Public benefits: one place to start
Find the US programmes worth checking, how to apply, and the official links.
Applying is free. This is not a government site, and nothing here decides if you qualify; only each programme can. Never pay anyone to apply for you.
Benefits finder
Answer a few questions to see which programmes are worth checking. Your answers stay on this page: nothing is sent or saved.
The finder compares your income with the 2026 federal poverty guideline for the 48 states and DC ($15,960 a year for one person, plus $5,680 for each extra person; HHS). Limits are higher in Alaska and Hawaii, and each programme counts income in its own way, so it shows programmes generously. It is a rough guide only.
How to apply, step by step
- Make a list. Use the finder above, call 211, or try USA.gov's benefit finder.
- Gather documents. Photo ID, Social Security numbers, proof of address, proof of income (recent pay slips or letters), rent and utility bills, and, if asked, proof of citizenship or eligible status.
- Apply on the official site, by phone or in person. In many states one application covers several programmes, such as SNAP and Medicaid.
- Keep a record. Save copies, confirmation numbers and the date you applied.
- Answer every letter and go to every interview. Missing one can close your application.
- If you are turned down, you can usually appeal. The letter gives the deadline. Free legal aid can help.
- Report changes and renew on time, or your benefits may stop.
Programmes
Jump to: Food · Health · Housing and bills · Income and work · Families and children · More help
Food
SNAP (food stamps)
Who: Households with low income. Limits are set by federal rules and your state.
How to apply: Apply to your state's SNAP office online, by phone or in person. Most people have a short interview.
WIC
Who: Pregnant women, new mothers, babies and children under 5 with low income.
How to apply: Contact your local WIC office. You will usually visit for a short check-up.
Free and reduced-price school meals
Who: School children in households with low income. Some schools give free meals to every pupil.
How to apply: Apply through your child's school or school district, any time in the school year.
Food banks and pantries
Who: Anyone who needs food. Most need no application.
How to apply: Find your local food bank; it lists pantries and meal sites near you.
Health
Medicaid and CHIP
Who: Adults, children, pregnant women, older adults and people with disabilities with low income. Rules vary by state.
How to apply: Apply any time of year through HealthCare.gov or your state Medicaid agency.
Marketplace health insurance
Who: People without health insurance through work or a government programme. Savings depend on income.
How to apply: Apply on HealthCare.gov during Open Enrollment each autumn and winter, or within 60 days of a life change such as losing coverage.
Community health centers
Who: Anyone, with or without insurance. Fees are based on what you can pay.
How to apply: Find a center near you and call to book.
Medicare
Who: People 65 and over, and some younger people with disabilities.
How to apply: Sign up through Social Security, usually in the months around your 65th birthday.
Help with Medicare costs
Who: People on Medicare with limited income and savings.
How to apply: Medicare Savings Programs: apply to your state Medicaid office. Extra Help with drug costs: apply to Social Security.
Housing and bills
Emergency shelter
Who: Anyone without a safe place to stay tonight.
How to apply: Call 211, or use HUD's map of shelters and housing help.
Rental help (public housing and vouchers)
Who: Households with low income. Waiting lists are common.
How to apply: Apply to your local public housing agency. Ask 211 about emergency rent help.
Help with energy bills (LIHEAP)
Who: Households with low income that struggle to pay heating or cooling bills.
How to apply: Apply through your state or local LIHEAP office.
Lifeline (phone and internet)
Who: Households with low income, or on SNAP, Medicaid, SSI and some other programmes.
How to apply: Apply online, then sign up with a phone or internet company that takes Lifeline.
Income and work
Unemployment insurance
Who: People who lost work through no fault of their own.
How to apply: Apply to your state as soon as you lose work.
American Job Centers
Who: Anyone looking for work or training.
How to apply: Visit or call a center near you. Help is free.
TANF (cash help for families)
Who: Families with children and very low income. Rules vary by state.
How to apply: Apply to your state or county social services office.
SSI (Supplemental Security Income)
Who: People 65 and over, or blind, or with a disability, who have little income and few savings.
How to apply: Apply to Social Security online, by phone or at a local office.
Social Security Disability Insurance
Who: People who worked and paid Social Security taxes and can't work because of a disability.
How to apply: Apply to Social Security online, by phone or at a local office.
Social Security retirement
Who: People who worked and paid Social Security taxes, from age 62.
How to apply: Apply to Social Security, usually a few months before you want payments to start.
Families and children
Head Start and Early Head Start
Who: Children under 5 and pregnant women in households with low income.
How to apply: Contact a Head Start program near you.
Help paying for child care
Who: Working families, or families in school or training, with low income.
How to apply: Apply through your state child care agency.
Veterans, older adults, legal help and disasters
Veterans benefits
Who: Veterans, service members and their families.
How to apply: Apply on VA.gov for health care, disability compensation, education, housing and more.
Help for older adults
Who: People 60 and over, and their caregivers.
How to apply: Use the Eldercare Locator to find your local Area Agency on Aging.
Free legal help
Who: People with low income facing problems like eviction, benefits denials or debt.
How to apply: Find a legal aid office in your state.
Disaster assistance
Who: People affected by a federally declared disaster.
How to apply: Apply online or by phone, and ask 211 about local help.
Avoid scams
- Applying for government benefits is free. No one can charge you to apply or promise you'll be approved.
- Government agencies don't ask for gift cards, wire transfers or cryptocurrency.
- Most official sites end in .gov. Type the address yourself instead of following links in messages.
- Report scams to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
About this page
GetReady Foundation is not a charity and is not part of any government agency or listed programme. They don't pay us, and listing one is not an endorsement. This is general information, not legal or financial advice. Rules change, so always check with the programme. Links checked 1 November 2026. Report a broken link to [email protected].