Financial Help for Families

There are many programs available in your state or territory that provide Financial Help to eligible low-income families to help them pay for necessities such as food, nutrition, and heat—just to name a few. If you need help, take a look at these programs.

TANF helps eligible low-income families by providing time-limited cash assistance. States receive federal funding to run their own TANF programs. You can apply for help at your local TANF office.

LIHEAP is a federally funded program that helps low-income families with their home energy costs. LIHEAP provides eligible families with Financial Help and information to help them manage their home energy bills, energy emergencies, weatherproofing, and energy-related minor home repairs. You can apply for help at your local LIHEAP office.

WIC is a federal nutrition program that helps low-income pregnant women, new mothers, and young children from birth through age 5 eat well, learn about nutrition, and stay healthy. Most WIC programs provide vouchers that moms can use at approved grocery stores. WIC also provides information on healthy eating, breastfeeding support, and health care referrals. You can apply for help at your local WIC office.

SNAP offers food assistance to low-income individuals and families. The federal Food and Nutrition Service works with state agencies, nutrition educators, and neighborhood and faith-based organizations to assist people who are eligible for SNAP benefits. You can apply for help at your local SNAP office.

School and child care meal programs fight hunger and obesity by helping schools, child care centers, family child care programs, and afterschool programs provide healthy meals for children.

• School meal programs provide low-cost or free nutritionally balanced meals to children each school day. School meal programs are available in public and nonprofit private schools. Speak with your child’s school to see if your child may be eligible for free and reduced-cost meals during the school day.
• The Child and Adult Care Food Program provides financial aid to help child care providers pay for nutritious foods that contribute to the wellness, growth, and healthy development of young children. Ask your child care program if it participates in this program and can provide free snacks and meals to your child.

The Supplemental Security Income (SSI) for Children program provides Financial Help to help meet the basic needs of children who have a physical or mental disability or who are blind. If you care for a child or teenager with a disability and have limited income and savings or other resources, your child may be eligible for SSI.

Read the SSI for Children Infographic to help you better understand:

• SSI’s definition of disability
• How SSI makes a disability determination, and
• How to get additional information and apply.

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