The United States federal government is a great place to get assistance if you have a low income and need help. They have a variety of programs that are designed to ensure your basic needs are being met, including helping with housing, food, and more. The assistance is available to anyone with a low income, as well as them providing government grants for individuals with disabilities.
Those who are disabled may have more difficulty making ends meet, which is why these assistance programs are beneficial. The good things about these grants are that you never have to pay them back. They are not loans, but are considered to be gifts given to people in the community who need help.
Government Grants for Individuals with Disabilities
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) – This program will provide a monthly cash grant for those who need assistance. The grant can be used for a variety of living expenses, including housing, food, clothing, transportation, etc. To qualify for the program you will need to meet the low income requirements. They also require that you have at least one dependent that you are providing for. If you do not have any dependents in your home then you may be able to get General Assistance through them, which is for those who are single without any dependents. The General Assistance grants work in the same way as the TANF grants in that you can use the monthly cash grant on any type of living expenses.
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) – This program used to be known as the food stamp program, but had a name change several years back. The federal program provides government grants for individuals with disabilities, as well as others who meet the low income requirements. If you qualify for the grant you will receive help purchasing your groceries each month in the form of a debit card that you can use as a payment source at the grocery store. Some farmers markets also accept SNAP payment sources. The amount you receive is determined by the number of people in your household.
Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) – This program is available around the country and is funded by the federal government. The mission of the system is to provide grants to help people pay for their home heating bills. If you need help paying for your home heating bill you can apply every year. You will have to show that you have a low income and be the person responsible for paying the bill. If you are approved for the grant it will be provided directly to the energy provider on your behalf. This program is typically run on a first come, first served basis, so be sure to get in your application at the beginning of each season before the funds have been depleted.
Housing and Urban Development (HUD) – This program has a mission of ensuring that everyone in the country has access to affordable housing. HUD has several programs within their system that will help people, including providing government grants for individuals with disabilities. If you need help paying your rent, avoiding foreclosure, or you need public housing this agency can help. Their voucher program allows you to live where you want and it pays your rent for you. Additionally, they offer programs that will provide you with free weatherization services and help pay for essential home repairs.
Lifeline Assistance – Having access to phone is essential, especially for those who have disabilities. The Lifeline Assistance program helps people with a low income to be able to have a free cell phone. If you meet the low income requirements you will get a free Smartphone, as well as free monthly service that include unlimited texts, data, and a hotspot for providing you with additional Internet access. You can apply for Lifeline Assistance online.
Medicaid – This government grant program will help those with disabilities pay for their medical bills. You will need to meet the low income requirements to be approved for the program. Those who are approved will receive help paying for primary care, hospitalization, eye exams, specialty doctors, and more. The program pays for the majority of your healthcare needs.
Some of these government grants for individuals with disabilities will require you to re-apply every year or so. They often approve you for a certain period of time, and you renew the application to show you still meet the grant requirements. Be sure to apply for all of the grant programs you feel you need.