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Benefits and Grants - Low-Income Assistance Programs. Below is a short list of government benefits and grants to help the unemployed and working but earn low wages. Recessions come and go, but creative and resourceful people will always survive life’s storms. Recessions come and go, but creative and resourceful people will always survive life’s storms. The government has formed programs such as help with rent, utilities, money for childcare, and heating grants. These programs are income based and try to help the hardest-hit citizens to care for their families. If you are unemployed, working part-time, or working two jobs and still struggling, we hope you find something on this site that is beneficial to you. We will be regularly posting new tips on affordable housing, grants, and other resources to help you and your family improve the quality of your life. Find out more information about the help that is available to you. Benefits and Grants Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program LIHEAP is a great help for households experiencing financial shortages. LIHEAP benefits offer grants to go towards utility bills by making home repairs that will lower energy costs. Typical repairs may be insulating drafty windows and doors, wrapping water heaters, patching roofs, etc. Eligibility requirements for LIHEAP assistance may differ from state to state. If your income is at or 250% below the federal poverty guidelines, you may be eligible. Please check with the LIHEAP office in your area. Children’s Health Insurance Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) work together to provide health insurance to children living in low-income families without health insurance. According to the Federal Poverty Guidelines, if you have four or more children or more and live in poverty, they may be eligible for health care for their child through the Insure Kids Now program. This healthcare covers dental, immunization, prescriptions, and visits to the doctor. Lifeline Free Cell Phone Plans Lifeline provides free and discounted landline and cell phone services to low-income consumers who qualify financially. Each family is allowed one phone line and must recertify every year to keep service. Also, each year you must recertify that you qualify if you want to continue receiving Lifeline assistance. There are dozens of free phone providers all over the United States and US territories. If you receive SNAP, Medicare, WIC, Disability, government assistance programs, you may qualify. Nutrition Assistance Government nutritional programs make sure that no family or individual who qualifies financially will go hungry. Many disadvantaged families include seniors, the disabled, and families who are unemployed or underemployed. If you need help with food, apply for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) for your household's monthly food assistance. You may also qualify for a free or discount lunch program for your school-aged children. Free Dental Care Going to the dentist is not a privilege. It is necessary for your physical health and appearance. Many dentists offer their services to help low-income families with dental care. With companies laying off workers and cutting back on hours, you can lose your medical benefits. Some doctors and dentists donate their time and skills to treat those who don't have dental insurance. Find out where to get free dental care. Free Daycare Programs Help Moms It is a known fact that childcare can take up to 50% of your salary, especially if you have more than one child. Many women decided to stay home altogether because of the cost of child care. The cost of childcare takes all or most of their salaries. When there are no profits to working, the best choice can be to stay at home mom and live on one salary. Most single moms do not have the luxury of staying at home. However, some moms work on low paying jobs and still need help. They have no choice but to work and survive on one salary to care for their families. Consider taking advantage of the benefits and grants the government offers. As a mom, the most important thing is to work and care for your family. If you are a single mother that needs help paying for daycare, you may qualify for this resource: 888-524-3578, DHS Child Care Assistance Program. Keep in mind that there is a certain amount Free Christmas Toys Christmas comes every year, and every year some families don't have the finances to buy toys for Christmas. Some organizations like the Salvation Army, Toys for Tots, Angel Tree, and many Religious Organization provide free Christmas toys for kids every year. *Read more about how to receive free toys for Christmas Food Banks Because many families receiving SNAP run out of benefits, every community has food banks. Also, churches and other organizations have food pantries that give out groceries to needy families. You can walk in and get help in some places, but in other places, you need a referral from the Department of Social Services or community organization. Food banks usually give out food based on the number of people in the family. Organizations like the Catholic Church, the larger, better-funded groups often have meat, toiletries, and other items. Find a food bank in your community.