(DailyAnswer.org) – As countless American families know, keeping themselves and their loved ones safe, healthy, and happy is often harder than it needs to be. To soften the burden, US and various administrative agencies provide federal assistance programs, and there are several oriented particularly to the needs of struggling families.
Depending on the program, participant benefits are usually funded through a combination of federal and state (or other local) taxes, while some are funded solely by federal tax funds. Generally, program eligibility is based on family size, income levels, and risk factors relevant to the type of program being offered (e.g., current living conditions, health, or legal status).
Federal and State Assistance Programs for Families
Families facing distressing conditions or at risk of serious hardships owe it to themselves to do everything in their power to maintain their health and safety. Some of the most heavily funded federal assistance programs that struggling families might benefit from include:
- Medicaid — Medicaid and related programs offer numerous mandatory and optional benefits provided by local jurisdictions receiving Medicaid funding. Exactly which services are offered is determined by the states, and they change somewhat frequently. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) provides a screening tool to see if you’re eligible, and you can submit your application through Medicaid.gov.
- Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) — LIHEAP is a federally funded program to reduce the costs of energy bills, home weatherization, and energy-related home repairs. Eligibility limits are generally anywhere between 60% of the State Median Income and 150% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines, depending on the state, though it’s run through the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
- Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) — Also funded by the HHS, TANF (aka welfare) gives cash assistance payments to low-income families. It also provides a range of services, aimed at:
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- Promoting job preparation
- Ending dependency on government benefits
- Preventing out-of-wedlock pregnancies
- Placing at-risk children in relatives’ homes
- The exact services and eligibility requirements are handled by local jurisdictions receiving federal TANF grants.
- Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Program — Commonly known as Section 8, the HCV program provides vouchers to renters at or below 50% of the median income level within their local Public Housing Authority’s (PHA). The vouchers can be used to offset a portion of rent with participating landlords who have been screened by inspectors with the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
- The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) — SNAP benefits, or food stamps, are given based on household size, income level, and the costs of the US Department of Agriculture’s (USDA’s) “Thrifty Food Plan” (based on one’s costs of living). Eligibility and assistance levels are based on a number of factors, including participants’ spending, food consumption, and other individual matters – but also the role of regional factors, such as food availability and costs, and how they impact behavioral economics.
Unlike most other major federal programs for families, the benefits calculations and eligibility requirements for SNAP are mostly uniform across the US.
Program Eligibility
Generally, these and most other federal programs are available to US citizens and those with particular immigration status who meet maximum income limits, and family size, needs, and unique risks are also taken into account. Normally, eligibility is handled by local administrators working through state agencies, but some programs, like SNAP, are set only at the federal level.
These are just several of the major government-assistance programs struggling families may find beneficial. There are often even multiple programs for each type of need. For instance, food assistance programs include SNAP, school meals, and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). Housing programs include eviction and foreclosure assistance, as well as direct subsidies for specific housing units.
To learn more or find other benefits programs that may help you and your family, visit USA.gov/Benefits, or call 1-844-USAGOV1.
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