Wednesday, March 27, 2024

What Government Benefits Do I Qualify For

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The Affordable Connectivity Program Benefit Can Help Pay For At& t Internet Plans

How to apply for federal COVID-19 benefits

The ACP is a federal government program that can help eligible customers pay for their home internet service. Through the ACP, eligible customers can reduce their AT& T Internet bill by up to $30 per month*, or up to $75 per month if they live on qualified Tribal Lands. *Terms, conditions & restrs apply.

Do You Have A Comprehensive And Detailed Retirement Plan

Whether you have low income or are feeling financially free, having a detailed and comprehensive retirement plan is an absolute necessity.

The NewRetirement retirement planning calculator is widely considered the best free online tool. It is highly detailed and easy to use, best of all it saves your information so you can quickly make adjustments as your finances and plans evolve.

Terms of Use: Your use of this site constitutes acceptance of the Terms of Use.

What Is An Emergency

An emergency is an urgent need or situation that has to be taken care of right away. Some examples of an emergency are:

  • You are homeless
  • You have little or no food
  • Your landlord has told you that you must move or has given you eviction papers
  • You do not have fuel for heating in the cold weather period
  • Your utilities are shut-off or are about to be shut-off, or you have a 72-hour disconnect notice
  • You or someone in your family has been physically harmed, or threatened with violence by a partner, ex-partner or other household member

If you and/or your family are experiencing an emergency situation, you may be eligible for emergency assistance. Some examples of emergency assistance include, but are not limited to:

  • Payment of shelter arrears
  • Payment of fuel and/or cost of fuel delivery
  • Payment of Domestic Violence Shelter costs
  • Payment of Temporary Housing costs

Payments may be authorized once you are determined to be eligible for one of the following emergency programs:

Emergency Assistance to Adults – provides assistance for individuals and couples who have been determined eligible or are receiving SSI or State Supplementation Program payments.

Emergency Assistance to Needy Families – provides assistance to meet the emergency needs of pregnant women and families with at least one child under age 18, or under age 19 and regularly attending full time secondary school.

Emergency Safety Net Assistance – provides emergency assistance to single adults and childless couples.

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Alabama Food Stamp Calculator: Do You Qualify For Al Snap Benefits

In this community resource guide, you will learn how to use a tool called the Alabama food stamp calculator.

If you are having trouble paying your bills and feeding your family, you may be wondering whether you qualify for Alabamas Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. There is software that can tell you if you qualify for food aid in Alabama, and well teach you how to use it in this article.

The food stamp calculator for Alabama is a simple tool that takes only a few minutes to produce your results. Continue reading to learn more about the food stamp calculator for Alabama and whether or not you should apply for SNAP benefits.

How Much Work Do You Need

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In addition to meeting our definition of disability, you must have worked long enough and recently enough under Social Security to qualify for disability benefits.

Social Security work credits are based on your total yearly wages or self-employment income. You can earn up to four credits each year.

The amount needed for a work credit changes from year to year. In 2022, for example, you earn one credit for each $1,510 in wages or self-employment income. When you’ve earned $6,040 you’ve earned your four credits for the year.

The number of work credits you need to qualify for disability benefits depends on your age when your disability begins. Generally, you need 40 credits, 20 of which were earned in the last 10 years ending with the year your disability begins. However, younger workers may qualify with fewer credits.

For more information on whether you qualify, refer to How You Earn Credits.

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Government Assistance For The Deaf

There is a variety of government assistance available for the deaf, including financial assistance, educational programs, and support services. Financial assistance may be in the form of grants, loans, or subsidies, and can help cover the costs of tuition, interpreters, and other necessary expenses. Educational programs may provide deaf students with access to specialized schools or services, such as sign language interpreters. Support services can include access to interpreters, captioning, and other accommodations.

People with deaf, hard of hearing, deafblind, or speech-language issues are eligible for free assistance through the Tax Departments direct telephone assistance program. You can reach out to someone by phone, computer, TTY or TTD equipment, or through your desktop, laptop, or mobile device. Our website is designed to make it simple for you to use our vast online resources and services.

Special Rules For People Who Are Blind Or Have Low Vision

We consider you to be legally blind under Social Security rules if your vision cannot be corrected to better than 20/200 in your better eye or if your visual field is 20 degrees or less, even with a corrective lens. Many people who meet the legal definition of blindness still have some sight and may be able to read large print and get around without a cane or a guide dog.

If you do not meet the legal definition of blindness, you may still qualify for disability benefits if your vision problems alone or combined with other health problems prevent you from working.

There are a number of special rules for people who are blind that recognize the severe impact of blindness on a persons ability to work. For example, the monthly earnings limit for people who are blind is generally higher than the limit that applies to non-blind disabled workers.

In 2021, the monthly earnings limit is $2,190.

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Cons Of Government Food Programs

  • Social stigma for recipients
  • Consistency and quality of state-run programs vary
  • Limitations on what products can be purchased
  • Mandated work requirements difficult for adults with children

The table below lists eligibility requirements for federal food programs.

Program

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Who Qualifies For Student Loan Forgiveness

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In August 2022, President Biden announced a plan for student loan forgiveness for up to $20,000 in federal loans per borrower. To receive the maximum forgiveness, a borrower must earn less than $125,000 a year and have received a Pell Grant in college. Those who did not receive a Pell Grant are eligible for $10,000 in forgiveness.

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Enroll In Or Change Federal Benefits

  • If you are a current employee, you can only enroll in or change your federal employee benefits during the annual Open Season.
  • You may enroll in or change your plans outside Open Season only if you experience a qualifying life event, such as marriage.
  • New employees can enroll in benefits outside of Open Season.
  • Open Season does not include FEGLI. Outside of FEGLI’s infrequent open seasons, you can enroll or increase your coverage if:
  • You take a physical exam or
  • You have a qualifying life event
  • Learn more about enrolling in, changing, or canceling FEGLI benefits.

    Adults With A Disability That Began Before Age 22

    An adult who has a disability that began before age 22 may be eligible for benefits if their parent is deceased or starts receiving retirement or disability benefits. We consider this a “child’s” benefit because it is paid on a parent’s Social Security earnings record.

    The Disabled Adult Child who may be an adopted child, or, in some cases, a stepchild, grandchild, or step grandchild must be unmarried, age 18 or older, have a qualified disability that started before age 22, and meet the definition of disability for adults.

    Example

    It is not necessary that the DAC ever worked. Benefits are paid based on the parent’s earnings record.

    • A DAC must not have substantial earnings. The amount of earnings we consider substantial increases each year. In 2022, this means working and earning more than $1,350 a month.

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    Can You Do Any Other Type Of Work

    If you cant do the work you did in the past, we look to see if there is other work you could do despite your medical impairment.

    We consider your medical conditions, age, education, past work experience, and any transferable skills you may have. If you cant do other work, well decide you qualify for disability benefits. If you can do other work, well decide that you dont have a qualifying disability and your claim will be denied.

    Advance Child Tax Credit

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    Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the CTC was expanded under the American Rescue Plan of 2021. The IRS pre-paid half the total credit amount in monthly payments from July to December 2021. When you file your 2021 tax return, you can claim the other half of the total CTC.

    Learn more about the Advance Child Tax Credit.

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    Other Types Of Benefits And Programs For The Unemployed

    Educational Help

    Federal agencies offer many unemployment education and training programs. They are generally free or low cost to the unemployed.

    Self-Employment Help

    Self-employment assistance programs help unemployed workers start their own small businesses. Delaware, Mississippi, New Hampshire, New York, and Oregon offer this program.

    Watch Out For Government Grant And Loan Scams

    Though there are many excellent government assistance programs out there, there are even more fraudulent scams designed to take advantage of low-income people in need of help. If you are contacted by someone promising a grant or loan through the government to help off-set your costs, this is very likely a scam. If someone contacts you and says you have been awarded a government grant, that you won a drawing for a government grant, or a number of other claims promising you a block of money in the form of a government loan or grant, collect all the information you can from the person and do not give out any information of your own. These kinds of statements are more often tied to scams meant to harm people, and are not actually affiliated with the federal government. You can report a fraud or find out if you might have been targeted for a fraud by contacting the Federal Trade Commission online, or call toll-free, 1-877-FTC-HELP TTY: 1-866-653-4261. You can also report grant-related scam attempts to the Health and Human Services Fraud Hotline at 1-800-447-8477. Again, do not give your personal information, including your social security number, bank account numbers, birth date, or any other personal details, to anyone contacting you about a grant or loan.

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    Did You Know Half A Million Eligible Canadians Dont Claim Their Rightful Disability Benefits

    In addition to being put off by the CRAs complex application processes, many Canadians dont realize that their chronic condition meets the threshold for the Canadian Disability Tax Credit .

    Claiming your rightful Canadian disability benefits isnt necessarily tied to the name of your condition, but how severely it affects your day-to-day life. That means severe cases of otherwise commonplace conditions can qualify, while mild cases of less common ones may not. In order to be eligible to qualify:

  • Your condition causes severe physical and/or mental impairment.
  • Your impairment has persisted or will persist for at least one year.
  • A medical practitioner must certify the severity of your impairment on your Disability Tax Credit application.
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    Emergency Broadband Benefit Program

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    The EBB opened for enrollment on May 12, 2021, and provides a monthly discount of $50 to $75 for households that qualify. The program also grants a one-time discount of up to $100 toward a new laptop, desktop, or tablet purchased from participating providers.

    Your household is eligible if at least one member meets one of the following criteria:

    • Has income at or below 135% of the current Federal Poverty Level or participates in certain assistance programs, such as SNAP, Medicaid, or Lifeline.
    • Is approved to receive benefits under the free and reduced-price school lunch program or the school breakfast program, including through the USDA Community Eligibility Provision in the 2020 to 2021 school year.
    • Received a Federal Pell Grant during the current award year.
    • Experienced a substantial loss of income due to job loss or furlough since Feb. 29, 2020, and the household had a total income in 2020 at or below $99,000 for single filers and $198,000 for joint filers.
    • Meets the eligibility criteria for a participating providers existing low-income or COVID-19 program.

    To apply, do one of the following:

    • Contact a participating broadband provider directly to learn about its application process.
    • Go to GetEmergencyBroadband.org to apply online and to find participating providers near you.

    The EBB program is scheduled to end six months after the Department of Health and Human Services declares an end to the pandemic, or if the program runs out of funds.

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    What Medical Conditions Qualify For The Disability Tax Credit

    The disability tax credit is different from other disability benefits plans. The above disability plans focus on how your medical condition affects your ability to work. The is not focused on your ability to work. Rather, it focuses on impairment with your daily activities.

    Eligibility Criteria for the Disability Tax Credit

    • be in at least one basic activity of daily living
    • be significantly restricted in two or more basic activities of daily living
    • need life sustaining therapy

    You will automatically qualify for the disability tax credit if your medical condition causes blindness or you to need life sustaining therapy.

    To qualify as blind your visual acuity in both eyes must be 20/200 or less or your field of vision in both eyes is 20 degrees or less.

    To qualify under the life sustaining therapy requirement, the therapy must be needed to support a vital function, and you must need it at least 3 times per week for an average of 14 hours per week.

    The basic activities of daily living include the following:

    • Mental functions necessary for everyday life

    To qualify for the disability tax credit you must show that you are markedly restricted in one of these areas. A marked restriction means that you are unable to do the BADL or take an inordinate amount of time to do it. This restriction must be present 90% of the time.

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    Vita And Tce Tax Filing Assistance Programs

    The IRS has two in-person tax assistance programs: the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program and Tax Counseling for the Elderly . Both offer free tax-preparation assistance to qualified individuals. VITA generally applies to you if your income is $57,000 or less, you are disabled, or you have limited English-speaking skills. TCE is for citizens aged 60 or older.

    You can find VITA and TCE program sites using either the IRS TCE/VITA locator tool or the AARP Foundation Tax-Aide site locator tool.

    Due to the coronavirus pandemic, all TCE sites and many VITA sites are closed until further notice. Use the VITA locator tool to find out if a site near you is open.

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    How Do I Apply For Temporary Assistance

    To find out if you are eligible to receive Temporary Assistance, including help with an emergency, you need to file an application with your county Department of Social Services or, if you live in one of the five boroughs of New York City, with your local Job Center.

    You can find the location of your online, or by calling the toll-free OTDA Hotline at 1-800-342-3009.

    You can apply online at myBenefits.ny.gov or fill out the and file it at your local department of Social Services. You should identify any emergency needs you may have at this time. If you have an emergency, you will be interviewed and told in writing about the decision on your emergency the same day you apply.

    For Temporary Assistance, your interview should be within seven working days of your filing an application. You should be told within 30 days of the date you filed your application if your application for Family Assistance is approved or denied, or be told within 45 days of the date you filed your application for Safety Net Assistance if your application is approved or denied.

    Fear Of Being Considered A Public Charge

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    The immigration laws allow officials to deny an application for lawful permanent residence or to deny a noncitizen entry into the U.S. if the authorities determine that the person is likely to become a public charge. In deciding whether an immigrant is likely to become a public charge, immigration or consular officials review the totality of the circumstances, including the persons health, age, income, education and skills, employment, family circumstances, and, most importantly, the affidavits of support.

    The Trump administration attempted to alter this policy dramatically by issuing rules that made it much more difficult for low- and middle-income families to immigrate, and that profoundly exacerbated the chilling effect on access to services. Multiple courts found that the rules were likely unlawful. The Biden administration dismissed the appeals of these decisions, allowed an order vacating the DHS rule to take effect, and formally withdrew the prior administrations DHS public charge rule.

    Despite the restoration of longstanding public charge policy, widespread confusion and concern about the public charge rules remains, deterring many eligible immigrants and their US citizen family members from seeking critical services.

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