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Jim Probasco has 30+ years of experience writing for online, print, radio, and television media, including PBS. His expertise includes government programs and policy, retirement planning, insurance, family finance, home ownership and loans. He has a bachelor's from Ohio University and Master's from Wright State University in music education.
Updated June 22, 2024 Reviewed by Reviewed by Michael J BoyleMichael Boyle is an experienced financial professional with more than 10 years working with financial planning, derivatives, equities, fixed income, project management, and analytics.
Fact checked by Fact checked by Vikki VelasquezVikki Velasquez is a researcher and writer who has managed, coordinated, and directed various community and nonprofit organizations. She has conducted in-depth research on social and economic issues and has also revised and edited educational materials for the Greater Richmond area.
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The federal government offers a variety of assistance programs for individuals and businesses, often in partnership with states. Here's an overview of major ones, key information about them, and how to apply if eligible.
These programs provide benefits through payments, goods, or services to help with basic living expenses if you qualify due to low wages.
Unemployment insurance (UI) is a federal and state program. The states administer the program, which the federal government largely funds through federal unemployment tax (FUTA) on employers. States may also collect their own state unemployment tax (SUTA).
The goal of unemployment insurance is "to provide temporary financial assistance to unemployed workers who are unemployed through no fault of their own," so not everyone who has lost a job qualifies.
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), once known as welfare, is another federally funded, state-run benefits program designed to help families achieve independence following temporary difficulty. Qualified recipients may receive help with food, housing, home energy, childcare, and job training. TANF recipients must engage in some type of work activity as defined by their state.
Each state runs its TANF program and sets the eligibility criteria. You can apply at your local county social services agency or call your state TANF office for local contact information to sign up for benefits. Qualifying for TANF does not disqualify you from other government benefits.
The Social Security Administration (SSA) Benefit Eligibility Screening Tool provides an excellent way to determine your eligibility for any benefit administered by the SSA.
Social Security Disability Insurance benefits are available to people who cannot work for at least one year due to a medical condition or who are expected to die from that condition.
To be eligible, you must:
Additional information about SSDI can be found in the Social Security Disability Benefits brochure. The Social Security Disability Planner helps you determine if you are eligible. If you believe you qualify, you can apply online.
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a federal income program administered but not funded by Social Security. SSI is designed to meet the basic needs of older, blind, and/or disabled Americans who have little or no income. SSI consists of a monthly payment to help with the cost of food, clothing, and shelter. It can help you qualify for Medicaid coverage as well as food stamps.
To qualify for SSI, you generally have to be 65 or older and blind or disabled. Among other things, you must also:
The SSI application process web page explains how to apply and includes an extensive How Someone Can Help You With Your SSI section.
The table below compares TANF with both SSDI and SSI regarding eligibility.
| Program | Low Income | Family | 65 or Older, Blind, or Disabled | Work Requirement |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TANF | Yes | Yes | None | Yes |
| SSDI | No | No | Disabled | Yes |
| SSI | Yes | No | Any | No |
Source: Social Security Administration
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is the government access point for all forms of student financial aid, including grants and scholarships, student loans, and work-study programs. These programs provide financial help to college students with demonstrated financial needs.
Eligibility is based on:
Additional requirements can be found on the Federal Student Aid web page. The Federal Student Aid Application Process begins with FAFSA.
The COVID-19 moratorium on student loan payments and interest came to an end on Sept. 30, 2023. Interest began accumulating again on Sept. 1, 2023.
In June 2023, the Supreme Court blocked an effort from the Biden administration to forgive up to $20,000 per borrower in student loan debt at a cost of $430 billion.
Following the Supreme Court decision, the Biden administration launched the Saving on a Valuable Education (SAVE) plan, a new income-driven repayment option. The SAVE plan proposed lowering borrowers' monthly payments to 5% of discretionary income for undergraduate borrowers, but this was blocked by federal courts. Before it was blocked, the plan raised the discretionary income threshold so that a single borrower earning about $15 per hour would have their monthly payment set to $0. In addition, borrowers on the SAVE plan will not see unpaid interest capitalize on their accounts, which should ensure that balances don't grow as long as payments are kept up to date.
The SAVE plan also included early forgiveness for low-balance borrowers. Although the plan was supposed to forgive more debt in the summer of 2024, a federal appeals court blocked the SAVE plan. The Department of Education has moved borrowers enrolled in the SAVE plan into an interest-free forbearance while the litigation is ongoing.
The Department of Education has also outlined options for borrowers who were nearing Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)—borrowers can either "buy back" months of PSLF credit if they reach 120 months of payments while in forbearance or switch to a different IDR plan.
The American Rescue Plan passed by Congress and signed by President Biden in March 2021 includes a provision that makes all student loan forgiveness from Jan. 1, 2021 to Dec. 31, 2025 tax-free.
The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) replaced the Emergency Broadband Benefit (EBB) program at the start of 2022. The ACP was an extension of the EBB program, put in place by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.
The ACP offered a monthly maximum discount of $30 for broadband services ($75 for those on tribal lands) that qualified. The program also granted a one-time discount of up to $100 toward a new laptop, desktop, or tablet purchased from participating providers.
Funds for the program ran out in May 2024, and ACP ended on June 1, 2024. However, lawmakers are working on legislation to bring back and extend the program.
There are three forms of subsidized rental housing: privately owned subsidized housing, the housing choice voucher (HCV) program (formerly Section 8), and U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) public housing.
With privately owned housing, you find the housing you want and apply for it at the rental office. You can search for housing at Resources.HUD.gov. With HCV, you find your apartment or house, and then the government pays the amount you qualify for while you pay the difference.
HUD public housing, often used by people who don't qualify for Section 8 housing, requires you to rent from a local public housing authority based on your income. Wait times for HCV and public housing programs may be long, depending on where you apply.
To be eligible for privately owned subsidized housing, you must:
To be eligible for housing choice or HUD public housing, you must:
As noted above, you apply for privately owned housing at the rental office. For the other two programs:
The table below compares all three housing programs and the requirements for each.
| Program | Low Income | Family/ Elderly/ Disabled | Renter Finds Unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Private subsidized | Yes | No | Yes |
| Housing choice voucher (HCV) | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Public housing | Yes | Yes | No |
Source: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development; USA.gov
HUD has several programs designed to help you purchase a home if you qualify.
One part of HUD, the Federal Housing Administration (FHA), insures mortgages, which makes it easier for buyers to become homeowners thanks to less strict eligibility requirements. The program is popular with first-time home buyers but not limited to them.
Eligibility for an FHA loan depends in part on your ability to post a down payment of 3.5% of the purchase price and have a credit score of at least 580. You must also make sure the home is priced within the loan limit for an FHA home in its location.
To apply for an FHA loan, you must find an approved FHA lender because the FHA doesn't lend the money itself. If you have good credit and the ability to pay 10% to 15% down, you may find a conventional loan is less expensive than an FHA-insured loan.
The HUD homeownership voucher program lets low-income families in the HCV program, including those in public housing, use their vouchers to meet monthly mortgage payments and other expenses when buying a home for the first time. Contact your local PHA to find out if your PHA offers this program.
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) offers home loan programs to active-duty service members, surviving spouses, and veterans. VA loans are provided by private lenders, with the VA guaranteeing a significant portion of the loan. A certificate of eligibility (COE) is required and can be applied for through the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Mortgage lending discrimination is illegal. If you think you've been discriminated against based on race, religion, sex, marital status, use of public assistance, national origin, disability, or age, there are steps you can take. One such step is to file a report to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau or with HUD.
In addition to housing programs administered by the federal government, state housing finance agencies and state HUD offices offer special programs, as well.
HUD also funds counseling agencies nationwide that advise on topics related to housing, including buying a home.
This table compares basic eligibility requirements for various government homeownership programs, including FICO credit score and debt-to-income ratio requirements.
| Program | FICO Credit Score | Debt-to-Income Ratio | Primary Residence |
|---|---|---|---|
| FHA | 500 or higher | 50% or less | Yes |
| Housing choice voucher (HCV) | PHA (Public Housing Agency) decision | PHA decision | Yes |
| Active-duty/veterans | 620 by lender | 41% | Yes |
Source: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development; U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
From emergency food needs to ongoing nutrition assistance, the federal government, in partnership with states, offers free and low-cost food programs for families and individuals.
If you need food quickly, the USDA maintains a National Hunger Hotline—866-3-HUNGRY (866-348-6479)—with information and eligibility requirements available in English and Spanish. The hotline, which will connect you with emergency food providers, government programs, and social service agencies, operates Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Eastern Time.
SNAP (previously called food stamps) helps needy families supplement their food budget to move toward self-sufficiency. Eligibility is determined by individual states that administer the program. You apply in the state where you live by contacting your state agency.
Some states allow online applications, while others require your physical presence.
WIC provides low-income women and their young children with healthy food, nutrition counseling, and referral to health, welfare, and social services agencies. WIC is a federal grant program administered by the government through 89 WIC agencies and approximately 47,000 authorized retailers.
To be eligible, the mother must be pregnant, nursing, or postpartum (up to six months after birth) with infants (up to a year old) or children (under the age of five). Additional income requirements are posted on the WIC FAQ web page.
Programs for school-age children include the National School Lunch Program (NSLP), the School Breakfast Program (SBP), and the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP). Eligibility requirements for all three programs are the same. Your child is entitled to free food if your family income falls below 130% of the federal poverty guidelines. If income is between 130% and 185% of guidelines, prices for meals are reduced.
The federal government sponsors two programs to get food to low-income older adults. The Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP) offers coupons to purchase fresh fruits, vegetables, honey, and herbs at farmers' markets, roadside stands, and farms.
The Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) provides healthy food every month. You must be 60 years of age or older and live in an area that offers either program to apply. Both programs have income limits. For more information, use the USDA's state contacts list.
The table below lists eligibility requirements for federal food programs.
| Program | Eligibility |
|---|---|
| SNAP | Must meet state-set guidelines |
| WIC | Women: Pregnant, breastfeeding, or postpartum; Children: Under five years old. Must meet additional WIC requirements |
| NSLP, SBP, and SFSP | Less than 130% of poverty guidelines: Free meals; 130% to 185% of poverty guidelines: reduced-price meals |
| CSFP | 60 or older and must meet state guidelines |
Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture
Six major government healthcare programs provide medical coveragene for low-income and older Americans, children, veterans, and those who have recently lost their jobs.
Medicare is a federal health insurance program primarily for those 65 and older. Medicare is commonly divided into four parts. Medicare Part A covers inpatient hospital stays and nursing care. Medicare Part B covers doctor's visits, tests, flu shots, physical therapy, and chemotherapy. Medicare Part C, otherwise known as Medicare Advantage, is Medicare Parts A and B coverage provided by a private insurer. Medicare Part D is Medicare's prescription drug benefit program, which is an optional benefit administered by private insurance companies.
Medicare is funded through a combination of payroll taxes and participant premiums, deductibles, and copays. Employees and employers each pay a 1.45% tax on all income, making the total Medicare tax 2.9%. If individuals earn over $200,000, they pay an additional 0.9%. This tax is levied only on employees, not employers.
Medicare's resources are pooled into trust funds: the Hospital Insurance Trust Fund, which funds Part A, and the Supplemental Medical Insurance Trust Fund, which is funded by premiums and other income, pays for Parts B and D.
If you are still working and covered by employer health insurance when you are three months away from your 65th birthday, discuss your Medicare options and requirements with your human resources department. You can also consult "How to Apply for Medicare Only" on the Social Security website.
Healthcare.gov is home to the Health Insurance Marketplace, created by the Affordable Care Act (ACA), an Obama administration program designed to make affordable health insurance available to uninsured Americans. Anyone who doesn't have health insurance can obtain coverage through the Marketplace. Those who fall below certain income limits can receive subsidies that lower the cost of coverage.
The Marketplace normally has an annual enrollment period to obtain or change coverage. For 2025, open enrollment begins Nov. 1, 2024 and runs through Jan. 15, 2025.
Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) are related but have slightly different requirements. Medicaid is for low-income families and individuals. CHIP is for dependents under age 19 whose parents earn too much to qualify for Medicaid but not enough to pay for private health insurance coverage.
Both programs are federally funded in part and run at the state level. Each state has its own rules but must follow federal guidelines. You can apply for Medicaid and CHIP through the ACA Health Insurance Marketplace or your state Medicaid agency.
The primary criteria to receive VA healthcare benefits are that you are a military veteran or former member of the National Guard or Reserve who served on active duty and was not dishonorably discharged. Specific eligibility depends on when you served and for how long. The rules are complicated but well explained on the VA's website.
Health coverage under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) is mandated by federal law for employees (and their dependents) when they lose their job or experience a reduction in work hours. One huge downside to COBRA coverage is the cost. When you lose your job, whatever amount your employer was contributing toward your health insurance goes away, and you have to pay the entire cost yourself.
State health departments offer programs in addition to those available at the federal level. Use the USA.gov state health departments link to find out what is offered in your state, information about eligibility requirements, and how to apply.
The primary government retirement programs are Social Security for most citizens 65 and over who qualify through their work history and the Federal Employee Retirement System (FERS) for certain government employees who are not covered by Social Security.
If you have paid into the Social Security system for at least 10 years, you can apply for Social Security retirement benefits for yourself or as a spouse if you meet the following four requirements:
You can also apply for Medicare when you apply for Social Security if you are within three months of age 65.
FERS, which replaced the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) in 1987, provides benefits to civilian government workers through three programs: a Basic Benefit Plan, Social Security, and the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP).
Your age and number of years of service determine eligibility for FERS benefits. The CSRS and FERS planning and applying websites provide complete information depending on how close you are to retirement.
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) sponsors several tax-assistance programs to make federal and, in some cases, state tax filing easier and possibly free.
If your adjusted gross income (AGI) is $79,000 or below, you can file federal, and in many cases, state returns, online at no cost. The process and what you need to have to file are all explained on the IRS website about Free File.
With income above $79,000, you can still use the Free File Fillable Forms tool to prepare your taxes as long as you are comfortable doing your taxes yourself and don't require assistance. The fillable forms tool lets you file electronically but does not include state forms.
The IRS has two in-person tax assistance programs: the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program and the Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE). Both offer free tax-preparation assistance to qualified individuals. VITA generally applies to you if your income is $60,000 or less, you are disabled, or you have limited English-speaking skills. TCE is for citizens aged 60 or older.
You can find VITA and TCE program sites using either the IRS TCE/VITA locator tool or the AARP Foundation Tax-Aide site locator tool.
Small businesses are the beneficiaries of several long-standing government assistance loan programs, most of them originating from the Small Business Administration (SBA).
The USDA offers several programs aimed at all sectors of the agricultural community. Programs include farm loans, housing assistance, loans and grants for rural economic development, loans for beginning farmers and ranchers, livestock insurance, and more. Detailed information on all USDA programs, including how to apply, can be found on the USDA Grants and Loans program web page.
The Small Business Lending Fund (SBLF), created as part of the Small Business Jobs Act of 2010, is a dedicated fund that provides capital to community banks and community development loan funds (CDLFs) to encourage those organizations to lend to small businesses. Frequently asked questions about this fund can be found on the U.S. Treasury Small Business Lending Fund website.
People looking for government assistance sometimes come across ads for free government grants. However, the government does not award grants to individuals. It only awards them to states, universities, and other organizations. Anyone who suggests otherwise is probably running a scam. If you receive such an offer, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) suggests the following dos and don'ts:
There are many government assistance programs available in the U.S. Some of these are Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Veterans Administration Healthcare, and food program waivers. Spending time researching what programs are available in the areas where you need assistance could help ease your financial burden.
If you are in need of urgent financial help, there are a number of government programs that can provide it quickly. These include food assistance (USDA National Hunger Hotline), money to help with utility bills (Emergency Home Energy Assistance Program benefits), and housing assistance (Emergency Housing Voucher Program).
In August 2022, President Biden announced a plan for student loan forgiveness for up to $20,000 in federal loans per borrower. Although the federal courts blocked the student loan forgiveness plan, the administration created the SAVE plan to forgive student debt and change Department of Education rules to ease student debt burdens.
However, in July 2024, a federal appeals court blocked the SAVE plan. The Department of Education moved borrowers enrolled in the SAVE plan into an interest-free forbearance. It has also outlined options for borrowers who were nearing Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)—borrowers can either "buy back" months of PSLF credit if they reach 120 months of payments while in forbearance or switch to a different IDR plan.
There are many federal and state government assistance programs available to individuals and businesses. If you need assistance, the links above will help you obtain more information about programs you may qualify for and how to apply for them.
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