In 2021, government assistance programs lifted 45.4 million Americans out of poverty, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.1 In these challenging economic times, millions struggle to make ends meet.
But there is hope – the U.S. government offers a wide array of programs designed to provide a helping hand to those facing financial hardship.
These initiatives form a vital social safety net, from nutrition assistance to housing subsidies to healthcare coverage. Here are 14 key government assistance programs to help low-income individuals and families weather financial storms and get back on their feet.
1. Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
Formerly known as food stamps, SNAP is a lifeline for many low-income families. This program helps put food on the table by providing monthly benefits to eligible households.
But SNAP isn’t just about fighting hunger – it also boosts local economies. In fact, every dollar in SNAP benefits generates $1.79 in economic activity.(ref) That’s a win-win situation!
2. Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
TANF is a cash assistance program administered by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. It provides temporary financial aid to low-income families working towards self-sufficiency. In 2017, TANF supported 2.5 million recipients, with 1.9 million of them being children.(ref)
The program also offers non-cash benefits like child care and job training to help families get back on their feet. However, it’s important to note that TANF has time limits and work requirements that vary by state.
3. Housing Choice Voucher Program
Having a roof over your head is a basic necessity, but for many low-income families, it’s a constant struggle. That’s where the Housing Choice Voucher Program comes in. This initiative helps families, seniors, and people with disabilities access affordable rental housing in the private market.
With a housing choice voucher, eligible households can lease or purchase safe and decent housing while paying no more than 30% of their income towards rent. The program currently assists over 2.2 million renters nationwide.
4. Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
Keeping the lights on and the house warm can be a major expense for low-income families. LIHEAP helps ease that burden by providing energy assistance and weatherization programs. The initiative distributes $3.4 billion in block grants to states each year.
These funds help struggling families pay their utility bills, make energy-efficient home improvements, and even handle weather-related emergencies. It’s a crucial program that ensures no one has to choose between keeping the power on and putting food on the table.
5. Medicaid
Healthcare is a fundamental human right, but for many Americans, it’s simply unaffordable. Medicaid is a joint federal and state program that provides health coverage to millions of low-income individuals and families.
The program covers various health services, including doctor visits, hospital stays, preventive care, and prescription drugs.
6. Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP)
No child should have to go without healthcare, regardless of their family’s financial situation. That’s the driving principle behind CHIP, a program that provides low-cost health coverage to children in families who earn too much to qualify for Medicaid but can’t afford private coverage.
CHIP covers essential health services like routine check-ups, immunizations, dental care, and more.
7. Head Start
Investing in early childhood education is one of the smartest things we can do as a society. Head Start is a comprehensive program that provides free early childhood education, health, nutrition, and parent involvement services to low-income children and families.
Studies have shown that Head Start participants are more likely to graduate high school, attend college, and have better health outcomes than their peers.(ref) In 2020, the program served over 830,000 children and pregnant people, giving them a strong foundation for future success.(ref)
8. Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
Disability and old age can make it difficult to make ends meet. SSI provides cash assistance to low-income seniors and people with disabilities to help them cover basic needs like food, clothing, and shelter.
In 2021, the average monthly SSI payment was $586 for an individual and $883 for a couple. While it’s not a lot, it can make a real difference for those struggling to get by on a fixed income.
9. Pell Grants
Higher education is the key to unlocking better job opportunities and higher earnings, but the cost of college can be a major barrier for low-income students. Pell Grants are federal grants awarded to undergraduate students with exceptional financial need.
Unlike loans, Pell Grants don’t have to be repaid, making them a valuable resource for students who might otherwise be unable to afford college. In the 2020-2021 academic year, over 6.4 million students received Pell Grants, with the average award being $4,166.(ref)
10. Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC)
The EITC is a refundable tax credit for low- to moderate-income working individuals and families. It’s designed to encourage and reward work while providing a much-needed financial boost.
In 2020, the average EITC was $2,461 per household, with the credit lifting 5.7 million people out of poverty, including 3 million children. It’s a prime example of how targeted tax policy can make a real difference in the lives of struggling families.
11. Lifeline Program
The Lifeline program offers discounted phone or internet service for low-income households. Eligible families can get discounts on monthly telephone service, broadband Internet service, or bundled voice-broadband packages.
Access to reliable phone and internet service is crucial for finding and maintaining employment, accessing healthcare, and staying connected to family and community.
12. Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP)
The ACP provides discounts on broadband services and devices to eligible low-income households, helping to address the digital divide. Eligible families may be able to get high-speed internet at no cost through this program.
Launched in 2021, the ACP has already connected over 10 million households to affordable broadband service. By making high-speed internet more accessible and affordable, the ACP is helping to level the playing field and ensure that all Americans can participate in the digital economy.
13. Unemployment Insurance
Unemployment insurance provides temporary financial assistance to eligible workers who become unemployed through no fault of their own. Benefit amounts and duration vary by state. The program is administered jointly by federal and state governments.
During economic downturns, unemployment insurance acts as an automatic stabilizer, helping to maintain consumer spending and prevent further job losses. A 2021 study by the Economic Policy Institute found that unemployment insurance kept 5.5 million people out of poverty in 2020.(ref)
14. Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants & Children (WIC)
WIC provides federal grants to states for supplemental foods, health care referrals, and nutrition education for low-income pregnant and postpartum women, and to infants and children up to age five who are at nutritional risk.
Numerous studies have shown that WIC participation leads to healthier births, improved nutrition, and better health outcomes for both mothers and children. A 2019 review of the research found that WIC participation was associated with a reduction in the risk of preterm birth and low birthweight infants.(ref)
These 14 government programs provide a vital safety net for millions of Americans struggling to make ends meet. By offering financial assistance, nutrition support, healthcare, education, and other essential services, these programs help to alleviate poverty, improve health and well-being, and create opportunities for upward mobility.
Source:
Read Next:
Nancy Maffia
Nancy received a bachelor’s in biology from Elmira College and a master’s degree in horticulture and communications from the University of Kentucky. Worked in plant taxonomy at the University of Florida and the L. H. Bailey Hortorium at Cornell University, and wrote and edited gardening books at Rodale Press in Emmaus, PA. Her interests are plant identification, gardening, hiking, and reading.
