Times are tough, inflation is here and many everyday Americans require help. Find assistance programs for housing, food, COVID relief, transportation and much more.
Are you looking for helpful programs to support you live a safe, healthy, and peaceful life? If you’ve been struggling with paying bills, finding housing, getting nutritious food, coping with COVID, or staying mobile—you’ll want to study these resources.
There are many options and choices available to low-income Americans. Programs are available from the government, charitable organizations, non-profits, and communities. Many people are working hard to find solutions to our nation’s problems.
In response to the recent economic impact of COVID-19, many state, local, and federal governments have updated policies to help consumers manage financial strain, stay healthy, and stay safe. These policies include guidance that can guide decisions regarding getting vaccinated, finding safe shelter, getting nutritious food, paying government-issued loans, taxes, and more.
The following is a list of programs to help you find the support that matches your unique situation.
You may have heard about some of the biggest government programs available such as Section 8, Section 202, and LITHTC. Here is a quick overview of these valuable programs:
Section 8 offers low-income residents “safe and reasonable” accommodation. If your income doesn’t exceed 50% of the median income in your area, you may be eligible. This program is not specifically designed for seniors, yet it is useful for seniors, as you could get a safe home.
Section 202 is a government-funded program is specifically designed for adults 62 and older, who meet a “very low income” requirement. Similar to Section 8, if approved, participants pay 30% of their income for rent in government-subsidized housing.
LITHTC or low-income housing tax credit is a program that ensures there is enough low-income housing to meet the needs of the community. While it is not exclusively designed for seniors, seniors who meet the income criteria can participate in the program.
There are many programs for helping individuals and families find safe shelter. To learn about the many more options of housing assistance programs available to low-income Americans, check out a full list of resources in Housing Assistance Programs for Low-Income Americans.
Are you struggling with basic nutrition and getting a healthy diet? There are many assistance programs devoted to helping Americans get healthy food and nutritious groceries.
If you need food today, please check the Feeding America website to find a local food bank.
If you are looking for ongoing programs for assistance with food, there are many options. Some of the most popular programs you may have heard about include government-subsidized vouchers. These used to be called Food Stamps, but are now under the name of SNAP, standing for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. To fill out a SNAP application, visit your local Social Services offices.
When it comes to federal hunger relief programs, you’ll find a suite of programs to assist with a wide variety of food needs. Programs exist for emergency food assistance, school lunch programs, summer food services, and food for women, infants, and children.
Be sure to look into one of the largest, long-standing, and well-known food programs in the United States. Meals on Wheels offers over 5000 programs and over 1 million meals per day. Meals are available for groups, families, as well as direct delivery for individuals who are homebound.
The local branches of Meals on Wheels are staffed by volunteers, with some programs overseen by county or city funding. Check out the programs available in your area.
To learn more about the various assistance programs for food, please go to Food Assistance Programs for Low-Income Americans.
Are you looking for assistance with transportation and staying mobile? Many programs are available such as volunteer driver programs from charities, reduced fees on public transportation, and ride-share programs.
Many non-profits are devoted to getting reliable vehicles to low-income Americans. If you’re looking for specific programs to help you stay active, mobile, and independent, be sure to check out the assistance programs covered in Transportation Assistance for Low-Income Americans.
The recent pandemic has increased financial hardship across the globe, and the country. Are you struggling to pay the bills? Are you worried that you can’t make credit card payments? If you are looking for a great place to start finding help, look at:
This site offers links to help you find charity assistance programs, debt counseling, health care options, as well as local and state resources.
You can search on this site for specific resources including government assistance programs, cash assistance, community action agencies, help for senior citizens, church assistance, and more.
In addition, this site makes it easy to search for programs by state. Based on various requirements, these may help you find debt relief as well as emergency and long-term financial assistance programs.
Need Help Paying Bills also maintains a list of non-profit credit counseling agencies across the country. Some of the agencies charge a fee while others may offer assistance with debt reduction for free to qualified individuals.
Their comprehensive list of resources can get you started in the right direction.
As the COVID-19 crisis continues to impact individuals and businesses, reach out to your financial institution and credit card provider. Check out options such as lowered monthly payments, relief from late fees, and temporarily lower interest rates.
If you’re looking for more details on programs for financial assistance, check out Debt Relief Programs for Low-Income Americans.
If you are seeking assistance, you may find specific programs that can provide relief. Please take some time to review all the resources available to you.
Additionally, be sure to check out Grant Programs for Low-Income Americans, where you’ll find many resources for education, housing, food, transportation, and more.
