Public assistance programs - government benefits near you

Public assistance and government benefits

Find public assistance programs that are part of local and federal government benefits. Low-income families, the unemployed and people living in poverty can get help from these social services.

The assistance from government benefit programs ranges from low-income energy assistance to food, child care, short term cash assistance and more. Get details on the main government assistance programs near you , including benefits available in your state.

Cash assistance benefits from the government

Public assistance and government benefits.

The goal of a public assistance program is always to address the immediate crisis while helping families get long term stability. Social or Human Service offices in your community take applications to these government programs.

While the federal government does offer their own programs, some are operated in partnership with states or local communities and therefore the names may vary based on where the applicant lives.

The main types of public benefits for families in or near poverty are as follows. Cash assistance from public aid programs: Food benefits: Low-income energy bill help from government benefits: Government / public housing programs: Medical care benefits:

Food programs

List of state public assistance:

As noted, public assistance programs often go by many names, depending on the state where the family lives. As people may refer to them by different names, such as welfare, benefits, government assistance or something else.

But the bottom line is, no matter the name, these programs are really all the same thing - a social safety net provided by the government to very low-income families, seniors or the disabled.

Cash assistance benefits from the government: Senior citizens

Energy bill help

, ranging from age from 60 to 65, have various public assistance programs focused on their needs. Older adults will be able to apply for free money from the federal government. There are several benefits, public aid programs, and social services that will help older people get the cash they need to pay their bills or address other needs.

Learn more on senior free money programs from the government Government assistance is offered for the disabled . Individuals with a short or long term disability can receive financial help from several government benefits.

Some form of compensation, including free grants may be provided from SSDI or SSI. There is also FMLA for short term disability, from both the government and local non-profits that partner with social services. Get applications for disability assistance Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) is run at the state level.

It will provide free government cash to low-income families and people living in (or near poverty) that have kids. Funds can be used to pay for basic living expenses such as food, rent, utilities, housing, transportation, and medications. Local Department of Human Services (DHS) offices process applications for this government benefit.

Get information on how to apply for cash assistance from TANF The federal government may issue loans

to some families as part of their public assistance. Funds may help the disabled while they wait on a SSI check, support senior citizens before they receive social security retirement funds, or help pay for other bills such as home or car repairs.

A number of agencies can be involved in providing government loans Other government assistance in the form of grant money is for the disabled, elderly, singe moms, or the homeless among others.

There are a wide variety of local as well as national programs that can be applied too. Learn more on free government money for the low-income Learn about the appeal process of government benefits. Families

Energy bill help

that are denied access to public assistance from the federal or state social services can get help in appealing the decision. Lawyers or advocates can assist low income families as they try to receive the cash aid, food stamps, housing, or other benefits that they are entitled to. Find

help with public assistance denials

The federal government LIHEAP, or Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, is available in all states. Government grant money will help low income families, the elderly and disabled pay utility bills. LIHEAP, which can be called different names, can help pay heating bills, cooling expenses, and a crisis component can prevent a disconnection. Find how to apply for LIHEAP energy assistance

Public assistance programs for single mothers is an option. The federal government has benefits that help parents, with a focus on single moms, that have no money. A wide variety of social services, government grants, hunger prevention as well as housing programs are offered.

A major focus is on ensuring the kids have a health and safe environment to reside in. More on

public assistance for single mothers Child and free government subsidized day

Public housing benefit programs

care helps low-income parents. The federal government provides grants to each state and those funds are disbursed by local social service offices. The public assistance is for low income, working parents, single mothers or those in school or job training who meet the qualifications.

Most states do have a waiting list for the free government day care vouchers or cheap child care providers. Find government assistance for child care The Early Head Start program (which is for infants and pregnant women) as well as Head Start

(for children up to age 5) can help children prepare for school. The government provides other social services at the same time such as comprehensive educational, nutritional, food, free dental, and health care. After school child care can also be provided as well in some states. Get more information on Head Start programs

Government health care benefits

Government funded job training programs

are offered in all states and most local communities. Social service offices will often require that beneficiaries in any public or government assistance programs be actively seeking employment.

There are DOL (Department of Labor) programs, the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, CareerOneStop and others. Dial 1-877-872-5627, or look here for

Government benefits and public assistance near you by state

free government job training Free income tax filing programs are offered by the federal government and local social service offices Those who can’t afford to file their returns can use the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program or the Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) benefit.

It offers free advice and income tax preparation help to low income individuals and senior citizens. People can also E-file their state and federal income taxes for free in many states. Learn more on filing for income tax help Food programs: SNAP, or Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, helps low-income families pay for groceries.

The federal government resource is also commonly called food stamps, however some states will call SNAP a different name. Participants will be provided an EBT card that is used at local stores to help pay for the groceries they need.

More on SNAP food stamps Commodity Supplemental Food Program helps feed seniors and very young children The United States Department of Agriculture offers this benefit. The government will provide free staple foods including cheese, milk, dairy, bread, meat, groceries, produce and similar goods. The program, often called CSFP, will also help mothers up to one year postpartum.

Learn more about Commodity Supplemental Food Program Emergency Food Assistance Program from the government is run in partnership with local non-profits. Distribution takes places at social service offices or pantries. Low-income individuals can receive free food including canned goods, a bag of groceries, or hot, healthy meals.

Read more on TEFAP emergency food Women, Infants and Children (WIC) from the USDA will provide free supplemental food to pregnant or breastfeeding women. Or the government assistance program will provide baby free formula or milk to infants or children under 5 years of age.

There will be Enfamil, Gerber, and other nutritious food or infant formula from the WIC benefit. The federal government will provide vouchers or checks as part of Women, Infants and Children Energy bill help: The federal government LIHEAP, or Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, is available in all states.

Government grant money will help low income families, the elderly and disabled pay utility bills. LIHEAP, which can be called different names, can help pay heating bills, cooling expenses, and a crisis component can prevent a disconnection.

Find how to apply for LIHEAP energy assistance

Weatherization is a government benefit that will help low-income families, and people with older homes, reduce their home heating or electric bills. There are free home repairs, insulation, windows, HVAC tune ups and other benefits. The enhancements to a residence can also address some minor health and safety needs of a home.

Learn more on the

Conclusion - List of public aid and government benefits

weatherization program Discounted or free government phone or internet programs is a federal government

program that helps families pay phone or home internet bills, with a focus on cellular units. There are two main services available. Some public assistance programs will even give out a free phone to a senior or low-income family.

The benefits from them vary, but the options are as follows. There are free cell phone programs for people already on public aid. Families that are currently receiving benefits, such as food stamps, Medicaid, section 8 or LIHEAP for their energy bills, will often automatically qualify for a free government phone States also offer discounts on monthly service charges

or deposits to establish service. These public assistance programs vary by state but will help households save money. Find how to get assistance for paying phone bills

The FCC, working with cell phone and cable companies, offers families who receive public assistance free or low cost computers and Internet service

. The goal it to help students and adults get Internet access for school, job training, work,