Learn about programs developed for rural residents, families, veterans, seniors, small businesses, farmers, ranchers, and others looking for assistance.
For a more comprehensive listing of federal programs available to individuals, please visit the Benefits Finder at Benefits.gov.
Agriculture and Environmental Sustainability
The best website to visit for a comprehensive list of agricultural and environmental sustainability programs and assistance is benefits.gov.
Children and Families
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
This program provides Eligible low-income families with children monthly cash assistance payments, as well as a wide range of services. Contact your state’s TANF office for more information.
Medicaid and CHIP offer free or low-cost health insurance for kids and teens. Children can get regular check-ups, immunizations, doctor and dentist visits, hospital care, mental health services, prescriptions and more. State Office Locator
The Office of Head Start (OHS) helps young children from low-income families prepare to succeed in school through local programs. Head Start and Early Head Start programs promote children's development through services that support early learning, health, and family well-being.
Childcare
Childcare.gov provides information and assistance with paying for childcare and finding childcare in your area.
Additional Programs and Services
Visit the Family and Children Services page at benefits.gov for a comprehensive list.
Disaster Relief
The best website to visit for a comprehensive list of disaster relief programs and assistance is benefits.gov.
Education and Training
The best website to visit for a comprehensive list of education and training programs and assistance is benefits.gov.
Employment and Career Development
The best website to visit for a comprehensive list of employment and career development programs and assistance is benefits.gov.
Food and Nutrition
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
SNAP provides nutrition benefits to supplement the food budget of needy families so they can purchase healthy food and move towards self-sufficiency. Visit the website to find information about eligibility and how to apply.
National School Lunch Program and the School Breakfast Program
This program, run by individual states, provides nutritionally balanced meals to children as part of their regular school day. Check your state’s program website or office to determine eligibility.
If a household receives Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, all of the children who attend school automatically qualify for free school meals, as do children in households which receive Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) benefits.
Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP)
This programs helps supplement the diets of low-income Americans, including elderly people, by providing them with emergency food assistance at no cost. Check your state’s program website or office to determine eligibility.
Additional Programs and Assistance
Visit the Food and Nutrition page on benefits.gov for a comprehensive list of programs.
Healthcare and Medical Assistance
The federal government provides and funds many healthcare and financial assistance programs for Americans. Here are links to information about benefits and assistance.
This website provides comprehensive information about various healthcare and assistance programs. You can determine what programs you qualify for and enroll or change plans if you have certain life events or income range.
Specific Healthcare Programs
If you want to visit specific healthcare program websites, here are links to each program.
| Seniors | |
| Low-income Individuals | |
| Children |
CHIP is administered by individual states. About CHIP | State Program Locator |
| Active Military | |
| Veterans |
Find a Health Center
Use this locator to find a Health Center near you.
Substance Abuse
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) provides:
- A hotline (1-800-662-HELP)
- Treatment locator
- Links to other topics and resources
Mental Health Assistance
- Dial 988** for immediate assistance.
- Mentalhealth.gov
This website is a comprehensive resource for everyone, including how to get mental health services. You can also SAMHSA’s treatment locator for mental health services.
Additional Programs and Assistance
Visit the of Healthcare and Medical Services page on benefits.gov for a comprehensive list of programs.
Housing
The best website to see a comprehensive list of housing programs and assistance is benefits.gov.
Immigration and Refugee Assistance
Refugee Resettlement Assistance and Services
If you have been granted asylum in the United States, you may be eligible to receive assistance and services through the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR). These programs are run by state and private agencies in various locations throughout the United States. Summary of Services | State Resource Locator
Benefits for Afghan and Iraqi Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) Holders or SQ/SI Parolees
Benefits for Cuban/Haitian Entrants
You may be eligible for cash assistance, medical assistance, employment preparation, job placement, English language training, and other services offered through the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR). You may also be eligible for federal “mainstream” (non-ORR funded) benefits, such as cash assistance through Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), health insurance through Medicaid, and food assistance through Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
Additional Programs and Assistance
For additional programs and services, go to Immigration and Refugee Assistance at benefits.gov.
Military: Active Duty and Veterans
Go to Benefits.gov to view a comprehensive list of benefits for active military, veterans and their families. We’ve listed the links to Healthcare and Medical Assistance below.
Medical
- Active Military: Tricare
- Veterans: Veterans Affairs Healthcare
Social Security and Retirement
The best website to visit for a comprehensive list of social security and retirement programs and assistance is benefits.gov.
Transportation
The best website to visit for a comprehensive list of transportation programs and assistance is benefits.gov.
Utilities and Energy
Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
This program, administrated by states, helps keep families safe and healthy through initiatives that assist families with energy costs by providing help with:
- Paying for home energy bills including electricity, natural gas, propane, fuel oil, or wood. Priority assistance for households without, or in danger of being without, heating or cooling.
- Fixing your heating and cooling equipment.
- Assistance during or after a natural disaster
Find assistance in your state with our State LIHEAP map.
Women
Women’s Health
- Woman’s health topics, policy and research: Visit the Office of Women’s Health and the CDC’s Office are Women’s Health websites. These websites contain the latest and comprehensive information about women’s health.
- Preventative Care: Visit this page to understand the preventative care and services your doctor and other providers in your plan’s network must cover without charging a copayment or coinsurance. This is true even if you haven’t met your yearly deductible.
Small Business
U.S. Small Business Administration has created Women's Business Centers which provide free, to low-cost counseling and training and focus on women who want to start, grow, and expand their small business. Visit this resource to learn how you can get support for your business.
Women Farmers
The Center for Rural Affairs includes a dedicated page listing program partnerships, workshops, and resources to support women who are aspiring, beginning, and already farming.
Women Veterans
The Center for Women Veterans’ (CWV) monitors and coordinates VA’s administration of health care, benefits, services, and programs for women Veterans. Their website provides links to resources and information about the services and benefits.