RoxanneIf you think government welfare programs are just for lazy people, think again. More than 20 percent of Americans participate in one of the major welfare programs like food assistance or medicaid, according to the most recent U.S. Census.
People enroll in these programs during financial difficulty, and those who receive government assistance often escape hardship faster than those who have no help at all. With a full slate of benefits, a recipient could earn well over $1,750 each month in support.
$800 per month in unemployment benefits while looking for work
Working adults who lose their jobs have access to unemployment benefits provided by the federal government. Such benefits are available in all 50 states, as well as the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Unemployment benefits are managed in each state by a local unemployment insurance program, which determines who receives money and how much money can be awarded each month. In general, the amount of money provided through unemployment benefits will vary according to state.
In high-income states such as Massachusetts, eligible workers can receive up to $800 per month in unemployment benefits. In contrast, Mississippi awards eligible workers around $300 per month.
Unemployment insurance programs are managed by state governments, which are responsible for processing applications and paying eligible workers. The money comes from state and federal payroll taxes paid by local residents who are employed.
In general, unemployment benefits are only available to workers who have become unemployed through no fault of their own. Workers who were fired for misconduct are not eligible for the program.
Many states take out-of-work behavior into consideration. Committing a crime or a felony, for example, is usually a valid reason not to award unemployment benefits. How long people remain ineligible varies by state.
Unemployment benefits are classified as a type of financial assistance or social welfare benefit. As a result, beneficiaries must add any money received through unemployment benefits to their gross income when filing their tax returns or applying for a mortgage or unsecured loan.
Unemployment benefits last for six months after being approved. Workers who still meet the requirements after the period has elapsed can renew the benefits several times. Contact your local unemployment insurance agency to find more information.
$100 per month to pay utility bills
Families going through financial hardship often have difficulty paying their utility bills. To help them, the government has created a program called Low Income Home Energy Assistance (LIHEAP).
Through this program, households can receive up to $100 each month to cover their utility bills. The program also offers financial assistance if an emergency happens and funds to make energy-efficient home improvements.
In total, families can receive up to $1,200 each year to cover energy bills. How much money is awarded will depend on several factors, including gross annual income, number of people in the household, and the size of the house.
In general, the rule is that households cover 20 percent of their utility bills while the government takes care of the remaining 80 percent. Some states restrict assistance to only one type of energy, which means the money might not be available to cover all utilities.
In order to receive the LIHEAP benefits, a family must provide sufficient proof that they require financial help to cover the basic costs of powering their home. In general, a family of three must have a combined annual income of less than $30,000 to be eligible.
However, some states have expanded the eligibility criteria to fit families who need help but do not qualify for assistance. In some states, people have the option to automatically qualify for LIHEAP benefits if they participate in other federal assistance programs such as Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Supplemental Security Income (SSI), or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF).
$400 Each Month For Food Expenses
Covering food expenses is among the top priorities for families going through financial hardship. The federal government operates the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which helps low income families cover basic expenses.
More than 44 million Americans currently receive at least $100 a month from SNAP. Families with children usually receive about $400 a month. However, the amount of money received through SNAP will depend on several factors, such as income and household size.
To qualify for SNAP, the annual gross income of a family must no more than 130 percent of the Federal Poverty Level, which equaled $27,640 for a three-member family in 2019.
Families that include a senior member or a person with a disability are excluded from this requirement. Money received from other assistance programs such as unemployment benefits or Medicare does not count toward the income requirement.
In addition to income requirements, qualifying families must not have more than $2,250 in assets. This number is raised to $3,500 if the family includes an elderly or disabled person. However, it does not include the value of their home, one vehicle, and other assets that the federal government has exempted, such as household goods and personal effects.
Low-income families who meet the required criteria can submit an application to the local SNAP office. The application can be submitted online, by mail, or in person. When submitting an application, households must provide documents that certify their eligibility to the program, such as proof of income or employment.
$450 From Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
Families and individuals who need further financial support can receive help through the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF). This program is administered by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and provides cash assistance to families who fall into financial hardship.
This benefit is only available to families with children, and in cases where both the parents and other close relatives are unable to cover the family’s basic needs.
Families can receive benefits for no more than two consecutive years and no more than five years during their lifetimes.
Recipients must find work within two years of first receiving aid. They must also participate in work activities for a minimum number of hours to remain eligible for the program. Two-parent families must work 35 to 55 hours per week, while single parents need to complete 30 work hours to stay in the program.
Money received through welfare can be used to cover basic expenses, such as buying food, household supplies, or bills. On average, a family of three (two parents and one child) receives $450 through the program. However, some low-income states provide as little as $300.
To receive those benefits, families must also meet some additional requirements. For example, all family members must be U.S. citizens and their children must be younger than 18 years old. Any children between ages 6 and 17 who have not graduated from high school must attend school.
There are some income-related requirements too. A family of three, for example, must not have a monthly gross income above $750 nor countable assets above $1,000.
Each state is given broad authority to expand or reduce TANF requirements so they can adapt to the local population.
