Millions of dollars in financial assistance go unclaimed every year. The sad truth is, most people don’t even know these programs exist. If you’re barely making ends meet and feel stressed about paying bills, rent, or affording groceries; you’re not alone. And chances are, you qualify for financial assistance you’ve never heard of.
These are real programs available to American families right now. They’re not secret; you just don’t know about them. Here’s what you need to know.
LIHEAP: Heating and Cooling Assistance Program
Summer heats up, and winter blasts are notoriously expensive. If you’re a low-income household that struggles to pay utility bills each month, LIHEAP can help.
LIHEAP stands for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program. It provides financial assistance to pay electricity and gas bills. They can also help with emergency energy situations, such as utility shutoffs.
The program is federally funded but administered by each state. So, qualifications and benefits differ from place to place. But almost every state offers rolling enrollment so that you can apply at any time.
You can apply by visiting your state’s social services website or benefits.gov to search for assistance in your area.
Lifeline: Reduced Cell Phone and Internet Program
Having a phone these days is more important than ever. Whether you’re applying for jobs or checking in with doctors, staying connected is critical.
The Lifeline Program provides free phone and discounted internet service to qualifying Americans on a limited income.
A lot of people don’t realize this program is available to them. But if you bring home less than 135% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines per year at your household, you qualify. So does anyone who receives SNAP benefits or Medicaid.
”A lot of people who qualify for Lifeline don’t apply because they think they don’t qualify,” said a consumer financial advocate. “The best part is it only takes about 10 minutes to check if you qualify online.”
Earned Income Tax Credit
Tax season is another great opportunity to access financial assistance. A lot of people know about tax credits for first-time homeowners and students… but did you know about the Earned Income Tax Credit?
It’s one of the most significant refundable tax credits most people have never heard of. And it could give you thousands of dollars back come tax time.
The Earned Income Tax Credit (aka EITC) provides qualifying people who work with a refundable tax credit. In other words, you don’t have to owe any taxes to benefit from the EITC.
The IRS estimates that each year, about 1 in 5 people who qualify for EITC don’t claim it. In recent years, over 27 million taxpayers claimed the EITC and received an average rebate of $2,318.
The amount you qualify for depends on your income, filing status, and the number of children in your household. Families with three or more kids qualifying for the EITC received over $7,000 in recent years. People who file taxes as “Single” with 0 qualifying children received several hundred dollars on average.
You don’t need to inquire about EITC separately. When you file your taxes, simply check the box that says you want to claim the Earned Income Tax Credit. Or use a free filing service like IRS Free File, which will guide you through the process.
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
You’ve likely heard of TANF. And you may have mistakenly written the program off as just another welfare program.
While TANF does provide cash assistance to eligible families, it’s important to know how those funds can be utilized. Each state provides benefits differently.
Some use TANF funds to provide job training, childcare support, assistance with medical expenses, and transportation costs. Think of TANF as a handshake. Not a handout.
”TANF is meant to help families succeed long term. If you only take the check and do not utilize other services your local social service office offers, you’re missing out,” says a Family Support Services Coordinator.
As of 2024, the average monthly benefit across the median state was about $549. But many programs attached to TANF are far more valuable than cash alone.
BenefitsFinder from The U.S. Government
Wondering where to start? Benefits Finder is a tool provided by the U.S. government that will ask you a series of questions. Then, output every program you qualify for.
Whether you need help with food, health care, housing, or even money for school, Benefits Finder will show you every program for which you qualify.
From start to finish, it takes about five minutes. And it might open the door to hundreds or thousands of dollars in benefits. Take advantage of help when you need it. You shouldn’t have to struggle to make ends meet.
Explore our website for guides on applying for help and what programs you can qualify for. There’s help out there, and let us help you find it.