Jonah JacobsWhat do we all need to survive? Necessities such as food, shelter, and healthcare. Unfortunately, paying for such things can be out of reach for many living on limited incomes, which is why the government has created several programs to ensure no one goes without.
Here are some programs that can help eliminate your worries about the basics. Use them to give you peace of mind and the freedom to build your path towards independence.
Food Stamps
Perhaps the most basic need is food because, without it, the rest doesn’t matter. With food costs increasing, you may feel tons of pressure to feed your family with limited funds. Apply for food stamps (SNAP), and you can alleviate that pressure by getting monthly funds to go grocery shopping.
Applying for SNAP is as easy as contacting your local office. If accepted, the monthly funds disbursed to your EBT card will depend on how much money you make and your household size. In other words, the less income and bigger your household, the more grocery money you can receive.
Housing Choice Vouchers
Once you get your food situation set through SNAP, it’s time to think about housing. It’s the most significant monthly expense for most families, and one that’s the hardest to budget for.
Apply for a Housing Choice Voucher from the Section 8 program, and you could get the majority of your rent paid by the government. This can eliminate any frequent landlord problems while giving you the ability to live in a safe single-family home, apartment, or townhome.
SSI
Supplemental Security Income is a government program that offers cash payments each month. With those funds, you can pay some of your rent, buy food, purchase clothes, etc.
SSI eligibility depends on income and other factors. Typically, low-income households and children with disabilities receive assistance from this program.
TANF
Some families need a cash infusion to help them get back on their feet. That’s what Temporary Assistance for Needy Families provides via cash payments. Once you become self-sufficient, your TANF benefits will end.
Medicaid And CHIP
What’s another essential need that must be met? Maintaining your health, which may seem impossible due to the outrageous costs of healthcare.
With Medicaid, you won’t have to worry about those costs, as it provides free healthcare to people who cannot afford it. Since Medicaid eligibility is based on income, you may find that you make too much to qualify. If so, that’s where the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) can help, as it offers free healthcare for kids when Medicaid isn’t an option.
The amount of money you can save on your child’s healthcare by having CHIP is astronomical. With exams, doctor visits, dental care, and more covered, that’s a massive expense that you won’t have to account for anymore.
