Need $ Help? Check Out These Grants & Other Programs!
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Government Grants: Could This Help You?
There are legitimate government grants out there, and we can help you find them. The federal government, your state government and local areas provide all kinds of grants for college, housing and other expenses. Click below to start searching for grants – get started now.
Do you want to go to school and invest in your future? You can find all kinds of education grants to help you pay for classes and living expenses. You can apply for an education grant (and see what you qualify for) by completing the FAFSA application. Government education grants are often need-based, so you may be more likely to qualify if you have a low income.
Thousands of Americans every year are given grants to help with their housing expenses. Whether you need help paying your rent, mortgage, or utility bills, there’s a good chance you could be eligible for a grant. Learn more about housing grants – get started below.
If you are a veteran or currently in the military, there are many kinds of grants you may get. Grants for veterans and their families include education grants (like the GI Bill), medical grants, business owner grants and more!
If you have a low-income, you and your family may qualify for free services. Programs like LIHEAP can cover your energy bill costs, while the food stamps program provides monthly benefits to help you buy food. Some families may even qualify for cash benefits through TANF. These benefits can be used for different necessities.
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Pay Your Telephone Bill With Lifeline
This federal program can help pay for your internet, cell phone or landline phone. To qualify, you must meet a low income limit. You will automatically qualify if you receive food stamps, SSI, Section 8 housing or other programs for low-income households.
There are many ways to get debt help. One way is to use a balance transfer card. This allows you to put all of your credit card debt on a card with lower interest rates, preventing more interest from accruing. If your credit score prevents you from opening a new card, you may instead get a debt management plan, which works similarly: all of your debt gets put into one sum with a lower interest rate and lower monthly required payment.
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Find Help Paying for Your Water Bill
The Salvation Army and other charities can offer assistance to help pay your water bill and other utilities. Additionally, the federal Environmental Protection Agency provides Customer Assistance Programs (CAPs) that may be able to help you. In addition to covering or discounting your bill payment, CAPs can restore your water and get rid of fees.
Need to Pay Utility Bills? LIHEAP May Have You Covered
The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) helps low-income households by paying for cooling, heating and electricity in times of emergency. Additionally, LIHEAP offers the Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP). WAP makes improvements to your home that lower your energy costs in the long run.
The government offers free and low-cost programs to help you pay medical bills. Medicare is available for people who are 65 or older; Medicaid may be available for low-income households; and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) can help children in low-income households. Don’t qualify for any of these programs? You may still qualify for low-cost health insurance from the Health Insurance Marketplace.
The Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program provides monthly cash assistance payments for low-income families. The program’s longer-term goal is to help the household become self-sufficient.
Reach Out to Churches and Charities for Bill Assistance
If you are unable to qualify for government benefits, get in touch with some charities or churches. Charities and churches may be able to provide money, food or shelter. Charities and churches all have different rules and requirements for their programs, so the best thing to do is to contact some in your area.
Refinancing your loans can help you pay less interest over time or pay a lower amount each month. Or both! Some types of loans you can refinance include: Student loans, car loans, credit cards and mortgages.
62 or Older? Apply for Social Security Retirement Benefits
If you are at least 62 years of age and qualify for Social Security Retirement benefits, applying and getting benefits can help you cover your household bills. Additionally, if you are the spouse of someone who passed, you may be able to get their Social Security benefits.
A food bank is a non-profit charity that offers grocery items at a free or reduced cost. In order to get your groceries from a food bank, you may have to have a low household income. Check for food banks in your area, and ask for details.
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How to Pay Less for Internet Service
There are several ways to lower your internet costs. You can look for promotional sign-up deals when you change providers. If you want cable, you can bundle cable and internet to save. Or, if you have a low income, you may qualify for the Lifeline program, which provides government-subsidized internet.
If you love watching movies and shows, consider bundling your streaming service subscriptions. Some services, like Hulu, Spotify and CBS All Access, offer military or student discounts. Additionally, streaming can be a more affordable option if you want to get rid of your cable subscription.
There are many ways to lower your auto insurance! You can look for discounts for seniors, students and safe drivers. Or, you can bundle your car insurance and homeowner or renter insurance to save. If you are a military member or veteran, you can find discounted auto insurance for veterans.
If you lost your job through no fault of your own, you may qualify for unemployment benefits. File a claim with your state’s unemployment agency. If you qualify, you may get payments that can keep you afloat until you find another job.
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Look Out for Veteran and Military Benefits
Are you a servicemember or veteran? If so, be sure to take advantage of military benefits and discounts! The Department of Veteran Affairs offers benefits like health insurance, scholarships, home loans, life insurance and more! You can also find discounts at private companies, including auto insurance for veterans.
Senior discounts are everywhere! You can seriously save with discounts on auto insurance, travel costs, groceries, restaurants and more! The age to qualify for senior discounts can vary from place to place, so be sure to ask.
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Keep More Money by Claiming a Child Tax Credit
If you have children in your household, don’t miss out on a Child Tax Credit. This credit offers a deduction from your income taxes for each dependent child you have. Currently, the maximum deduction is $3,600! By claiming your credit, you will pay less in taxes or get more money in your tax refund.
SSI & SSDI: Cash Assistance for People With Low Income or Disabilities
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) provides cash assistance to people who have a low-income and are also elderly or disabled. Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) pays you cash assistance if you have a qualifying disability and a qualifying work history.
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Sell Your Unneeded Items Online
You may be surprised what people are willing to buy from you! You can use Facebook Marketplace if you wish to sell locally, or eBay or Amazon if you want more exposure. Consider selling things like electronics, kitchen appliances, clothing and more.
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Look for Inexpensive Child Care Options
If you have a low household income, your children may qualify for the Early Head Start or the Head Start programs. Other child-care providers may have sliding scale fees based on your income, and some may offer discounts for military personnel.
The U.S. government offers grants to help pay for living expenses, housing costs, and education. You can also find grants for small businesses if you need help getting your company off the ground or are in a temporary financial struggle. No matter what your need, there may be a government grant available to help you.
You are more likely to qualify for government grants if you are at an economic disadvantage, like having more expenses than your income can afford. Find out which grants and programs may help you pay your bills and other costs below and in the following slides.
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Cover Your Living Costs With These Government Grants
It can be difficult to afford all of your bills on a limited income. The government has programs that help pay for basic everyday costs, from food to child care. Popular government food programs include the following:
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), or food stamps, grant you the ability to purchase food for your household.
The Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program is similar to food stamps by providing funds to pay for food. However, the eligibility for the program is limited to those who fit more specific qualifications.
School meals are available to school-aged children who come from a low-income household.
The Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) provides food for seniors older than 60 years of age.
The Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) is a government program that helps pay for child care costs.
The federal government provides CCDF funds to states, which then provide grants based on income. Eligibility requirements include the following:
You must be a parent or primary caretaker.
The child or children are younger than 13 years of age.
The child or children are younger than 19 years of age and is under court supervision or unable to care for self.
Have a low or very low income.
Need financial assistance for child care.
You have employment or enrolled in an educational program.
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families gives cash to households with a financial need for a fixed period. The cash assistance can be spent on more than food, but there are restrictions on what it may be used for. Depending on your location, your state’s TANF program may also provide additional benefits like job training and child care.
Depending on your situation and needs, you may consider applying for one of these programs. Click on to the next slide in order to learn more.