Get free money from the government From Emergency Financial Assistance and Hardship Grants – The government of the United States is distributing millions of dollars through assistance programs and grants to enable financially challenged individuals to meet their ends. Federal and state government social programs are designed for everyone who is navigating financial hardship and needs assistance to get through.
No matter whether you are struggling to pay your rent, utility, housing bills, education or medical bills there are assistance programs in times of your need and will enable you to get back on your feet. This guide will throw light on different programs that provide assistance in times of emergency and how to explore the resources and become eligible for them.
Highlights of this Post
What Are The Eligibility Criteria To Qualify For An Emergency Financial Assistance Program?
- The eligibility criteria to qualify for financial hardship grants may vary depending on your location, the organization and the type of program you are applying for. Following are the general criteria which you need to fulfill to qualify for assistance.
- Be a citizen of the United states, a legal or permanent resident or an eligible immigrant
- Must meet the age and disability requirements of the program
- Must fulfill the household size and income criteria of the program. Generally candidates need to have income less than 50% of the average income for the metropolitan area or the county.
- Must have a valid Social Security number
- Must demonstrate financial need such as loss of income, financial crisis, unemployment, housing instability, utility shutoff notices, forced eviction or foreclosure, a large expense, termination letter from your employer etc.
What Are The Documents Required To Qualify For Emergency Financial Hardship Grants?
- Following are the list of documents that you need to showcase to the grant giving authority to qualify for emergency financial hardship grants.
- Identification documents such as passport, driver’s license, birth certificate, school registration, photo ID etc.
- Proof of citizenship or legal immigrant status as well as valid Social Security cards
- Income verification documents like pay stubs, bank statements, wage statements, tax forms
- Proof of financial hardship that you are currently navigating such as unhealthy living conditions, termination letter, eviction notices, utility discontinuation notices etc.
- Proof of unemployment benefits you are receiving from the federal government or any other source
- Proof of your current address such as a copy of the lease, rental or lease agreement, utility bills or canceled checks that show your rent payments
- Statement from your present landlord stating that you are living in their property as a tenant
What Are The Different Emergency Financial Assistance Programs That Help People In Their Hardship?
The government does not provide individual hardship grants however there are a lot of government assistance programs that assist people to make ends meet if they are struggling financially.
Government assistance programs are grants available to help people with low-income to pay for their basic needs like healthcare, housing, food and other bills. Let’s take a look at the following government programs that can provide you the much much-needed financial relief.
Food Assistance
SNAP, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program
Formerly known as The Food Stamp Program the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program allows low-income families to pay for their food and groceries. Applicants receive an electronic debit card that they can use at certain farmers’ markets or grocery stores.
To find out whether you are eligible for the program you can visit the US Department of Agriculture SNAP eligibility page. The program is providing food vouchers to more than 46.3 million residents or 23 million households in America. If you’re going through food insecurity then you can apply for the program by dialing 1-800-221-5689.
Emergency Food Assistance Program TEFAP
The USDA sponsors an Emergency Food Assistance Grant Program for individuals who are unable to purchase quality food due to financial constraints. The program distributes food to every state in America through soup kitchens and food banks.
The program covers low-income senior citizens, families with minors, adults and disabled individuals who are unable to obtain nutritious and healthy food due to economic hardship.
WIC Program
The WIC program offers food assistance to low-income women, children, infants and pregnant women so that they can access health and social services for breastfeeding promotion, referrals, support and nutrition education.
Applicants who are already participating in other federal assistance programs like Medicaid or SNAP become automatically eligible for the WIC program. You can visit the USDA WIC eligibility requirements to see if you qualify for assistance.
National School Lunch Program
The National School Lunch Program offers nutrition and discounted or free lunch to low-income school-age children. To learn more details about the program you can visit the USDA National School lunch program web page.
The program assists students whose family income falls below the poverty level making it possible for them to access inexpensive and nutritious lunches every day. Children belonging to families with income below 130% of the federal poverty level can get free meals whereas individuals with income between 130% to 185% of the federal poverty level get reduced-price meals
CSFP, Commodity Supplemental Food Program
The CSFP assists low-income senior citizens by providing a package of healthy and nutritious food every month. Low-income seniors who are struggling to put food on their table or going through any emergency or hardship can apply for the program and visit the USDA Commodity Supplemental Food Program page.
Another USDA-sponsored food assistance program for low-income seniors who are going through food insecurity due to financial constraints is the SFMNP, Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program. Both programs assist you in purchasing fresh fruits, vegetables, herbs and honey from authorized markets.
Housing And Rent Assistance
Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program Voucher Program
The Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program is sponsored by the US Department of Housing and Urban Development and administered by local public housing agencies.
Low-income people who are struggling financially to pay their rent can apply for this program. The program offers rental vouchers to eligible candidates that cover around 60% to 70% of rent. You can contact your local public housing agency to learn about this program.
Also read: Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Homeownership Program
Public Housing
Public housing program is designed for low-income families who are struggling to pay for their rent including senior citizens and disabled individuals. To find out whether you are eligible for a public housing program you can contact the local public housing agency near you.
Single Family Housing Repair Grants And Loans Program
The USDA sponsors Single-Family Housing Repair Loans and Grants or the Section 504 home repair program that assists low-income homeowners who are struggling to make necessary repairs and upgrades in their homes due to financial crisis or limited resources.
The program assists senior citizens with a grant worth $7500 and loans up to $20,000 at a 1% interest rate for a 20-year repayment period. By fulfilling the eligibility criteria of the program you can modernize or repair your home, remove safety or health hazards from your property, add energy-efficient appliances or fixtures and reduce your home energy bills.
Medical Assistance
Medicaid
The federal and state-funded health insurance program known as Medicaid offers free or discounted health benefits to eligible low-income individuals and families. The program covers senior citizens, disabled individuals, pregnant women, children, and low-income adults in some states.
This public health insurance program is geared towards low-income families who are struggling to pay their medical bills and need assistance to cover their medical costs and services.
Children’s Health Insurance Program,CHIP
The Children’s Health Insurance program is a federally funded program that assists children belonging to the low-income category who earn too much to qualify for the Medicaid program but are unable to purchase private insurance. Eligibility criteria to qualify for assistance for this program may vary depending on your income and your location.
Also read: Federal and State Programs that Help Pay Medical Bills
Medicare
Medicare is a federal health insurance program that covers low-income senior citizens who are 65 years or above in age. Medicare health insurance program is divided into four parts
- Part Medicare A help senior citizens cover inpatient hospital stay and nursing care
- Part B Medicare program covers flu shots, doctor visits, chemotherapy, tests and physical therapy
- Part C Medicare also known as Medicare Advantage is a combination of Part A and B Medicare coverage and is provided through a private insurer.
- Part D Medicare is a type of prescription drug benefit program that offers additional help and is managed by a private health insurance company.
Low-income senior citizens who are struggling to pay for their medical bills and need assistance to lead a good quality life can apply for the Medicare program by fulfilling the eligibility criteria.
VA Health Care Programs
Low-income veterans and military members including their surviving spouses and family members can reduce their medical bills if they are navigating financial hardship by applying for VA healthcare programs.
You need to fulfill age, income and military service requirements to reduce your medical debt and get much-needed financial assistance. The healthcare plans are sponsored by the Veteran Health Administration and provide individual candidates with home health services, dental benefits, hospital coverage, supportive services, hearing aids and mental health programs.
Affordable Care Act
One can get health insurance credits through the Affordable Care Act. The individuals and the families who buy the insurance coverage through the government’s health insurance marketplace (HealthCare.gov), will be qualified or eligible to get the credit towards their insurance premiums. Your monthly payments can be lowered and the payment of the insurance can be directly given to your insurance provider.
Financial Assistance
TANF, Temporary Assistance For Needy Families Program
The Temporary Assistance For Needy Families Program is a welfare assistance program designed by the federal government through which it offers time-limited cash assistance, job training and childcare assistance to eligible low-income families who are going through a crisis or emergency.
To apply for cash benefits you need to apply at your local county or social service agency. The cash assistance received through this program can help you cover your basic needs like food, clothing, shelter, childcare expenses and transportation costs.
The program offers financial assistance of up to $447 per month to three-person households. To receive assistance you need to meet age, household size and income criteria set by the program in your state
Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
Low-income senior citizens or disabled individuals can apply for Supplemental Security Income which is a popular government benefit program that helps with cash assistance.
The program provides cash support to qualified individuals so that they can cover their basic needs such as food, clothing, shelter and so on. On average the program is assisting more than 8.4 million individuals and per person receives an amount worth $536. Around 7.3 million Americans who are old, blind and disabled are covered under this program.
Social Security Disability Insurance
Social Security Disability Insurance Benefit is another federal government program designed for disabled individuals who are living with emotional, physical or mental disability and belong to the low-income category.
You are also required to meet the definition of disability as per the guidelines of the Social Security Administration. In case you are looking for government grants for disabled seniors then you can get the benefits through this program. The program will help you to cover your living expenses and basic needs such as prescription medication.
Unemployment Insurance Program
Low-income people who are navigating financial hardship and incurring debt after losing a job can apply for the US Department of Labor-funded Unemployment Insurance Program.
The program provides income support or cash benefits to qualified candidates for a limited period provided they have lost their job due to no fault of their own. You need to showcase your identification proof, work history and residency documents to qualify for assistance.
Utility And Internet Assistance
LIHEAP, Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program
The US federal government sponsors the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program through which it offers cash grants to low-income families so that they can reduce their home heating and cooling bills and save money.
The US Department of Health and Human Services runs the program and in some cases, you can also use the grant for installing floors, insulation and ducts or replacing insufficient heating or cooling units in your property. People who have received utility shut-off notices can apply for the program by dialing 186666746327.
Weatherization Assistance Program
Low-income families and individuals in America who are going through financial hardship and are unable to pay for their utility bills or repair their homes can apply for the US Department of Energy-funded Weatherization Assistance Program to help reduce home energy bills and make their home energy efficient.
By accessing this program you’ll not only get a safe and healthy dwelling environment but also reduce your utility bill and get an energy-efficient home.
Lifeline Program
The Lifeline Program is run by the Federal Communication Commission and offers discounted cell phone and landline services to qualified candidates. The eligibility criteria require you to have income less than 135% of the federal poverty level to receive Internet and telephone bill assistance.
Education Assistance
Federal Pell Grant
The Department of Education administers the federal Pell Grant for low-income students who want to acquire higher education but are facing financial burdens. You can continue your post-secondary education by applying for the program however you need to file FAFSA.
The assistance that you can receive through this program is based on various factors such as expected family contribution, cost of attendance at your school and your status as a part-time or full-time student.
FSEOG, Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant
Another federally funded program known as the Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant is for candidates who are Pell eligible and helps them to reduce their economic burden.
If you wish to pursue higher education then you can apply for the program and get assistance up to $4000 per year. The financial assistance will be based on the cost of attendance at your school, the availability of the funds and your financial needs.
TEACH, Federal Teacher Education Assistance For Colleges And Higher Education Grant
Financial support is provided to students who are navigating financial hardship and wish to enter the teaching profession through the federally funded TEACH grants.
By applying for this program you get to reduce your education bill and economic burden at the same time. However, you need to enter an agreement to work in a high-need field for four years at an elementary or secondary school serving low-income students.
Iraq And Afghanistan Service Grants
Low-income students in the USA looking for ways to cover their educational bills and reduce their economic burden can apply for the Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grants. Students are required to give proof that their guardian or parents have died due to military service after 11 September 2001 in Afghanistan or Iraq.
Child Care Assistance
Child Care And Development Fund
The Child Care and Development Fund helps low-income families to pay out the cost of daycare. According to the Department of Health and Human service, the funds are given to the states and they distribute the funded money to the tribes, territories so that they can give the money to the families who need their help for child care. These grants are given on income-based and cover the cost of caring for children who are under 13.
Head Start Or Early Head Start Program
Both Early Head Start and Head Start are federal government programs that are designed to promote school readiness among low-income children from birth to age 5.
While the Early Head Start program serves children from birth to two years, the Head Start program serves children who are three to five years old. The program covers individuals who have income below the poverty level. It provides a wide array of services such as free dental and medical care, nutrition, health and child education.
Childcare Access Means Parents In School Program CCAMPIS
The Childcare Access Means Parents In School Program is a federal grant program that offers campus-based child care assistance to low-income parents who are in post-secondary education and are navigating financial hardship or unable to pay for the childcare costs.
Low-income student parents can apply for the program if they are looking for childcare assistance to remain in school and graduate with a college degree. You need to fulfill your financial income, eligibility status, family contribution, resource and financial need criteria to qualify.
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Conclusion
There are a plethora of places that needy families in the United States of America can turn to in times of financial hardship and get help with basic needs. The aforementioned programs and resources to help less fortunate and vulnerable communities with medical, food, financial, education and many other assistance in times of emergency and reduce our economic burden.
Are you interested in learning more about various grants and foundations that can help you financially? Visit our website at Get Government Grants and check out the rest of our resources today!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you get free money from the government without paying it back?
Yes, government programs help needy people to get money through various programs. To get free money from government without paying it back, you can research the best program in your local area and can apply for that
How To Get Down Payment Assistance?
Many people live on rent and struggle to get their own house, as they do not have enough money to pay the down payment of the house. From the government assistance program, they will get help to pay the down payment of the house. One can search for Get govt grants guide to find down payment assistance programs in your state.