Are you ready to look for help when it comes to your lifestyle? If that is the case, then we have a possible opportunity that you should look into. That would be finding relief from the federal government. How do they help? The federal government funds different assistance programs for support that are the responsibility of participating states and territories. These programs can help you in almost any aspect that you are struggling with in life. We are here to give you an overview of the different federal programs available and the type of benefits that they offer. It might be a little stressful starting out since there are a lot of programs out there. However, you have nothing to lose when it comes to finding relief for you and your family.

Some Available Federally-Funded Programs

Let’s say that you are finally ready to look for assistance, but you don’t know where to start. The first thing you should do is find out what issues you are currently struggling with in your life. You can look at your goals and dreams, along with your current situation. If you want to achieve your dreams of graduating with higher education, then you can always consider Educational Grants. Furthermore, you can consider Housing Choice Voucher Program (Section 8) or the Lifeline Program, if you have housing issues or trouble with your phone/internet bills. As for basic needs, you can consider Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), or Medicaid for relief.

There are other opportunities from the federal government out there, but these are popular programs to consider. You should keep in mind that each program has a set of eligibility requirements that you need to meet. Additionally, you will need to go through the process of applying. Since each state has its own version of every program, you will probably need to contact the state agency that operates the program.

Lifeline Program

To start the application process, you will generally need to apply through their application system, National Verifier–you can get more information online and on the phone. This federal program offers monthly discounted prices that could reach $9.25 to those that qualify, with only one service per family. However, the discount changes when it comes to those that are living in tribal lands! If you and your family are staying in tribal lands, then you can get $34.25 as a discount. The Lifeline Program offers discounts on wireless or wireline services, along with broadband internet and voice services.

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

To know more, you can contact the SNAP office of your locality or state! SNAP is a federal program that offers nutritional support. How much a recipient can benefit from will be calculated based on several aspects of their lives. However, you should have an idea of how this program works! It works by offering monthly funds through an Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card. There are specific groceries that you can buy with your EBT card, including:

• Fresh vegetables and fruit
• Fresh meat, poultry, and fish
• Dairy and grain products
• Snacks
• Non-alcoholic beverages

Housing Choice Voucher Program (HCV)

If you want to apply for HCV, your local PHA will be able to help you out! If you cannot reach anyone from your local PHA, then an alternative would be reaching out to your local HUD Field Office. You’re probably wondering why you should contact these agencies. Well, the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development is responsible for funding this program, but local Public Housing Authorities (PHAs) manage the program. The HCV program, or the Section 8 program, offers housing vouchers to make housing affordable for those who qualify. However, there are factors that the program considers when it comes to qualifying. That could include:

• Citizenship status
• Family size
• Rental background
• Income level

Medicaid

To start the application process, your best option would be the Health Insurance Marketplace or contact the Medicaid agency of your state. The federal government and state government both fund the program, but each state operates it differently. That is why you should reach out to your state’s Medicaid agency. You will find, though, that each state and its program follow the regulations that the federal government sets. Medicaid is a public insurance program that covers health coverage for individuals that have limited income. Not to repeat ourselves, but you will need to qualify to get benefits from this program.

Educational Grants

There are several educational grants available for students to take advantage of. Each grant comes with its own criteria to qualify and grant terms, along with different methods of assistance. If you want to apply for any of these grants, then the first step is submitting the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The best part is that students that get these grants do not need to pay them off later! Additionally, you can find out more about these grants from the financial aid office of your school.

An Easy Option To Find Federal Assistance

Even though this article might be a great source of information, you should also look through federal resources. Furthermore, federal resources could be a great way to give out information on programs that are available and guide you through the program. However, the best and only way to know whether the program will accept you is when you apply.

A place of information is Benefits.gov, which offers details on more than 1,000 different assistance opportunities. There is a great tool from the website that can help you, which lets you fill out an application with personal details.

The tool is the Benefit Finder Tool, which is an easy and simple way to find different programs that apply to your current situation. To remind you, the Benefit Finder Tool does not guarantee your acceptance to these programs. It will only offer guidance and simplify the search process to find a good federal program to support you and your family.

Overall

Asking for help can be hard, but it might be necessary at times. If you are struggling to stay afloat, then you should look to the federal government for help. Now, the federal government offers many programs and it might get a little overwhelming to look for the right one. This is where Benefits.gov comes in handy, which allows you to filter through programs. There are two ways to look for the right program, which is based on the agency that offers assistance and the category you are struggling with. Furthermore, you can use the Benefit Finder Tool to make it easier for you. You should explore your options and look for the right opportunity to help you and your family!