How to Maximize Your Government Benefits
In challenging times, it behooves us to take advantage of the myriad government benefits available to us. To do so will require some work, and a little digging on your part. This posting does not cover retirement, education or veterans' benefits. It simply offers information on benefits that working people should explore.
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Instructions
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Let's start with food stamps. It's now a misnomer, changing on October 1st, 2008 to the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program, SNAP. In fact, benefits are no longer offered by stamps at all but by an electronic card swiped like an ATM card accepted at most stores. This process helps eliminate the stigma attached to the program. By some estimates just about half of eligible working families are taking advantage of SNAP. To determine your eligibility based on family size, where you live, and your income, go to http://65.216.150.143/fns/. I've provided the hot link below. To apply for benefits, you have to fill out a form at your local SNAP office. To find the toll free number of the nearest one, call directory assistance at 1 800 555-1212.
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Recently the United States had the biggest spike in unemployment in 22 years. If you've lost your job, you could be eligible for unemployment insurance. You need to have paid into the fund during the qualifying base period, a factor that will be verified when you file. As bad as you might feel about losing your job, drag yourself down to your state unemployment office as soon as possible. There is a grace period. You don't want to lose a potential week of benefits. It will take as long as two to three weeks to get your first check, another reason to act quickly. Unemployment help is temporary. Generally it lasts only 26 weeks.
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If you are in a state with high unemployment, you could be eligible for an additional 13 weeks of coverage. A few states pay an additional 7 weeks during extremely high unemployment. Pay attention to the news. These determinations change regularly.
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If you're self-employed like me, you've probably written off unemployment insurance as a benefit from your past, however in the case of a natural disaster that stops you from working your trade or profession, you could qualify for Disaster Unemployment Insurance. This benefit only kicks in if you're unable to work because of a major natural disaster declared by the President of the United States. This benefit also applies to employees, but before an individual can ruled to qualify, it must be determined that conventional unemployment insurance doesn't apply.
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You may be eligible for disability benefits as provided by the Social Security Admninistration. SSA has a very strict definition of disability. First you must have paid enough in the system to qualify. Now, You must be unable to do any substantial work because of your medical condition and the condition has to be expected to last for at least a year or be expected to result in your death. Once you've made your application to the Social Security Office, expect to be denied. Most applicants simply give up at that point but if you persist and present your case to an Administrative Law Judge, the odds shift in your favor. Most people at this point get approved for disability insurance. If you are approved for disability and are under the age of sixty five, you will also qualify for Medicare Health Insurance 24 months after approval, or on your 65th birthday, whichever is sooner.
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