CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) RESOURCE CENTER Read More

Financial Assistance

    Results: 40

  • Benefits Screening (27)
    PH-0700

    Benefits Screening

    PH-0700

    Programs that provide benefits screening services which help individuals determine whether they are eligible for benefits through any of a wide variety of public and private federal, state and local programs. In addition to identifying the programs that a person may be eligible to receive, the service generally also provides a detailed description of the programs, local contacts for additional information (typically the addresses and phone numbers of where to apply for the programs), and materials to help successfully apply for each program. Included are programs that provide this service online and those that do benefits screening via the telephone or in-person. Some benefits screening programs may focus on specific populations such as older adults and people with disabilities; or specific aspects of benefits eligibility such as the impact that working will have on their benefits as an aid to helping people make informed decisions regarding whether to work. Also included are programs that help people complete the benefits screening form.
  • Burial Benefits (15)
    NS-1000

    Burial Benefits

    NS-1000

    Public programs that pay a portion of the funeral expenses of individuals who qualify, i.e., persons entitled to Social Security and/or veteran benefits.
  • Cash Assistance Program for Immigrants (13)
    NL-1000.2400-150

    Cash Assistance Program for Immigrants

    NL-1000.2400-150

    State and local programs that provide ongoing cash assistance for immigrants who meet the basic requirements for SSI but cannot receive SSI due to their immigrant status. Applicants must meet age or disability requirements and must have lawfully entered the U.S. on or before a specified date or have a sponsor who is deceased, has a disability or is abusive.
  • Child Care Expense Assistance (37)
    NL-3000.1500

    Child Care Expense Assistance

    NL-3000.1500

    Programs that cover all or part of the cost of child care in public and licensed private child care centers or private family child care homes, usually for low-income families or families which include children with disabilities in situations where parents are working, in school or in a training program. Also included are programs that pay the costs of in-home or out-of-home child care when the parent is receiving diagnostic tests, undergoing medical treatment, is hospitalized or needs to be out of the house for other reasons; and those that provide financial assistance to families with young children to help cover some of the costs of a parent staying home to care for their child.
  • Community Economic Development and Finance (35)
    TB

    Community Economic Development and Finance

    TB

    Programs that provide a variety of services and activities that are intended to stimulate the economy; expand employment opportunities; encourage the establishment and growth of commerce and industry; improve the physical infrastructure through redevelopment; support the development, finance, management and preservation of affordable housing; and otherwise enhance the economic development of the community. Many programs focus on impoverished communities and are structured to prevent the outflow of community dollars and to retain and recycle income within the community by investing in the development of local institutions and businesses and thereby creating local jobs, sustaining local services and building a healthier local economy. Also included are the institutions that the financial sector comprises and the services they provide for businesses and the general public.
  • Credit Related Organizations/Services (15)
    DM-1500

    Credit Related Organizations/Services

    DM-1500

    Programs that provide services which relate to the limited lines of credit made available to consumers when they obtain a credit card or a loan from their bank or another financial institution. Credit cards allow consumers to purchase goods and services under an agreement where they repay all or a portion of the outstanding balance on a regular basis at an established interest rate.
  • Debt Management (21)
    DM-1800

    Debt Management

    DM-1800

    Programs that provide assistance for individuals who are having difficulty meeting their financial obligations and, as a result, may be faced with bankruptcy or loss of their home or property.
  • Discount/Rebate Programs (2)
    BM-1700

    Discount/Rebate Programs

    BM-1700

    Programs that offer a special pricing structure for their own or a broader array of goods and services which may be open to the general public, be available to members only or be restricted to children, older adults or other age groups, people with disabilities (and their accompanying attendants, where applicable) or others designated by the program. Also included are programs that offer rebates on purchases consumer goods.
  • EBT Card Services (3)
    NL-1900

    EBT Card Services

    NL-1900

    Programs that provide information for EBT Card clients that enables them to report lost or stolen electronic benefit transfer (EBT) cards, obtain replacement cards, identify locations in their area where they can withdraw cash benefits, check their account balance, view their transaction history and/or determine the status of a claim. EBT cards are used in all states for Food Stamps (SNAP) issuance, and in some cases for other programs such as the USDA's Special Supplemental Food Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) and the Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) program, the Federal block-grant program operated by the Department of Health and Human Services to provide cash assistance to needy families. The cards allow public assistance recipients to collect cash and Food Stamp benefits at automated teller machines (ATMs) or point of sale (POS) equipment that is located in grocery stores, banks and other commercial locations.
  • Economic Self Sufficiency Programs (6)
    PH-2360.2000

    Economic Self Sufficiency Programs

    PH-2360.2000

    Programs that assist low-income single parents, teen parents, displaced homemakers, public assistance recipients or other targeted individuals and families to achieve economic independence and long-term stability through an integrated group of services which may include education and job training, microenterprise development, mentoring services, life skills training, personal enrichment classes, counseling services, parenting skills development, legal assistance, housing assistance, child care and transportation assistance, information and referral and advocacy. The services may be delivered using an intensive case management model which involves assignment of a case manager, development of an individualized case plan and assessment of progress in meeting agreed upon goals and objectives.
  • General Relief (10)
    NL-1000.2500

    General Relief

    NL-1000.2500

    An income maintenance program administered and funded entirely by the county that provides basic financial assistance for people who are indigent, usually adults who have no minor children in the home and are ineligible for any of the federally-funded cash grant programs. Services available through the program vary by jurisdiction, but may include cash allowances for qualifying individuals who have targeted special needs, emergency assistance in the form of temporary housing for people who are homeless and the means to return to the state of legal residence for people who are stranded.
  • Home Maintenance and Minor Repair Grants/Loans (2)
    PH-3300.2740

    Home Maintenance and Minor Repair Grants/Loans

    PH-3300.2740

    Programs that provide small grants or loans that help homeowners who qualify (often older adults and people in emergency situations) pay for minor home repair services such as roof repairs, window replacements or repairs to septic tanks. Specific services covered by the programs and eligibility criteria vary. Also included are programs that provide grants or loans for the construction, repair and/or sealing of household water well systems, primarily in eligible rural areas.
  • Home Purchase/Mortgage Refinance Loans (17)
    BH-3500.3400

    Home Purchase/Mortgage Refinance Loans

    BH-3500.3400

    Programs that provide loans for people who want to buy their own homes or arrange refinancing of their mortgages.
  • Housing Down Payment Loans/Grants (2)
    BH-3500.3500

    Housing Down Payment Loans/Grants

    BH-3500.3500

    Programs that provide cash grants or loans for people who want to purchase or build a home and need all or a portion of the amount that is required to make a down payment on the home or property. Included are conventional loans, deferred loans (in which payments are deferred until the home is sold) and forgivable loans (in which all or a part of the loan is forgiven if the borrower resides in the home for a specified period of time).
  • Housing Expense Assistance (23)
    BH-3800

    Housing Expense Assistance

    BH-3800

    Programs that pay current housing bills or finance new living accommodations for people who are otherwise unable to provide for their housing needs. Housing expense assistance programs may have age, income, disability, need or other eligibility requirements.
  • In Home Supportive Services Subsidies (6)
    NL-3000.3300

    In Home Supportive Services Subsidies

    NL-3000.3300

    A program administered by the county that provides financial assistance which enables people who are aged, blind or have a disability, are limited in their ability to care for themselves and cannot live safely at home without assistance to obtain homemakers or chore workers to help them in their homes. To be eligible, recipients must meet income and resource guidelines which in some states are tied to Supplemental Security Income (SSI/SSP) eligibility. People who receive SSI/SSP automatically meet the program's financial need requirement. Those whose income is higher than the limits for SSI/SSP may still be eligible, but may be required to pay for part of the services they receive. In addition to the monthly income limits, there are also limits on the amount of resources a person can own and still receive these benefits. Resources include items such as savings, investments, and certain types of property and personal possessions. Eligibility requirements vary by state as do the types of services that can be authorized.
  • Medicaid (138)
    NL-5000.5000

    Medicaid

    NL-5000.5000

    A combined federal and state program administered by the state that provides medical benefits for individuals and families with limited incomes who fit into an eligibility group that is recognized by federal and state law. Each state sets its own guidelines regarding eligibility and services within parameters established at the federal level. Many people are covered by Medicaid, though within these groups, certain additional requirements must be met. Eligibility factors include people's age, whether they are pregnant, have a disability, are blind, or aged; their income and resources (like bank accounts, real property or other items that can be sold for cash); and whether they are U.S. citizens or lawfully admitted immigrants. Families who are receiving benefits through TANF and individuals who receive SSI as aged, blind and disabled are categorically eligible groups. The rules for counting a person's income and resources vary from state to state and from group to group. There are special rules for those who live in nursing homes, for people served under the Medicaid Waiver program, for people served by Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) programs and for children with disabilities living at home. Medicaid makes payments directly to a person's health care provider; and some recipients may be asked to pay a small part of the cost (co-payment) for some medical services. Most states have additional "state-only" programs to provide medical assistance for specified low-income persons who do not qualify for the Medicaid program.
  • Medical Expense Assistance (26)
    LH-5100

    Medical Expense Assistance

    LH-5100

    Programs that pay the health care expenses of people who are unable to obtain necessary care without assistance. Medical expense assistance programs may have age, income, disability, need or other eligibility requirements.
  • Mental Health Expense Assistance (2)
    RR-5050

    Mental Health Expense Assistance

    RR-5050

    Programs that pay the mental health care expenses of people who are unable to obtain necessary care without assistance. Mental health expense assistance programs may have age, income, disability, need or other eligibility requirements.
  • Military Retirement Benefits (1)
    NS-7000.5000

    Military Retirement Benefits

    NS-7000.5000

    A program administered by the U.S. Department of Defense that provides retirement benefits to members of any of the branches of the military within DoD who have 20 cumulative years of active service. Retirees are eligible to receive benefits immediately regardless of their age at the point of retirement.
  • Native American General Assistance (1)
    NL-1000.6000

    Native American General Assistance

    NL-1000.6000

    Programs administered by the federal Bureau of Indian Affairs or state or local entities that provide financial assistance and a variety of social services to meet the basic needs of eligible American Indians living on or near reservations or in other urban or rural settings.
  • PACE Programs (4)
    NL-5000.6800

    PACE Programs

    NL-5000.6800

    A capitated benefit authorized by the Balanced Budget Act of 1997 (BBA) that features a comprehensive service delivery system and integrated Medicare and Medicaid financing. For most participants, the comprehensive service package permits them to continue living at home while receiving services rather than being institutionalized. Capitated financing allows providers to deliver all services participants need rather than being limited to those reimbursable under the Medicare and Medicaid fee-for-service systems. The BBA established the PACE model of care as a permanent entity within the Medicare program and enables States to provide PACE services to Medicaid beneficiaries as a State option. The State plan must include PACE as an optional Medicaid benefit before it can enter into program agreements with PACE providers. Participants must be at least 55 years of age, live in the PACE service area, and be certified as eligible for nursing home care by the appropriate State agency. The PACE program becomes the sole source of services for Medicare and Medicaid eligible enrollees. PACE programs provide social and medical services primarily in an adult day health center, supplemented by in-home and referral services in accordance with the participant's needs. The care is overseen by an interdisciplinary team, consisting of professional and paraprofessional staff.
  • Personal Finances Administration (1)
    DM-6000

    Personal Finances Administration

    DM-6000

    Programs that help people develop a plan for managing their money and that assume responsibility for investing the funds and/or making the payments on the individual's behalf in accordance with the plan.
  • Personal Financial Counseling (31)
    DM-6500

    Personal Financial Counseling

    DM-6500

    Programs that help people who are having difficulty paying their monthly bills gain control of their finances. The process generally involves analysis of the individual's income, expenses, debts, taxes and other factors to create a personal financial assessment; development of a budget for basic living expenses; and agreement on a short-term plan for repayment of creditors which may include debt consolidation or other strategies and a longer term plan for realizing personal financial goals.
  • Public Assistance Overpayment Recovery Programs (5)
    NL-6500

    Public Assistance Overpayment Recovery Programs

    NL-6500

    Programs that are responsible for identifying situations in which public assistance benefits recipients have received more than the amount to which they are entitled, investigating the cause (generally client error, administrative error or fraud) and pursuing recovery of the overpayment amount. Clients are entitled to a fair hearing and have a variety of repayment options. Cases involving fraud are referred for further action. Recipients may also be required to repay public assistance benefits in situations where they experience a financial windfall, e.g., lottery winnings, an inheritance or the proceeds from a lawsuit.
  • Refugee/Entrant Cash Assistance (3)
    NL-1000.7000

    Refugee/Entrant Cash Assistance

    NL-1000.7000

    Federal income maintenance programs administered by the county that provide time-limited financial assistance for refugees and eligible entrants while they are in the process of resettling in the United States.
  • Retirement Planning (1)
    DM-7150

    Retirement Planning

    DM-7150

    Programs that help people of all ages plan financially for retirement. Services may include a review of existing assets, retirement goals and expected retirement income and assets; analysis of options which may include work-related and individual retirement accounts, investments, savings accounts, trusts, annuities and insurance policies; and assistance in formulating strategies for money management, asset growth and protection, and realistic goal setting based on the client's age, current lifestyle, financial obligations and future earnings potential.
  • Social Security Retirement Benefits (12)
    NS-7000.8000

    Social Security Retirement Benefits

    NS-7000.8000

    A program administered by the Social Security Administration that provides monthly cash payments (sometimes called old-age insurance benefits) for people age 62 and older who are fully insured. Workers may retire at age 62 and receive a reduced benefit or may wait until age 65 and receive a full benefit. Benefit amounts depend upon wages earned and the number of quarters of coverage credited to the individual's Social Security record.
  • SSI (19)
    NL-1000.8100

    SSI

    NL-1000.8100

    A federal income maintenance program administered by the Social Security Administration that provides basic financial assistance in the form of monthly checks for people who are age 65 and older, blind or have a disability and who have little or no income and resources. Some states supplement SSI checks for certain categories of recipients. If the state's supplemental payment is federally administered, individuals are automatically assessed for SSP eligibility when they apply for SSI and the supplemental payment is included in their SSI check. If a state administers its own supplemental payments, individuals must apply separately at the state agency.
  • Student Financial Aid (36)
    HL-8000

    Student Financial Aid

    HL-8000

    Programs that enable students who demonstrate financial need to obtain the financial assistance they require to meet their educational and living expenses while in school. Most students receive a financial aid package which includes aid from a combination of sources that may include loans, scholarships, grants, work-study awards, and fellowships or assistantships for graduate students. Also included are programs that help current and former students make arrangements to defer, repay or obtain forgiveness for student loans.
  • Student Financial Aid Offices (2)
    HL-8010

    Student Financial Aid Offices

    HL-8010

    Offices in educational institutions that provide information about scholarships, grants, loans and work opportunities that may be available; and help students assess their eligibility for financial assistance, complete their applications and secure the resources they need to pursue their education.
  • Survivors Insurance (14)
    NS-8200

    Survivors Insurance

    NS-8200

    Public social insurance programs that replace income lost to dependents because of a worker's death. Monthly cash benefits are paid to the eligible dependents of deceased workers.
  • TANF (31)
    NL-1000.8500

    TANF

    NL-1000.8500

    A state program with matching federal block grant funds administered by the county or the state under state guidelines that provides time-limited cash assistance for needy families with (or expecting) children as well as job preparation, work opportunities and access to supportive services such as child care which enable parents receiving assistance to leave the program and become self-sufficient. TANF, which ends the federal entitlement known as AFDC, creates a five-year lifetime limit on cash assistance for most adult recipients; requires that recipients be working or participating in a work-related activity within two years and cooperate with comprehensive child support enforcement efforts including paternity establishment; and contains special live at home and stay in school provisions for teenage parents. States have wide latitude in structuring their TANF programs and may obtain waivers which exempt them from specific federal requirements. Recipients may receive monthly checks or be given electronic benefit transfer (EBT) cards which allow them to access their cash benefits at automated teller machines (ATMs) or point of sale (POS) equipment that is located in grocery stores, banks and other commercial locations.
  • Tax Organizations and Services (49)
    DT

    Tax Organizations and Services

    DT

    Organizations that assess and collect taxes from individuals, businesses, corporations and other entities; supply copies of appropriate tax forms and tax relief application documents; provide information and guidance on an individual or group basis for people who need to understand the implications of the tax laws for individuals in their situation; help people prepare and file their annual tax returns; and/or provide assistance to people who want to appeal an assessment or prepare for an audit.
  • Temporary Financial Assistance (21)
    NT

    Temporary Financial Assistance

    NT

    Programs that provide assistance for people who are experiencing an unexpected financial shortfall and have insufficient resources to obtain essential services or to meet expenses in situations where financial assistance related to their specific circumstance is unavailable. Monetary assistance may be in the form of cash, loans, checks or vouchers.
  • Transportation Expense Assistance (27)
    BT-8300

    Transportation Expense Assistance

    BT-8300

    Programs that provide immediate cash, bus tokens, loans, loan/insurance payment support or other forms of financial assistance for people who otherwise have no means of transportation. Transportation expense assistance programs may have age, income, disability, need or other eligibility requirements.
  • Utility Assistance (30)
    BV-8900

    Utility Assistance

    BV-8900

    Programs that provide financial assistance for people who are at risk for having their utilities shut off; offer discounted utility services; provide disconnection protection; arrange for notification regarding pending disconnection; make available special services such as large print utility bills or levalized energy bill payment arrangements which support people's ability to make their payments; or supply wood, propane, butane or other fuel for heating or cooking purposes in situations where people have no other means of acquiring them. Utility assistance programs may have age, income, disability, need or other eligibility requirements.
  • Veteran Compensation and Pension Benefits (4)
    NS-1800.9000

    Veteran Compensation and Pension Benefits

    NS-1800.9000

    Programs administered by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs that provide monthly payments to veterans who are disabled and were discharged under other than dishonorable conditions, their dependent children, surviving spouses and parents. Included are compensation benefits for veterans with service-connected disabilities; and pension benefits for veterans with limited incomes who are age 65 or older or are permanently and totally disabled as a result of a condition not related to military service. Veterans who are more seriously disabled may qualify for Aid and Attendance or Housebound benefits which are paid in addition to the basic compensation or pension rate. A veteran cannot receive both Aid and Attendance and Housebound benefits at the same time.
  • Veteran Life Insurance (3)
    NS-4500.9000

    Veteran Life Insurance

    NS-4500.9000

    A post-separation insurance program administered by the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs that allows service members to convert their Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance (SGLI) coverage to renewable term insurance, Veterans' Group Life Insurance (VGLI). Members with full-time SGLI coverage are eligible for VGLI upon release from service and have one year and 120 days from the time of discharge to file their application. VGLI coverage is issued in multiples of $10,000 up to a maximum of $400,000. However, a service member's VGLI coverage amount cannot exceed the amount of SGLI they had in force at the time of separation from service. VGLI premiums are based upon the separating member's age. VA also manages life insurance programs for veterans of World War I, World War II and the Korean Conflict and for service disabled veterans of the Vietnam Conflict; and provides mortgage protection life insurance under a group policy for those disabled veterans who are given a VA grant to secure specially adapted housing.
  • WIC (39)
    NL-6000.9500

    WIC

    NL-6000.9500

    A public health nutrition program administered by the USDA Food and Nutrition Service that provides nutrition education, nutritious foods, breastfeeding support and health care referrals for income-eligible pregnant or postpartum women, infants and children up to age five. Foster parents, grandparents, guardians and single fathers who have custody of their children may also be eligible to receive food assistance for children up to age five if they meet income guidelines. WIC provides specific foods to supplement the dietary needs of participants to ensure good health and development. Food packages typically include iron-fortified infant cereal, milk, cheese, eggs, whole grains, peanut butter, beans, fruits, vegetables and juice. Families can shop for WIC foods at most grocery stores using a WIC electronic transfer benefit (EBT) card or vouchers.