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Making Sense of Government Benefits

Times are tough, jobs are scarce and paychecks are smaller. You may not be getting a paycheck right now. Bills are piling up, your fridge is looking bare and you’re probably feeling overwhelmed. The last thing you want to do is apply for government benefits. You might be feeling the social stigma, but you shouldn’t let it deter you from getting the help you need and have the right to use. In efforts to deter welfare fraud and abuse, many states have made the process of applying for benefits seem daunting and out of reach. But don’t give up, because this article will help you better understand what government benefits are available and how they can help you.

To apply for any benefits, you’ll need more information than just your name and contact information. You’ll likely need to provide photo ID, your birth certificate or Social Security card. Keep copies of your last pay stubs and any proof of income anyone in your household has. You will also likely need to provide copies of your bills and expenses and information about your bank accounts. You may also need to report if you or any family members own cars or other vehicles. Remember that different benefits have different requirements.

Food stamps are now known as SNAP, or the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. If you qualify for SNAP, you won’t receive any actual coupons; instead, you will get a debit card that is loaded with your monthly allotment of money. It can be used to buy almost any type of food at stores that accept the card and many stores do. When you make a purchase, the receipt will print out your remaining balance, which can also be checked online.

You may have heard of TANF, or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families. The program gives participants a monthly amount of cash assistance. Each individual is allotted only 60 months of benefits for their entire lifetime. States can determine the standards by which families may qualify, but in general, only families that have children are eligible. TANF also has work requirements, and if these are not met, you may lose benefits.

You may have also heard of WIC, which stands for Women, Infants and Children. If you have babies or young children and qualify for SNAP, TANF, or other programs, you are likely eligible for WIC. The program can provide you with a check or voucher to purchase food products for infants and children. Some states use debit cards like food stamps do. You may have seen certain items in your local store marked as WIC items. The program will also provide you with some health services for your children, including immunizations.

If winter weather is closing in and you need heating assistance, look for LIHEAP, which stands for Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program. If you are eligible, LIHEAP will allot you a certain amount of money for the season to cover your heating (or cooling) bills. You may also be able to take advantage of weatherization services to make your home stay warm. You may be required to have weatherization done in order to receive LIHEAP. You should also call your utility companies and ask for their budget plans.

Remember that although these programs are federally funded, they are distributed by the states, so rules that determine how you qualify will vary from state to state. Don’t forget to ask your caseworker if there are any other programs or services that you may qualify for.

It’s not easy to have to ask for help, but these programs exist for people like you, who are in need of them. Do not let yourself feel ashamed for using them. Applying can seem like a lot of work, but it will get you the help you need to get through these difficult times.

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