all these different programs and their benefits can feel overwhelming. If you don’t know where to start, try visiting your local public assistance office. The people working there can help you look at all the options and find the programs that fit what you need. Keep in mind, these programs are there to help you, and using them can really make your life better!