How to Survive Applying for Public Assistance

Public assistance can help you pay your electricity bill.

Hard economic times lead many people to apply for public assistance. Public assistance comes in many forms, such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Medicaid, but many private sources exist also. When you are forced to turn to the government or a private agency for help with food, housing or medical expenses, make this hard time easier by planning ahead.

Things You'll Need

• Birth Certificate
• Social Security Card
• Paycheck Stubs
• Tax Returns
• Utility bills
• Mortgage or rent bills
• Picture IDs
• Life insurance policies
• Car titles
• Documentation of medical expenses

Instructions

1. Save your paycheck stubs for at least six months while you are working. Applying for public assistance can require you to show paycheck stubs dating back for four months.

2. Check the website of the public assistance organization to which you will be applying for information regarding the documentation you'll need, who qualifies for the assistance, what the deadlines for application are and other information that will help you to know what to expect. Many sites will also contain applications that you can download and fill out in advance.

3. Gather the documentation required to apply for public assistance. The most commonly required items are listed in the "Things You Will Need" section of this article. Having all of this information together will save you time during the emotionally draining experience of applying for public assistance.

4. Keep your appointment, and be on time. Being late or missing an appointment when applying for public assistance will delay the help that you need.

5. Be patient and polite. Losing your temper over long waits or requests for additional documents will not make your caseworker process your application for public assistance any faster and may result in your being asked to leave.

6. Write down your caseworker's name and phone number in case you have questions or concerns later about your application for public assistance. Errors in processing your application can be made, and these are best addressed with your caseworker directly.

Tips & Warnings

• If you do not have a picture ID and need one to apply for public assistance, check with your state Department of Motor Vehicles to see if it offers one for free.

Resources

• Social Security Card Application
• Medicaid Information
• State Health Departments for Birth Certificates
• Food Stamp Program - SNAP