The US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) funds a free benefit for low-income families to receive assistance through the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program. The program gives grant money to state and territorial governments, which administer programs and services to benefit eligible families. Although requirements and resources vary depending on where you live, eligibility centers around income and residency.
Tag: government program
How the Federal ACP Could Help Your Family Afford Internet
In the age of technology, accessing the Internet to connect with the online world is essential. Unfortunately, the expense can be too much for many Americans who fall below certain income levels, cutting them off from news, banking, education, healthcare, and work. In March, the Federal Communication Commission (FCC) implemented the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), making the Internet accessible to more people across the country.
Extensions to Emergency Rental Assistance Programs Might Help You
The US Treasury Department supplied emergency rental assistance (ERA) funds to those in need as part of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. Some states have opted out of the program, so the state-administered plan isn’t available everywhere. Still, private agencies may provide funding in some locations through the end of 2022.
How Housing Choice Vouchers Help Tenants Find Accessible Rentals
The US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) provides federal funding to local public housing agencies (PHAs) which administer its housing voucher program, sometimes referred to as a Section 8 benefit. These allowances financially supplement qualified families and individuals to obtain PHA-approved rentals in their area. The vouchers allow recipients greater choice in where they live and the variety of accommodations they can rent.
Could You Qualify for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)?
Energy can be one of the biggest expenses depending on where you live and the time of year. Many people aren’t aware they might qualify for assistance through a federal plan, the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). The benefit can help you pay the bills you have to heat and cool your home and also provides help with “energy-related home repairs.” You may already qualify if you receive other low-income benefits like Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) or the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP).
Can the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Help Your Family?
The US federal government developed a program that helps low-income families “buy nutritious food” — the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) funds SNAP, previously referred to as food stamps, and individual states administer the benefit to give eligible people the means to feed themselves and their families. To qualify, you must meet certain income levels, resource limits, work parameters, and other conditions which may vary by location and year.
Do You Qualify to Start an Individual Development Account? Here’s How It Might Help
If you struggle with saving money, there is a program that might help you reach your financial goals. An individual development account (IDA) is a special kind of savings account that matches every dollar you save with four times that amount. Each sponsoring partnership differs depending on where you live, so qualification parameters may vary, but you generally have to meet income requirements to participate.
Could the Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) Help You?
The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) is a governmental initiative that allows the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) to buy nutritious provisions and supply them to low-income families for free. Although the program doesn’t directly feed the hungry, it furnishes other associations so they can provide for the needy within each state. To receive the assistance, you must meet the state’s criteria, which vary, but center around income, generally at or below 185% of the federal poverty guidelines.