Government Programs and How They Can Help

Check out some of the programs offered to help cover basic expenses, provide food, and healthcare.

Food
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) provides benefit cards to purchase food from grocery stores or farmers markets. This program offers a range of healthy food coverage options to pregnant women, children, and seniors, as well as providing free or low-cost school and daycare lunches.

Visit the US Department of Agriculture to determine eligibility, or to view a list of SNAP eligible foods and products.

Healthcare

Two of the main healthcare coverage options are Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP).

• Medicaid provides health coverage to millions of Americans, including eligible low-income adults, children, pregnant women, elderly adults and people with disabilities.
• The Federal Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), is a health insurance program which offers free or low-cost health insurance for kids and teens. Children can get regular check-ups, immunizations, doctor and dentist visits, hospital care, mental health services, prescriptions and more.

For more information about these programs, or to determine eligibility, please visit https://www.healthcare.gov/medicaid-chip/

Housing

• Subsidized Housing, Housing Vouchers, and Public Housing programs help low-income families, seniors, and people with disabilities get into affordable private or government-owned rental housing. Visit the U.S Department of Housing and Urban Development for more information.
• Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) helps low-income households pay heating and cooling bills, and offers low-cost home improvements to reduce those costs.

Financial Assistance

• Welfare or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) helps families achieve independence after experiencing difficulties by providing food, housing, utilities, childcare, or job training. For more information about Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, or to find coverage options per state, visit the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
• Supplemental Security Income (SSI) provides cash to meet basic needs for food, clothing, and shelter. It is also designed to help the elderly and those with special needs who have little or no income. For help with how SSI works, getting a new card, setting up direct deposit, and more, please visit https://www.usa.gov/about-social-security.
• Unemployment benefits provide help in the event of job loss. Visit https://www.usa.gov/unemployment for unemployment benefits per state, and information on how to get started.
  
  Use the benefits finder to determine which types of assistance for which you’re eligible. For more information about these programs, how they can help you, or to get started, please visit usa.gov/benefits