Starting From $0
Help with government benefits.
What exists, and what you might qualify for.
What to do today
- USAGov's benefits finder indexes federal programs in plain language.
- SNAP, Medicaid, WIC, LIHEAP, Lifeline and childcare subsidies share similar income tests — qualifying for one often signals others.
- Never pay anyone to apply for public benefits. Applications are free, always.
Programs worth checking
You may qualify depending on income, household size, disability status, age, location, and other factors. Programs and rules change by state and year — the official link is the authority.
USAGov benefits finder
OfficialThe federal government's plain-language index of benefit programs (successor to Benefits.gov) — food, housing, health, cash, disability.
Who may qualify: Everyone; it's a directory.
SNAP (food stamps)
OfficialMonthly grocery money on an EBT card, usable at most grocery stores and many farmers markets.
Who may qualify: Households under state income limits — many WORKING households qualify. You may qualify depending on income, household size, disability status, age, location, and other factors. Programs and rules change by state and year — the official link is the authority.
Medicaid
OfficialFree or very-low-cost health coverage. In many states, coverage can be retroactive up to three months before you applied.
Who may qualify: Income-based; expanded in most states. Apply any time of year — job loss and income drops are exactly when to (re)apply. You may qualify depending on income, household size, disability status, age, location, and other factors. Programs and rules change by state and year — the official link is the authority.
SSI (Supplemental Security Income)
OfficialMonthly cash for people with very low income AND low assets who are 65+, blind, or disabled — separate from SSDI and no work history required.
Who may qualify: Strict income/asset limits. You may qualify depending on income, household size, disability status, age, location, and other factors. Programs and rules change by state and year — the official link is the authority.
SSDI (disability insurance)
OfficialMonthly benefits for people unable to work due to disability, based on prior work credits. Denials are common; appeals succeed regularly — deadlines matter.
Who may qualify: Workers with qualifying disability and work history. You may qualify depending on income, household size, disability status, age, location, and other factors. Programs and rules change by state and year — the official link is the authority.
TANF (cash assistance)
OfficialTemporary monthly cash help for very-low-income families with children, plus work-support services. Amounts and rules vary widely by state.
Who may qualify: Families with children under strict state income limits. You may qualify depending on income, household size, disability status, age, location, and other factors. Programs and rules change by state and year — the official link is the authority.
Lifeline (phone/internet discount)
OfficialMonthly discount on phone or internet service for qualifying households — a working number is job-search infrastructure.
Who may qualify: Income-based or via SNAP/Medicaid/SSI enrollment. You may qualify depending on income, household size, disability status, age, location, and other factors. Programs and rules change by state and year — the official link is the authority.
Findhelp (formerly Aunt Bertha)
NonprofitZIP-code search across food, housing, transit, care and legal programs — the widest local-program index outside 211.
Who may qualify: Everyone; it's a directory.