Federal Benefit Programs
Most Americans are familiar with programs like Social Security and Medicare, but you need to know that from loans, to job training, to health insurance for uninsured children and many other services, there are scores of government benefit programs available to help.
Unemployment Compensation
Unemployment compensation represents the first and perhaps last line of defense against the ripple effect of joblessness. Then intention of the program is to provide eligible, unemployed workers with a weekly income adequate to allow them to afford the necessities of life, including food, shelter and clothing while they look for new jobs.
Unemployment compensation represents the first and perhaps last line of defense against the ripple effect of joblessness. Then intention of the program is to provide eligible, unemployed workers with a weekly income adequate to allow them to afford the necessities of life, including food, shelter and clothing while they look for new jobs.
Welfare Reform in the United States
From the Great Depression of the 1930s, until 1996, welfare in the United States consisted of little more than guaranteed cash payments to the poor. Monthly benefits were paid to poor persons -- mainly mothers and children -- regardless of their ability to work, assets on hand or other personal circumstances. As a result, many people remained on welfare for their entire lives. In 1996, Congress passed a law that resulted in sweeping welfare reform.
From the Great Depression of the 1930s, until 1996, welfare in the United States consisted of little more than guaranteed cash payments to the poor. Monthly benefits were paid to poor persons -- mainly mothers and children -- regardless of their ability to work, assets on hand or other personal circumstances. As a result, many people remained on welfare for their entire lives. In 1996, Congress passed a law that resulted in sweeping welfare reform.
About Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a federal government benefit program providing cash to meet basic needs for food, clothing, and shelter to persons who are blind or otherwise disabled and have little or no other income.
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a federal government benefit program providing cash to meet basic needs for food, clothing, and shelter to persons who are blind or otherwise disabled and have little or no other income.
Top Ten Federal Benefit and Assistance Programs
There are federal benefit programs available to help with many other life situations and needs. Here you will find profiles, including basic eligibility criteria and contact information for 10 of the most popular federal benefit and assistance programs.
There are federal benefit programs available to help with many other life situations and needs. Here you will find profiles, including basic eligibility criteria and contact information for 10 of the most popular federal benefit and assistance programs.
Your Tax Dollars at Work, or Not? How to Find Out
Rather than simply paying our money and taking our chances, U.S. taxpayers now have a simple way of finding out which federal programs are working, which are not.
Rather than simply paying our money and taking our chances, U.S. taxpayers now have a simple way of finding out which federal programs are working, which are not.
Profile of a Federal Benefit Program: Emergency Food Assistance
Profile of the federal Emergency Food Assistance Program.
Profile of the federal Emergency Food Assistance Program.
Profile of a Federal Benefit Program: Weatherization Assistance for Low Income Persons
Profile of federal Weatherization Assistance benefit program for low income persons.
Profile of federal Weatherization Assistance benefit program for low income persons.
Profile of a Federal Benefit Program: Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers
Profile of the federal Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers program.
Profile of the federal Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers program.
Profile of a Federal Benefit Program: Food Stamps
Profile of the Federal Food Stamp benefit program.
Profile of the Federal Food Stamp benefit program.
Profile of Federal Benefit Program: Employment and Training Assistance
Profile of employment and job training assistance available from the federal government.
Profile of employment and job training assistance available from the federal government.
Profile of a Federal Benefit Program: Medicare Prescription Drug Plans
Profile of the federal Medicare Prescription Drug Plan benefit.
Profile of the federal Medicare Prescription Drug Plan benefit.
Profile of a Federal Benefit Program: Stafford Student Loans
Profile of the federal Stafford Student Loan benefit program.
Profile of the federal Stafford Student Loan benefit program.
Profile of Federal Benefit Program: Social Security Retirement
Profile of the federal Social Security retirement benefit program.
Profile of the federal Social Security retirement benefit program.
Federal Benefit Program: Medicaid
Profile of the federal Medicaid benefit program
Profile of the federal Medicaid benefit program
Profile of Federal Benefit Program: Medicare
Profile of the fedaral Medicare benefit program.
Profile of the fedaral Medicare benefit program.
Social Security Primer
Since 1935, Social Security benefits have provided a dependable monthly income for retired persons, and disabled workers and their dependents. For some two-thirds of America's retirees, Social Security is the main source of income and the only source of income for the rest.
Since 1935, Social Security benefits have provided a dependable monthly income for retired persons, and disabled workers and their dependents. For some two-thirds of America's retirees, Social Security is the main source of income and the only source of income for the rest.
Medicare Primer
Medicare, created in 1965 as an amendment to the Social Security program, provides health insurance to persons age 65 and older, to qualifying persons under 65 with disabilities, and to persons of any age suffering from permanent kidney failure.
Medicare, created in 1965 as an amendment to the Social Security program, provides health insurance to persons age 65 and older, to qualifying persons under 65 with disabilities, and to persons of any age suffering from permanent kidney failure.
Extra Help For Medicare's Prescription Drug Plan
The Social Security Administration wants you to know that Medicare beneficiaries with limited incomes and resources may be able to get extra financial help paying for prescription drugs.
The Social Security Administration wants you to know that Medicare beneficiaries with limited incomes and resources may be able to get extra financial help paying for prescription drugs.
Medicare Drug Cards a 'Must' for Low-income Beneficiaries
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) is advising some seven million Medicare beneficiaries with low incomes that a Medicare-Approved Drug Discount Card could save them between 29 and 77 percent on the price of their brand name drugs.
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) is advising some seven million Medicare beneficiaries with low incomes that a Medicare-Approved Drug Discount Card could save them between 29 and 77 percent on the price of their brand name drugs.
Career Help from the U.S. Government
No matter what obstacles stand between you and a stable, rewarding career, the U.S. government has resources to help you overcome them.
No matter what obstacles stand between you and a stable, rewarding career, the U.S. government has resources to help you overcome them.
Federal Student Aid Primer
You want to go to college so you can make lots of money, but you don't have any money to go to college. Congratulations! You have just met the main requirement for getting government student financial aid.
You want to go to college so you can make lots of money, but you don't have any money to go to college. Congratulations! You have just met the main requirement for getting government student financial aid.
Are You Eligible for Federal Aid?
How can the government help you? A new Web site from the U.S. Department of Labor answers that often-asked question by helping Americans determine their eligibility for hundreds of federal and state assistance programs.
How can the government help you? A new Web site from the U.S. Department of Labor answers that often-asked question by helping Americans determine their eligibility for hundreds of federal and state assistance programs.
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance
A searchable compendium of all grants and public assistance programs currently funded by the U.S. federal government.
A searchable compendium of all grants and public assistance programs currently funded by the U.S. federal government.
When the Checks Not in the Mail
Government benefit check late? Here is some advice on how to deal with missing or incorrect checks from the government.
Government benefit check late? Here is some advice on how to deal with missing or incorrect checks from the government.
Money for a Small Business
The U.S. government does not currently provide grants for starting or expanding a small business. However, the government does offer plenty of free help in planning how to start or improve your business and in securing low-interest SBA-backed small business loans.
The U.S. government does not currently provide grants for starting or expanding a small business. However, the government does offer plenty of free help in planning how to start or improve your business and in securing low-interest SBA-backed small business loans.
Veterans Benefits Administration
Of the 25 million veterans currently alive, nearly three of every four served during a war or an official period of hostility. About a quarter of the nation's population -- approximately 70 million people -- are potentially eligible for VA benefits and services because they are veterans, family members or survivors of veterans.
Of the 25 million veterans currently alive, nearly three of every four served during a war or an official period of hostility. About a quarter of the nation's population -- approximately 70 million people -- are potentially eligible for VA benefits and services because they are veterans, family members or survivors of veterans.
Financial Aid for Cancer Patients
Anyone who has ever had to deal with cancer knows the staggering financial burdens the disease imposes on both patients and their families. In many cases, private or corporate health insurance plans cover at least a portion of the cost. But, for persons without health insurance, financial assistance from both government and private organizations is available.
Anyone who has ever had to deal with cancer knows the staggering financial burdens the disease imposes on both patients and their families. In many cases, private or corporate health insurance plans cover at least a portion of the cost. But, for persons without health insurance, financial assistance from both government and private organizations is available.
Health Insurance for Uninsured Children
Some 9 million children in the U.S. are not covered by health insurance. Sadly, more than 6 million of those children could be getting health care coverage through Medicaid or the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP).
Some 9 million children in the U.S. are not covered by health insurance. Sadly, more than 6 million of those children could be getting health care coverage through Medicaid or the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP).