Income-based assistance programs for low-income families
People with a low-income, including those who live in poverty, can often qualify for income-based assistance programs, which are the backbone of the safety net in the United States. Most of them organizations that operate them look at a household’s income compared to the federal poverty guidelines or the area median income and then provide help with rent, food, utilities, health care, phones, and even legal problems. Find details below on programs that focus / require applicants have a low-income as well as links to contact information.
In many cases, the lower the income, the larger the benefit. Understanding the main categories of programs and how the income rules work makes it easier for very low and low-income families to connect with the right help. While most of the income-based solutions are provided by the government, some charities also provide similar assistance programs to qualified lower-income households with the main categories listed here.
Income limits and how they are set
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Most federal or state government benefit programs aimed at lower-income households use the federal poverty guidelines published each year by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The guidelines are a simple chart of income by household size. Many benefits are targeted to households under 100 percent, 135 percent, 138 percent, 150 percent, 200 percent or even 250 percent of the federal poverty level, depending on the program. Information on the current guidelines is at https://aspe.hhs.gov/topics/poverty-economic-mobility/poverty-guidelines.
Some programs, such as housing Section 8 and public housing use a different measure, the area median income for the county or metropolitan area, and then set “very low income” limits at 50 percent of that median and “extremely low income” at about 30 percent, with some adjustments. These criteria are focused on lower-income families based on the median income of the area, which is arguably a more fair way to use the benefits. Local agencies, in particualar charities (and look here to Find help near you.) also add their own rules, so eligibility can vary from one county or city to the next even under the same federal program.
Housing programs for low-income families or single people
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For housing, the largest income-based programs are the Housing Choice Voucher Program (commonly called Section 8), project-based Section 8, and public housing. Section 8 vouchers are reserved for very low-income households, usually those under 50 percent of the area median income, with most vouchers going to households under 30 percent of area median income. HUD Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers can also pay a mortgage and get details on section 8 low income home buying mortgage help.
- Families approved for a Department of Housing and Urban Development voucher generally pay about 30 percent of their adjusted monthly income toward rent and utilities, and the voucher pays the rest directly to the landlord. Public housing authorities administer the program, maintain waiting lists that can be years long, and often use lotteries when demand is extremely high and learn more about Section 8.
Affordable, low cost housing, including public housing with no waiting list are options too. Several charities, such as Mercy Housing, VOA and others, offer apartments, homes, and other properties for rent. There are also some government housing units from local housing authorities with priority for seniors and low-income families with a kid, and read more on low income emergency housing with no wait list.
- Senior citizens will get priority housing. Seniors, the elderly, and people over the age of 55 that have a low income can apply for affordable and/or income subsidized housing. Apartments, townhomes, community living and other options are available. Most come with supportive components to address medical or transportation needs. Continue with low income housing and homes for seniors.
- Emergency section 8 low income housing programs are another option. While not as common and widely available, some local housing authorities focus on getting expediting section 8 for homeless or low-income tenants that need to move. Other programs may help elderly or disabled people. Find how to get section 8 low income housing fast.
Families that do not receive a federal voucher sometimes receive income-based rent payment help from local rental assistance programs in their community. There are also emergency housing funds operated by community action agencies, and charities such as faith-based organizations. These local efforts often use the same poverty guidelines or area median income benchmarks to decide who qualifies.
Rural America low-cost housing is available. Rental payment help for low income rural families is provided by the USDA - The US Department of Agriculture. This will be a subsidy to help pay for homes in less populated areas. The financial assistance is available from the Rural Development program and find how to get rent help from the USDA.
Foreclosure prevention and mortgage relief for low-income families. Hundreds of non-profit organizations across the country are certified by the federal government Housing and Urban Development agency (HUD) to provide free or low cost help to low-income families. States also offer income-based support. Mortgage relief programs will low to moderate income people stop a foreclosure or get back on track with paying their home loans. Find how to get mortgage help for low income homeowners.
Free home repairs are available. Government grants and low interest loans, including from the USDA, FHA and other organizations exist to help pay for home repairs and improvements. State and federal funds typically are available to people with a low-income or no money, but a local community action agency is usually the place to apply to for help. Or they can redirect clients to other organizations for information on how to apply for grant money to fix a house. Learn more about home repairs for free.
Low income energy, utility, and water bill assistance
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The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is a federal block grant that pays part of heating or cooling bills for roughly 6 to 7 million low-income households each year. States and tribes run their own LIHEAP programs (and may name it differently) but must target households with high energy needs and low incomes, often under 150 or 200 percent of the poverty level or under 60 percent of state median income. Eligible households may receive a one-time payment applied to a utility bill, crisis help to stop a disconnection, or in some states support for fuel deliveries or minor home repairs. Find where to get LIHEAP applications for energy bills.
Weatherization help is income-based as well. The federal government funded Weatherization Assistance Program focuses on long term energy savings through insulation, furnace repairs, and other improvements, again targeted to very low-income households. Many utilities, community action agencies, and charities add their own hardship funds for customers with disconnection notices. These local home weatherization programs nearly always require proof that income falls under a set limit or that a household is facing a documented crisis, even when the money comes from private donations.
Financial assistance is offered directly by many utility companies for low-income customers to help keep the power on. Most utility companies, which are privately owned, have resources qualified customers that are living in poverty or have a low income. Some services, such as payment plans or forgiveness of a bill, they provide themselves, and others are administered in partnership with local non-profit and charity organizations. Energy assistance can include grants to pay electric, gas, light and other utility costs. Find utility company low-income programs.
Free internet services for low income households is available. The federal government has assistance programs that pay for Internet, Wi-Fi, and high speed cable connections. Students, remote or online workers and other low-income households as well as people on public assistance can get help. Programs are offered by both phone and cable companies. They will provide set up of the system, training on how to use it, and some companies will even offer a new computer to qualified low income families. Apply for free low income internet.
Food, cash assistance and basic needs programs tied to income
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The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is the main federal food program. Eligibility is based on gross and net income tests, resources, and household size. A household must usually have gross income under about 130 percent of the poverty level and net income under 100 percent, although elderly or disabled households and some others follow special rules. Current income charts and rules are posted at https://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/recipient/eligibility. SNAP serves over 40 million people nationwide and provides monthly benefits on an EBT card that can be used at authorized grocery stores and many farmers markets with more information on SNAP benefits and getting them here.
- Other income-based food programs (often combined with SNAP) include the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) and the free and reduced-price school meal programs. Both rely on income cutoffs tied to the federal poverty level, though the exact percentages vary by state.
Emergency food pantries and meal programs run by churches, charities, and food banks are usually not federal programs, but many still give priority to households under a certain percentage of the poverty guidelines. Many local pantries and free food programs in a community and ask for basic proof of income, such as pay stubs or benefit letters.
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, or TANF, provides cash assistance and work-related services to very low-income families with children. The funds are meant to help pay for basic needs (food, housing, utilities, etc.) with information on the income based service through state human services websites and general details at the needhelppayingbills TANF benefits page.
- Other free government money programs for low-income applicants are available online. Several other government benefit programs, such as SSI, EITC and others provide direct free cash to low-income families or single people. Funds are usually deposited into a bank account or pre-paid debit card. Look here for more details on getting free money from the government.
Health, medical and dental care for low income families
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Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) are the primary income-based health coverage programs. Children’s coverage through Medicaid and CHIP generally reaches higher up the income scale; federal law allows CHIP eligibility up to at least 200 percent of the poverty level, and many states go up to 250 or even 300 percent. Information on Medicaid and CHIP rules is at https://www.medicaid.gov and https://www.healthcare.gov/medicaid-chip/medicaid-expansion-and-you.
- The federal government and states partner together to provide the benefit, as well as free stuff for medical needs, to the low-income, pregnant women and the disable. Families or single adults on Medicaid will get medical care along with free stuff such as a hospital bed, walkers, and other items. More on free stuff given to Medicaid beneficiaries.
For lower income people who are uninsured or underinsured, federally qualified health centers and other community clinics use sliding fee discount programs that are explicitly tied to the federal poverty guidelines. Some clinics give totally free care to very low-income patients. Many of these centers also operate behavioral health services, and pharmacies on the same sliding scale and give out medications that are needed - look here to find details on free prescription drugs.
- Health centers are required to provide care regardless of ability to pay and to offer full discounts for patients at or below 100 percent of the poverty level, with partial discounts up to at least 200 percent. Every state has community clinics and health care centers that provide free or low cost medical care to its residents. Locate information on free healthcare clinics.
Dental care is offered by many clinics too. Hundreds of government and private funded dental centers can offer a number of free services, including check ups, cleanings, consultations, and referrals. Patients can get their needs met or low income families can learn about other dental programs if specialized care is needed. Both professional and volunteers dentists contribute their time to the free dental clinics.
- Low-income patients can get free dental implants from government programs (such as Medicaid in some states) or volunteer, pro-bono dentists. Grant money, oral surgery, new teeth and more is provided as part of the program. Locate free dental implants for low income patients.
Adults with a low-income can get free eyeglasses and check ups. The benefit can also be for their kids too. Eye doctors, chain stores, optometrists, and other locations give free glasses, contacts and other services. Look here for details on free eyeglasses near you for low-income adults.
Phones, internet, and communications assistance
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The main income-based federal program for communications is Lifeline. Lifeline provides a monthly discount on landline, wireless, or in some cases bundled broadband service for low-income households. A household qualifies if income is at or below 135 percent of the federal poverty guidelines, or if a member receives benefits such as SNAP, Medicaid, Supplemental Security Income, or federal public housing assistance. Locate a free phone for the low-income.
Laptop and desktop computers help students and adult workers. Free, either new or refurbished, laptops, tablets, and Chromebooks are available. Most of the low-income programs are for students from K-12 or in college. Some low-income remote workers or families with little to no money may also get help, from both the government or local companies. Continue with free laptops for low income families.
- In addition to the free computers, there are also programs that help low-income families or those on government assistance (SNAP, Medicaid, etc.) get a tablet. This will allow them the ability to access the Internet or an app wither the free tablet. Both Samsung and Apple products are offered, and read more about free tablets for low income families.
Programs that help lower-income households get loans or address credit needs
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Free debt and credit repair counseling help borrowers. National and local non-profit credit counseling agencies exist for low income individuals. They can provide free foreclosure counseling, enrollment into debt management plans, medical bill relief, and help people file for bankruptcy. Counselors will provide free assistance to help with dealing with credit card or medical debt. Learn more on the credit counseling agencies.
Car loans are offered by some lenders for low-income people to help with transportation. Government programs, credit unions and auto dealerships provide finance to struggling households, including people with low credit scores if they need a vehicle to work. Non-profits, including Ways to Work and community action agencies that operate income-based plans, also provide grant or affordable loan funds. Get help from low income car loans.
Loans for low-income borrowers or people with low credit scores are available, including online. There are income-based solutions offered by banks, non-profit or charitable credit unions, and even the government give emergency loans to as a form of financial help. The funds are targeted at the underbanked or people that have no savings or checking account or households with bad credit. Find how to get loans for low income borrowers with bad credit.
Other income-based services for children and families that have a low-income
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Legal aid organizations funded by the Legal Services Corporation and many state and local grants provide free civil legal help to people with low incomes. Under federal regulations, LSC-funded providers must set their basic eligibility at or below 125 percent of the federal poverty guidelines, with some room to help clients up to 200 percent when there are special circumstances or when a case is tied to preserving essential public benefits. This is known as pro-bono for the poor, indigent, low-income or seniors and find lawyers that give free legal assistance.
Used cars, free automobiles or trucks are available for a job. People with bad credit, no savings for a down-payment, and/or a low income will often be able to get a free car for work, job training, apprenticeships and other related reasons. Auto dealerships will help, charities and churches and other non-profit lenders try to provide low income families with the transportation they need. Locate details on free vehicles including car programs.
Head Start and Early Head Start are early childhood education and family support programs that rely heavily on income-based eligibility. In general, families must have incomes under 100 percent of the federal poverty level, be homeless, or receive TANF or SNAP, though programs can enroll a limited number of children from families with slightly higher incomes when slots are available with more details about Head Start here.
Child care and early education help are also income-based. The Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) provides subsidies so that low-income parents, including single moms or dads, can work or attend school. Federal rules allow states to serve children in families with incomes up to 85 percent of state median income, but states may set lower caps and their own sliding fee co-payment schedules.
- Government funding will only pay a portion of your overall child care costs and the family will still need to make various co-payments to the provider. State human services or social services departments run these subsidy programs, and families must verify income and work or training activities with details about childcare assistance by state on needhelppayingbills.
Income-based help even extends to funeral and burial costs. Many states and counties operate “indigent burial” or “pauper burial” programs for people who die with no resources and whose families have very low incomes or receive public assistance. These programs usually pay a modest amount toward a simple cremation or burial and pay the funeral home directly.
- Applications are typically handled by local human services or social services departments, and the applicant must show that the deceased person and immediate family are below income and asset limits. Government benefits as well as non-profits provide help. There may be caskets, headstones and other services for low-income households or their relatives. Locate free cremation for low-income families.
Military members (active duty, reserves or guard) and their families that have a low income will get additional financial help from the Basic Needs Allowance program. This is additional compensation that helps service members pay for basic life necessities, as too many are stationed to high priced areas or they live on a lower relative income as their spouses/partners can’t work due to unique challenges of the military. Apply to the Basic Needs Allowance for military service families.
Veterinary care is provided, for free or a low-cost, by clinics, volunteer veterinarians, non-profits and pet rescue agencies. Some charities or grant programs also are available in some cases to pay a vet bills. Low-income families can get help with cats, dogs, and other pets they may have, with some programs focused on seniors and locate free veterinary care for the low income.
Employment and training help are also linked to income. Workforce development boards and American Job Center locations provide job search assistance, resume help, training referrals and sometimes tuition support for low-income jobseekers and dislocated workers. These centers operate under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act and can be found through https://www.careeronestop.org/LocalHelp/AmericanJobCenters/american-job-centers.aspx.
- State vocational rehabilitation agencies provide employment services for people with disabilities, typically focusing on those whose disabilities limit their ability to work and whose incomes fall below certain levels.
Tens of millions of Americans live in or near poverty. If you have questions, want other suggestions, or want to read about other lower-income people's experiences and what they do for help, we have a forum. There you will find real people’s experiences from people across the country, and look here for the forum discussing how to live on a low-income as well as so much more.
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