There are many forms of public assistance available.Federal and state government programs are some of the forms of assistance.Proof of your financial stress, such as proof of income, assets, and expenses, is needed to get assistance.You need to locate sources of help first.A phone call is all that is needed for food or medical care.Depending on your state the amount and types of benefits may be different.Different states have different ways to give federal benefits.You can find out what benefits are available to you by contacting your local department of social services or public assistance office.
Step 1: Do you know your needs?
There are public assistance programs that help with food, housing, medical care, and heat.For people with children or people who are disabled, general cash assistance is available.Do you know your current needs?
Step 2: Get financial information.
To show that you are truly needy, be sure to document your financial situation.Income tax forms, pay stubs, and social security payment information can be gathered.You should have bank statements and information about the current value of life insurance, retirement accounts, and stocks or bonds when applying to a program.Send copies of the originals.If the original is lost, you will have to get new copies.Proper personal identification documentation should include a driver's license or ID card, as well as your Social Security number.
Step 3: If you have a disability, document it.
There are funds given for specific disabilities.Make copies of your medical records and keep them safe.
Step 4: A list of expenses.
You should document your expenses if you want to show that your income is low.Standard expenses include housing costs as well as utility bills.Records of health care expenses, as well as money spent on health insurance premiums, should be kept.
Step 5: Document the disaster.
Document the destruction to your home if you are seeking relief from a disaster.It's best to take pictures or video.List everything that has been destroyed in each room.Save the receipts for when you replace something that has been destroyed.
Step 6: You can apply for food stamps.
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program is a federal program that is administered by your state or local agency.The Department of Human Services in your state can give you information on how to apply as well as a list of eligibility requirements.You will need your monthly gross income to fall below a guideline maximum.The number of people living and eating together will also be considered when determining eligibility.There are requirements and income thresholds for applying for food stamps in the US.The SNAP Eligibility Calculator is found in many states.You input household income and assets as well as household expenses.Illinois has a calculator here.
Step 7: You can get emergency food assistance.
Supplemental food assistance is provided through the Emergency Food Assistance Program.Some of the food is passed on to soup kitchens and hunger relief centers by local food banks.Click on your state to see a partial listing of food pantry.If you have questions, you can call the food pantry.
Step 8: The Commodity Supplemental Food Program is available.
Seniors over age 60, infants, and children under 6 years of age can get food items from the United States Department of Agriculture.It is possible for mothers to be eligible up to 1 year after giving birth.Over half a million people receive food from this program.Food items include cheese and dairy products, canned fruits and vegetables, fish and other meats, breakfast cereals, fruit juices, and rice and macaroni.The criteria vary by state.The Department of Human Services can give you more information.
Step 9: Look into assistance from HUD.
HUD runs federal programs and helps building owners offer apartments at a reduced rent.You can search for a low-rent apartment by state.Section 8 is a public housing agency that runs a voucher program.Section 8 vouchers can be used to subsidize the cost of rent if you find your own home.Click on your state when you visit this web portal.Section 8 eligibility can be determined by income and family size.A family may not have an income that exceeds 50% of the median income for the county or metropolitan area where the recipient chooses to live.
Step 10: State or local agency can be found here.
There is a list of states on the HUD website.You can find any state agencies that offer rental or mortgage payment assistance.Programs may be offered by cities.In Chicago, there is an emergency rental assistance program for those who are in financial hardship because of job loss, fire, or illness.
Step 11: Private assistance is available.
Private charities can help with rent.You can look in your Yellow Pages to see if an office is nearby.The Salvation Army.Money paid to landlords, utility bill assistance, food, clothing, emergency housing, spiritual counseling, and many other services are offered by the Salvation Army.Whenever there is a need for help, they are a good place to start.They have a toll free number.The United Way.They offer many of the same assistance programs.They have a national network of emergency services agencies.They have a help number at 2-1-1.If there is any local assistance, check it out.Go to your county courthouse clerk's office and type in your town and then look at the community board.They can provide you with information on local and statewide assistance programs.
Step 12: Look into the cost of heat.
The states receive a block grant from the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program.People apply to their state for help paying for heat in their homes.The state agency will disburse funds to either the utility or the applicants.To be eligible, you must have an income less than 150% of the federal poverty level.The limits are for an individual and a family of 2.To find out where to apply, type "LIHEAP" and your city into a web browser.Clicking on your state will take you to this webpage.
Step 13: Visit the HUD website in your state.
Links to various state programs can be found on these websites.
Step 14: The Salvation Army can be contacted.
The Salvation Army provides assistance programs in many states.They might be aware of other organizations that provide utility assistance.The Salvation Army uses private funds to help low income families pay their heating and cooling bills.
Step 15: You can check the back of your utility bills.
In most states, utility providers are required to list every bill contact information for local assistance groups, watchdog organizations to police unfair practices, and other helpful topics as they relate to that specific company and service.You can call the number or visit the website.
Step 16: If you want Medicaid, you need to sign up.
Medicaid is a healthcare program for individuals and families with low incomes which is funded by the federal and state governments.State by state, qualifications vary.People with incomes below 138% of the federal poverty line are eligible.In some states, eligibility is restricted for pregnant women, people with disabilities, and low-income families.If you qualify for Medicaid, you should contact your state's Department of Human Services.
Step 17: You must register for disability benefits.
The Social Security Administration pays benefits to people with long-term disabilities.The law states that if you have a disability that prevents you from working for a year, you will die.See How to Get Social Security Disability for information on how to register.
Step 18: You can check your phone book for "Free Clinic"
Most counties should have free medical clinics.Most medical, dental, and legal services are free to their patients and/or customers.They have good local contacts for assistance programs.
Step 19: TANF is an assistance program for needy families.
TANF helps pregnant women and families with at least one dependent child access cash and benefits.A person who gets TANF may also get medical assistance and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits.The state sets a threshold for monthly income for applicants.A mother of 2 children can't make more than $795 a month in 28 states and the District of Columbia.There are limits on the amount of assets you can own.Half of the states require applicants to have no more than $2,000 in assets.Contact your local Department of Human Services office to find out more about your state's eligibility requirements.
Step 20: Apply for Supplemental Security Income.
The SSI program makes payments to people who have low income and few resources, as well as older, blind, and disabled people.Basic housing, food, and clothing needs can be met with cash.You need a low income and few resources to be eligible.For an individual, the income limit is $733 a month and for a couple, it's $1,100.If you have less than $2,000 in resources, you may qualify.SSI should be contacted if your income and resources are close to the limits.Even if you think you are over the limit, the agency uses complicated rules to exclude income and assets from their calculations.You have to make an appointment to apply.You can't apply online.
Step 21: Discuss state programs with you.
Ask your state Department of Human Services if there are programs that give cash assistance.
Step 22: Determine if you qualify for benefits.
Cash unemployment benefits are available to eligible workers through a program between state and federal governments.If you become unemployed through no fault of your own, the unemployment insurance program will provide you with temporary financial assistance.If you were fired for violating your employer's attendance policy, you wouldn't be eligible for unemployment benefits.Minimum guidelines for unemployment insurance are provided by the federal government.Each state may have additional eligibility requirements, as well as how long you can continue to receive benefits, and what you must do to remain eligible.
Step 23: Contact your state's unemployment insurance program.
You should get in touch with the appropriate office after you lose your job.Find out if you have to apply in person, online, through the mail, or over the phone.You should know the requirements for eligibility in your state and what documents you will need to prove it.
Step 24: Information to gather.
Before you apply for unemployment benefits, make sure you have everything you need to fill out the application.You need to have proof of where you worked, how much money you made, and the reason you lost your job.You must be able to prove that you lost your job.If you get a form from your employer, you will be eligible for unemployment benefits.The address and phone number of your former employer are some of the information you will be asked for.Before you start filling out your application, you should find out what this information is and write it down.
Step 25: You can file your claim.
Once you have all the documents and information you need, you can fill out your application and file your claim for unemployment benefits.All questions on the application should be answered completely and accurately.The amount of money you will receive and how long will be determined by the information on your application.
Step 26: Wait to receive benefits.
You will have to wait two to three weeks for your first check.A minimum one-week waiting period has been imposed by some states.