Benefits and Financial Assistance from the Government
If you're looking for immediate or emergency help, your state's human service or social service agency might be able to provide financial assistance or refer you to local community organizations.
Search for Financial Assistance from the Government
Benefits.gov is a free website that can help you determine which types of government assistance you might qualify for and how and where to apply.
Using the Benefit Finder, answer questions about yourself and your needs to see if you’re eligible for programs to help you pay for food, health insurance, or other necessities.
Check back with Benefits.gov in the future to see if you’re eligible for additional benefits after major life events and as new benefit programs become available.
Search for Benefits and Programs for People with Disabilities
Beginning December 16, 2016 the Disability.gov website will no longer be available.
Unemployment Insurance Extended Benefits are available to workers who have already collected all regular unemployment insurance benefits during periods of high unemployment.
Educational Assistance
If you are unemployed and receiving unemployment benefits, visit Opportunity.gov to find education and training opportunities, including help with education costs.
Self-Employment Assistance
Self-employment assistance offers unemployed workers the opportunity to create their own jobs by starting their own small businesses. This is a voluntary program offered by these states: Delaware, Mississippi, New Hampshire, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island and Vermont.
Unemployment Benefits and Taxes
Unemployment insurance benefits are taxable. You must report any unemployment benefits you receive as part of your gross income. Visit the Unemployment Compensation website from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is a federally-funded benefit program formerly known as "food stamps."
The benefits you'll get from SNAP are loaded onto an Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card, similar to a credit or debit card.
How to Get Food Benefits
Eligibility. Before using the pre-screening eligibility tool, gather your amounts of income, rent or mortgage, utility bills, child support, daycare expenses, medical bills, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), and Social Security or VA payments. When you input this information, the tool will tell you if you're likely to qualify for food benefits and how much you may receive. This is not an application; you will still need to apply through your state's program.
Application. Find the online application for your state. You'll find local office addresses and phone numbers in the same place. You can also apply in person at a state or local office.
Receive your card. If your state determines that you qualify for food benefits, they will send you an EBT card.
Manage your benefits. Access food benefits at your local authorized SNAP retailers. You can use the card at a cash register like a credit or debit card to pay for food.
Purchase food items.You can use the card to purchase eligible food items at local retailers like grocery stores and at some farmer's markets.
If you're a retailer or work with a farmers market, you can apply online or call the SNAP Retailer Service Center at 1-877-823-4369 to become authorized to accept SNAP.
Report SNAP Food Benefits Fraud
If you suspect an individual or a retailer is committing SNAP fraud, you can report it to your state online or by phone.
Welfare or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
Learn About Short-Term Financial Assistance
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), also known as welfare, is designed to help families recover from temporary difficulties and move forward.
Recipients may qualify for help with food, housing, home energy, child care, job training, and more.
Each state and tribal government's TANF program is operated differently, and has a different name.
Benefits Eligibility
Each state and territory decides the specific eligibility criteria that must be met to receive financial assistance payments or other types of benefits and services.
Check with your local TANF office to learn whether you are eligible to receive financial assistance or other TANF benefits and services.
Your state will determine if you qualify for Medicaid. Check with your state's Medicaid office to see if you are eligible to receive benefits and to apply.
Learn About CHIP
CHIP covers uninsured children and teens up to age 19 in families with incomes too high to qualify for Medicaid. This coverage includes health and dental plans.
Eligibility and How to Apply
States have different eligibility rules. You can apply by contacting your state office or calling 1-877-KIDS-NOW (1-877-543-7669), a free and confidential hotline, to be connected directly to your state's program.
