Federal Pell Grant Program
The Department of Education runs the Federal Pell Grant Program to promote postsecondary education for students from low-income households. Grants are similar to scholarships and dont need to be repaid. They are designed to go to undergraduate students based on factors such as the cost of attendance at the school and expected family and student contribution. In 2017, there were approximately 4,800 participating postsecondary institutions and grants were awarded for amounts between $592 and $5,920, with the average award totaling $4,050 per recipient.
How Can Benefits Help Local Governments In Recruiting
If you ask anyone thats been in local government long-term, What made you stick around? more often than not, the answer is their pension.
Benefits like pensions and health insurance wield the potential for your local government to get jobs filled by highly-qualified and motivated employees and keep them around.
Fact Sheet: Immigrants And Public Benefits
Are undocumented immigrants eligible for federal public benefit programs?
Generally no. Undocumented immigrants, including DACA holders, are ineligible to receive most federal public benefits, including means-tested benefits such as Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program , regular Medicaid, Supplemental Security Income , and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families . Undocumented immigrants are ineligible for health care subsidies under the Affordable Care Act and are prohibited from purchasing unsubsidized health coverage on ACA exchanges.
Undocumented immigrants may be eligible for a handful of benefits that are deemed necessary to protect life or guarantee safety in dire situations, such as emergency Medicaid, access to treatment in hospital emergency rooms, or access to healthcare and nutrition programs under the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children .
Are legal immigrants eligible for federal public benefit programs?
LPRs are eligible to apply for Medicare and Public/Section 8 Housing as well, as long as the five-year bar is fulfilled. For LPRs to become eligible for Social Security benefits for both retirement and disability, they are required to have completed 40 quarters of work in addition to having maintained LPR status for five years.
Are immigrants eligible for state benefit programs?
What is the protocol for mixed-status families, i.e., undocumented parents with citizen children?
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What Makes Government Workers Leave
The challenges listed above make it easy for private sector businesses to poach government workers, leaving critical government positions wide open.
Oftentimes, the slow-moving bureaucracy is the challenge that makes retaining government workers difficult. For many of the people that join local governments as employees, the goal isnt necessarily to make a lot of money, but to make a positive impact on their community. If they find that inefficiency is making it impossible to bring change, theyll go somewhere that they will feel like theyre making a difference.
Heres a helpful resource for keeping your workers around: Local Government Employee Retention guide.
Public Health Care And Medical Assistance
Medicaid:Health care and benefits are offered to low-income families who either have inadequate medical insurance or completely lack coverage or the unemployed. While the federal government sets some guidelines and regulations on this public benefit, your state administers Medicaid and determines eligibility conditions. Find a listing of free health and dental care programs.
Medicare:This is the primary federal government health insurance benefit program. The main recipients are people over 65 years of age as well as individuals under age 65 with certain disabilities. Most seniors sign up for the Medicare public insurance program as soon as they meet age limits. Call 1-800-633-4227.
A discount drug card is available as part of Medicare. If you use the card when you buy your medications, patients can receive up to a 20% savings on their medications, whether they are generic or brand name. The card may have a minimal annual fee of up to $30 per year however qualified low income families can have that fee waived.
Prescription drug coverage:Certain Medicare beneficiaries can also sign up for this program. It is an insurance program that helps lower the costs of prescription medications. Consumers have the ability to select their plan based on the monthly premium and benefits offered.
Also Check: Can I Get Government Assistance
How Do I Reverse My Social Security Exemption
If you are still not eligible, you must contact the IRS to cancel your privacy. You must do so within 60 days of the date on which you did not qualify for the exemption, and the IRS will tell you the date the cancellation will take effect.
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Donât Miss: Government Programs To Stop Foreclosure
Free Money From The Government
The federal government does not offer grants or free money to individuals to start a business or cover personal expenses, contrary to what you might see online or in the media. Websites or other publications claiming to offer “free money from the government” are often scams. Report them to the Federal Trade Commission.
Also Check: Does The Government Give Student Loans
Other Types Of Help If Youre Homeless
Visit Benefits.gov to find out if youre eligible and how to apply for other types of help. This may include financial assistance, transportation, food, counseling, and more.
If you dont have medical insurance, you can use HRSA health centers. They give checkups, treatment when youre sick, pregnancy care, and immunizations for your children.
What Types Of Grants Support Canadians Living At Home
The grants that support Canadians aging in place contribute to the safety, accessibility and cost efficiency of your home. However, they are not applicable to cosmetic projects undertaken to increase the value or look of your home. Here are some of the home living needs that the various programs address.
Read Also: Government Grants For Home Improvements For Senior Citizens
Bonus: Provincial Drug Benefit Programs
Close to half of Canadians over the age of 18 have used at least one prescription drug. Depending on your ailments, drugs can dig a deep hole in your pocket.
Thats why individual provinces and territories have introduced drug benefit programs, to help offset the high costs of medication. For example, the Ontario Trillium Drug Benefithelps Canadians pay for their prescription drugs if they meet the following criteria:
- They live in Ontario and have a valid Ontario health card number.
- They spend about 4% of their income on prescription drugs .
- They dont have an insurance plan that pays for all of their prescription drug costs.
Each eligible Canadian must pay a deductible each year before acceptance to the program. After that, they can pay no more than $2 per prescription drug!
While this program applies to Canadians in Ontario, other provinces have similar drug benefits as well, like Manitoba Pharmacare and Newfoundlands Prescription Drug Program.
Wondering if your province has a drug benefit program? Click here to find out!
Federal Benefits And Programs For Seniors
Service Canada
The federal government is most responsible for income security programs for seniors. They manage two major public pension programs through Service Canada:
- Old Age Security , based on years of living in Canada, and
- Canada Pension Plan , based on years of work in Canada and the amount paid into the plan.
OAS benefits represent about 14% of pre-retirement earnings for someone earning at the average wage, while CPP provides about 25%. It is generally considered that retirement income should replace about 60% to 70% of pre-retirement earnings for retirees to maintain their standard of living in retirement.
More information on the various income security programs can be found at Service Canada. We also provide more information below. You can find your nearest Service Canada Office by clicking here: Find your nearest Service Canada office
Seniors Canada
Information about most federal government programs for seniors can be found below, and at Seniors Canada.
Find information you need on community organizations, retirement residences, medical offices, etc.
Recommended Reading: Federal Government Student Loan Consolidation
Fact: Most Americans Receiving Public Benefits Paid For Them
For many, the phrase public benefits implies money handed out to poor peoplebut thats not the case. Recipients who benefit from the nations major social insurance programsSocial Security, Medicare, and unemployment insuranceinclude middle-class and low-income Americans. In 2010, 39 percent of households had at least one person participating in at least one of these programs. Within the fiscal year 2011 budget, those three programs accounted for an estimated 60 percent of the dollars going out to individuals.
Within these social insurance programs, most of the participants have paid into them, through payroll taxes taken out of their own paychecks and through contributions paid on their behalf by their employers. Like private life or property insurance, everyone makes regular contributions with the expectation that when a certain event occurs , they will be protected and able to collect benefits they have paid for.
Conservatives focus on how the costs of these programs have grown over the past several decades, but so too have the publics payments into them. Currently payments into social insurance programs represent an estimated 37 percent of federal receipts in 2011, compared to 17 percent in 1961 and 31 percent in 1981, including federal employees payments into their retirement accounts .
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Canada Worker Lockdown Benefit
If you live in Canada, you have likely experienced a COVID-19 lockdown.
If youre deemed a non-essential worker, this is a heavy blow to your finances. The revolving door of closures is frustrating, especially if you’ve gotten back into the groove of returning to work. Fortunately, you may be eligible for the Canada Worker Lockdown Benefit if a lockdown forces you out of work again.
The CWLB is a benefit that offers temporary financial support of $300per week before tax to employed and self-employed Canadians who are out of work because of a COVID-19 lockdown designated in their region.
Here are some of the main eligibility criteria:
- Youre 15 years old or older.
- You have a Social Insurance Number.
- You reside in Canada and were present during the lockdown order.
- You didnt receive Employment Insurance , the Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit , the Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit , the Québec Parental Insurance Plan , or short-term disability benefits for the same period.
- You filed a 2020 tax return and made $5,000 either in 2020, 2021, or in the last 12 months.
To receive this benefit, you must apply separately every week and sign up for direct deposit. Apply for the CWLB today!
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Canada Benefits Website Government Of Canada
- Information Services
Find federal, provincial, and territorial programs and services in one convenient location. The Canada Benefits website is a unique service provided by Service Canada to help you find customized result when searching for appropriate programs and services. Information related to housing and health, newcomers, persons with disabilities, Aboriginal persons, and much more can be found on this site.
Receive Free Tax Return Preparation
The IRS offers free tax return preparation through its Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program if you meet at least one of the criteria below:
- Make less than $54,000 a year
- Have a disability
- Speak limited English
Seniors aged 60 years or older can also receive free tax help through the Tax Counseling for the Elderly program. IRS-certified volunteers can help you with your retirement and pension-related questions.
With either program, the tax prep volunteers will work to ensure your tax bill is as low as possible. Maybe you will even receive a tax refund.
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Childs Health Insurance Program
CHIP offers free or low-cost medical and dental care to uninsured kids up to age 19 whose family income is above Medicaids limit but below their states CHIP limit. In addition to Medicaid, six million children received additional benefits from CHIP. It covers hospital care, medical supplies, and tests. It also provides preventive care, such as eye exams, dental care, and regular check-ups. CHIP is also administered through CMS in the Department of Health and Human Services.
Prepare Yourself And Your Family
- Make sure your state ID or drivers license is current and available. Shelters and assistance programs may have strict ID requirements.
- If possible, store your belongings. Shelters have limits on how much you may bring.
- Arrange for your mail to be delivered somewhere or talk to your local post office. Many have special services for people who are homeless. You may be able to get a free PO box or receive general delivery service.
- Pack a bag for yourself and each member of your family.
- Keep important documents and needed medications with you.
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Empathetic Transparent Honest Boss
For employees that genuinely want to grow within their role and organization, honest feedback from leadership is crucial. Take the time to highlight the strengths and weaknesses of employees within your purview, and offer constructive feedback on the ways they can improve their skill set for better performance and a chance to rise up the ranks.
What Is A Grant From The Government
A grant is one of the ways the government funds ideas and projects to provide public services and stimulate the economy. Grants support critical recovery initiatives, innovative research, and many other programs. You can find a list of projects supported by grants in the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance . You can also learn about the federal grant process and search for government grants at Grants.gov.
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Government Assistance Programs For Utilities
One of the largest household expenses after food and housing is utilities. Keeping the lights on and heating and cooling your home can take up a huge portion of your monthly income. These programs can help offset those costs and help you save on energy bills.
Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program
A federally-funded program designed to help low-income families with energy costs, LIHEAP provides financial assistance for paying heating and cooling bills.
#LIHEAP helps the most vulnerable American families afford their home energy bills. We urge Congress to #ProtectLIHEAP and our communities. #LIHEAPaction
National Grid US
It can also help with emergency or crisis issues, like having your heat shut off in the winter or weatherizing your home. It doesnt provide assistance for water or sewer bills.
Weatherization Assistance Program
This is a program run by the U.S. Department of Energy that provides grants to help low-income households reduce their energy costs by improving the energy efficiency and safety of their homes. Families must meet eligibility requirements to receive this type of assistance.
You can read more about the program and eligibility requirements by visiting the Weatherization Assistance Programs website.
Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit
Parents had it rough during the pandemic with all the school closures. Sometimes, daycare isnt an option, so parents needed to take time off from work to stay home with the kids. The same is true for Canadians who care for family members needing supervised care.
The Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit is income support of $500 per week before tax for Canadians staying home to take care of children or family members for reasons related to COVID-19. Eligible Canadians can receive the benefit for 44 weeks, between September 27, 2020, and May 7, 2022.
Here are some of the main eligibility criteria:
- You cant work at least 50% of the time because of caring obligations for a family member due to COVID-19-related reasons.
- You reside in and are present in Canada.
- Youre 15 years old or older.
- You have a Social Insurance Number.
- You havent applied for or received the Canada Recovery Benefit, the CRCB, the CWLP, EI, QPIP, or short-term disability benefits over the same period.
Think you qualify? Apply for the CRCB today!
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Miscellaneous Government Assistance Programs
Whether you need assistance with your phone service, starting a business, or have suffered a job loss, there are programs that can help.
Lifeline
Lifeline is a discount cell phone service administered by the FCC, and is available to low-income people in every U.S. state, territory, commonwealth, and on Tribal lands. The cost is $9.25 per month.
In order to use Lifeline, you must meet certain income eligibility requirements. This means your income should be at or below 135% of the federal poverty level. You may also be eligible if you participate in certain assistance programs including:
- Federal Public Housing Assistance
- Certain Tribal assistance programs
Lifeline provides both cell phone and landline service and works with broadband. However, you may only use the Lifeline program for one service FCC rules prohibit more than one Lifeline service per household.
FCC takes big step in automating Lifeline eligibility verification. For more info, visit: #ProtectingConsumers#Lifeline
The FCC
If you find that you need help with your phone service but dont qualify for Lifeline, there are other ways to get free or discounted cell phone service.
Related: 8 Places to Get a Free Phone for Low-Income Earners
Small business loans
If youre interested in having your own business but dont have the start-up capital, a loan from the Small Business Administration can help.
You check for those grants and even apply for them from your phone by visiting Grants.gov.
