USA Government Assistance Programs : The United States government has established various government programs in each state to help those in financial need. If you are working and have a low income, you can also take advantage of these programs. These federal benefits give people free money for basic necessities like food, healthcare, and education. Let’s look at the USA government assistance programs that give away free money!
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Do I Qualify for Government Assistance Benefits?
While government benefits aren’t available to everyone, low-income families in the U.S. have access to programs. If your gross family income is at or below the poverty line, you are eligible for government benefits or federal government assistance. You may also qualify if you are:
- You are a single mother.
- You are pregnant.
- You have a disability.
- You are elderly.
Government Benefit Programs That Give Free Money
The United States government has launched schemes to provide financial assistance to poor families. Beneficiaries are given free money under these schemes. Let us know about these government schemes in detail.
Medicaid
Health is one of the priorities when it comes to basic needs. Medicaid is a joint federal–state health coverage program for eligible low-income people, including many adults, children, pregnant women, seniors, and people with disabilities. In 2020, Medicaid covered 70.6 million people all over the country.
Head Start
This program is geared toward child development and is catered to low-income groups. Head Start is a federally funded programme that provides free education, health, nutrition, and family support services to eligible children from birth to age 5 and their families. It is a free program for children up to age 5.
Who qualifies: Families at or below the current poverty level. You can qualify regardless of income if you receive TANF, SSI or SNAP.
Federal Pell Grant Program
Federal Pell Grant Program for Students who came from low-income families, which provides financial aid for post-secondary education. Undergraduates who have not earned a bachelor’s, graduate, or professional degree can apply for free money scheme. The grant amount a student is eligible for is calculated based on:
- The cost of attendance,
- The duration of the college or p
- The postbaccalaureate program, and
- The expected family contribution.
Who qualifies: You must have strong financial need and be attending college for your first bachelor’s degree.
Low-Income Heating Energy Assistance (LIHEAP)
The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is a federal program that helps eligible low‑income households pay home energy bills, energy-related repairs, handling energy crises and access weatherization. This program is designed for low-income families, senior citizens, individuals with disabilities, and families with young children. However, only eligible individuals will benefit from this USA assistance program.
Who qualifies: Eligibility factors include your location, energy needs and costs, household size, income and other benefits.
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
SNAP is a federal program handled at the state level, so apply in the state where you currently live. SNAP covers some costs of nutritious food for eligible low-income families. Through SNAP, eligible low-income families can put food on the table through pre-filled electronic benefits transfer (EBT) cards.
Who qualifies: Monthly household income typically must be at or below 130% of the poverty line and Households with a member who’s disabled or over 60 can have more assets.
Housing Choice Vouchers
Government issues housing choice vouchers to families needing low-cost rented homes. The government pays part of the rent cost directly to the landlord. Houses allotted under this program vary in categories, from townhouses to apartments.