Government Grant for Economic Hardship
With the economy in a shambles over the last several months, many people with low income or tight budgets are left wondering how they're going to survive. The combined expenses of food, heating, energy and rent can seem to take up every cent they bring in with nothing left over. Fortunately, the government does offer a few programs and grants for people in that situation.
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Food
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In years past, food assistance from the government was known as "Food Stamps." More recently, however, the program has been renamed; the paper stamps have been replaced by an ATM-style debit card, and it's now called SNAP, or "Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program." According to the SNAP website, over 35 million people currently receive benefits each month.
WIC
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Another program that covers food is WIC, which provides assistance to mothers and children. To qualify for WIC, the household must include either a pregnant or breatfeeding mother, an infant or a child, up to the age of five. The program is specific to the types of food best suited for nutrition for infants and children, and limits the types of food and brands that can be purchased under the program.
Applications for both SNAP and WIC are handled and processed at the state level.
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Heating and Cooling
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Energy expenses can be crippling for a low-income family, especially in the winter in Northern states, or at the height of summer in the Southwest. The government has established a program called the "Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program," or LIHEAP. In many states, LIHEAP funds are collected through voluntary contributions in the monthly utility bill, and that money is distributed at the county or even community level. Families that meet the requirements receive an offset payment to help cover the cost of their energy bill.
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families
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The AFDC, or Aid to Families with Dependent Children, was a program that ran from 1935 to 1996. President Bill Clinton signed the law that converted AFDC to TANF, or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families. The major difference between the two programs is a time limit that is meant to nudge recipients back into the work force and off of the program. Families receiving TANF assistance are required to work, and may receive job training.
Rental Help
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For needy families who need help keeping up with rent, Housing and Urban Development offers assistance. According to HUD, over 1 million households take advantage of this program. The income requirements are set locally, by one of 3,300 Housing Agencies. Those agencies receive money from the government to offset reduced rent from the residents.
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References
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