Government Low-Income Money Grants
In a competitive economy, being low-income can become a daily struggle to survive. Though government grants and benefits aren't available to everyone, there may be help available for you --- especially if you are disabled or elderly or meet other criteria. For an overview of the types of government aid you might qualify for, fill out the questionnaire at Benefits.gov: it will provide you with a list of potential sources of aid.
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Social Security
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The Social Security Administration provides benefits to low-income people who meet other criteria. Its two main low-income programs are Supplemental Security Income and Medicaid. SSI is a monthly benefits program for people who are disabled with a condition that will last at least a year or result in death. Medicaid is the government's health insurance program for people who fall under a certain income threshold. Apply for both SSI and Medicaid at your local Social Security office --- both programs' requirements vary by state.
Education Grants
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There are countless grants available to those interested in going to college or receiving vocational training. The Pell Grant is designed to help low-income undergraduate students who are enrolled in school at least half time to pay for college-related expenses. To apply for the Pell Grant, go to fafsa.gov and fill out the free application for federal student aid. You may also obtain other grants from private or public sources: A good place to start to find the perfect school grant for you is Ed.gov or Grants.gov.
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Nutrition and Family-Related Assistance
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As long as you meet your state's requirements, you may be able to obtain food stamps in order to make food more affordable for your family. Typically, you must be registered for work in order to obtain food stamps, in addition to meeting the income requirements. If you are a pregnant woman or mother or you have children living in your house, you may be eligible for a special nutrition assistance program called WIC, which stands for women, infants and children. WIC provides nutritious foods, nutrition education and screening for other welfare programs.
Grants for Special Circumstances
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There are unique grants and programs for many different types of people: from those who need aid to rebuild their homes after a natural disaster to those who served in the military. Other examples of qualifying individuals include those who are 62 or older, who live in an unsafe or high-risk area, who struggle to pay their energy bills and who need help paying for child care. See which benefits fit your situation by checking out Benefits.gov, which is the government's benefit portal for citizens.
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