Free Government Money: 30 Ways to Get Help With Your Finances

Each year, the federal government provides grants to help all kinds of people pay for school, health care, food, housing, appliances, and other necessities. What do you need help with?

Although it is possible to work on your own to achieve financial success, it’s just as easy to use the services of someone who specializes in clearing the path to wealth. The authors of this blog have compiled a list of the most frequently requested help with finances. If you have a large financial problem, you could refer to this list of 30 ways to get help with your finances.

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Government grants to individuals free of charge

1. Unemployment benefits

If you have lost your job, you may be entitled to unemployment benefit. This assistance is designed to help you cover costs while you are looking for a new job.

The Department of Labor offers temporary unemployment benefits to any worker who has become unemployed through no fault of their own. These benefits are designed to help you until you find another suitable job.

Benefits are currently about $375 per week. To find out if you qualify for the federal government’s program and to begin your application, visit the DOL website.

2. School supplies

There are also programs that help families pay for school supplies.

For example, Oklahoma’s Every Kid Counts program provides $1,500 to thousands of low-income families for educational materials and technology. This program is part of the Governor’s Emergency Education Assistance Fund and is designed for families with incomes at or below the federal poverty line.

This program is open to all students from kindergarten through twelfth grade, regardless of the school the child attends. Parents can apply by filling out an application on the official Every Kid Counts Oklahoma website.

3. Childcare expenditure

All parents know that childcare is expensive. The national average for infant care in the United States is $1,230 per month. For many families, this can be an almost impossible task.

If you are working and need help for child care, there is a government program.

The Child Care and Development Fund is an aid program of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. This is support for the cost of childcare, usually for children under 13.

To find out what funding opportunities are available in your area, visit the CCDF website.

4. Grocery store

Food is a necessary expense in every household. So if you are low income and struggling to buy food, SNAP can give you free government money.

SNAP (Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program), or as it is popularly known, food stamps, offers a benefit card. The card can be used as a debit card to purchase food products at farmers markets and specialty grocery stores. The program helps 23 million families and provides an average of $133 per month.

There is also a child nutrition program where school children can get free or reduced price meals. In addition, the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) provides nutrition to pregnant and breastfeeding women and children under the age of six.

5. Clothing

Low-income families can get free clothing, including winter coats and shoes, from the clothing closets. Such charities exist in most major cities. The specific products and support offered at each center are different. However, these clothing stores usually offer cheap or free items.

In California, for example, there are places like this:

• Contra Costa County
• Fresno County.
• Kern County
• Los Angeles
• Northern California
• Orange County
• Riverside
• Sacramento
• San Bernadino
• San Diego
• Santa Barbara County
• Tulare County
• Ventura

Wardrobes are designed to meet the basic needs of people who qualify. They help the working poor, children, single mothers and the elderly. Some sites have minimal costs and work with local businesses to provide as much help as possible to those in need.

6. Free computers – laptops and desktops

If you need a laptop or desktop computer to get a job or learn the skills you need for your job, there are several charities that offer free computers.

The Salvation Army has branches in every city in the country. Not all stores offer free computers, but you may find one near you.

If you can’t find a free computer, local charities or non-profits may be able to offer refurbished models at a greatly reduced price.

7. Balances and debts on consumer and credit cards

The National Foundation for Credit Counseling (NFCC) has been around for nearly 70 years, helping people manage consumer credit and credit card debt. This non-profit organization provides financial advisory services across America.

There is a national network of member agencies with certified consultants. They can act as financial advocates and help you create a personal financial action plan.

The counselors can even negotiate a debt management plan where part of your debt is forgiven.

8. Bonuses and free Christmas gifts

With Christmas just around the corner, many families struggle to find the money they need for the festivities. Fortunately, there are a number of programs to help you get free Christmas gifts and money.

For example, the Salvation Army can provide toys, clothing and Christmas meals to low-income families. They also offer various holiday programs. On the angel tree are signs with the name, age and list of desired gifts for the children. They will be hung from Christmas trees in local stores. Shoppers can purchase items and turn them in as donations for specific tags.

As the name implies, the Adopt-a-Family program involves sponsoring an entire low-income family. It can include donations of toys, food, gifts, toiletries, cleaning supplies and more. Sponsors can even give gift certificates.

9. Public transport

According to the Census Bureau, Americans spend an average of 25 minutes a day commuting. This represents 15.9% of the typical budget for transportation costs alone.

However, there are a number of programs that can give you free government money in the form of free transportation programs. More than 100 cities around the world now offer free public transportation. While many of these programs are run in Europe, there are also a growing number of U.S. cities setting up such free programs.

Kansas City, Mo. became the first major city in the United States to adopt a ticketless system.

10. Tax credits and deductions

The Earnings Tax Credit (EIC or EITC) is a benefit for low- and moderate-income workers. To take advantage of the program, you must file a tax return even if you are not required to do so or if you do not owe taxes. You must also meet certain conditions.

The EITC reduces the amount of tax due and you may even get a refund. The amount available depends on your income in previous years and your current financial situation.

11. Vehicle

If you need a car to find and keep a job, but there is no public transport in your area, you can get a car through the State Aid Free Cars scheme.

Each program has its own admission requirements. These include:

• low-income families
• Persons in need of medical care
• Victims of a natural disaster
• Shelter in a shelter
• victims of domestic violence
• Families in need.

In general, you will need to explain why you need the vehicle. You may also be asked to provide proof of disability or retirement, or to work a minimum number of hours.

Read more: 10 legitimate ways to get free cars

Free government grants for people over 50

12. Unclaimed tax revenue

Technically, it’s not free money from the government, because it’s actually money you owe. However, you may not be aware that you are receiving unclaimed tax money.

The National Association of State Treasurers created unclaimed.org to help consumers find unclaimed funds. You can find out not only if you have unclaimed tax money, but also insurance refunds, overpaid utility bills, forgotten savings bonds, and even paychecks you didn’t collect.

You can search using your full name and address. You can also search by last name.

13. Disability benefits

If you have a temporary or permanent disability or a disabled child, you may be entitled to Supplemental Security Income (SSI). These are disability benefits awarded to people who meet certain income requirements.

This benefit pays up to $783 per month for individuals and $1,175 for individuals with an eligible spouse.

However, if you are over 65, you may receive both Social Security and retirement benefits if you have worked long enough to qualify.

14. Health care

Many people are facing rising health care costs. Fortunately, you can get help from the government in the form of a tax credit. There are certain income requirements and you must purchase insurance through the health marketplace.

There are several options for your loan. You can buy them in equal installments to eliminate or reduce your monthly premium payments. You can also include the end-of-year rebate on your tax return.

Another option for your children’s health care is InsureKidsNow.gov. You may benefit from lower or even free insurance coverage. On this website, you can find information about the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) and Medicaid in your area if you qualify based on your income.

15. Former pension schemes

Another not so easy way to get free money from the government is to look for old retirement plans. If you left the company due to a layoff, merger or acquisition, you may have been so busy planning your next career move that you didn’t think about your retirement funds.

Fortunately, the PBGC (Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation) can help you find that forgotten money. You can match your name and information to the PBDC database.

This database contains more than 70,000 names on the list of unclaimed pensions. Maybe you have old retirement plans that you forgot about.

16. Services for the elderly

SSI (Supplemental Security Income) provides benefits to seniors. This is a federal program designed to help seniors and disabled people with little or no income. It can provide free government money to meet your basic needs for food, shelter and clothing.

To determine your eligibility, you must use the Benefit Eligibility Checker. This will take about 10 minutes and you will be asked a few questions. However, you can find the basic requirements on the Social Security Administration website.

Housing assistance free of charge

17. Property tax

If you are past due on your property tax payments, the local government has several options for enforcing payment. This can include seizing and selling your assets.

If so, you may qualify for a tax credit. This type of scheme is not available in all regions, but involves a full or partial remission of property taxes by the tax authorities.

The admission criteria and the application procedure vary according to the region. You may need documentation of your assets and income to prove that you are unable to pay your taxes.

18. Rentals

Housing assistance is available to low-income families, persons with disabilities, and seniors for affordable public or private rental housing. There are a number of programs, including the Housing Choice Voucher program.

This is where certificates are issued for the rental of licensed properties. This subsidy allows recipients to pay no more than 30% of their income in rent.

As with most free government money programs, there are requirements that must be met in order to receive housing assistance. This includes income below a certain threshold. At the beginning of the process, you will also need to provide the necessary documents, including a photo ID, birth certificate and tax returns.

19. Home purchase

For many people, the down payment is a barrier to buying a home. While you may be able to afford the monthly mortgage payments, you won’t qualify for a home loan if you can’t make a down payment.

Fortunately, there is a government program to help you. Government down payment assistance consists of loans and grants that help cover the initial cost of buying a home.

The amount of assistance depends on your state. In Nevada, for example, eligible homeowners can receive a subsidy of up to 5% of the value of the loan for down payment and closing costs.

This assistance is not just for low-income borrowers. Nevada’s scholarship program is available to individuals with incomes up to $98,500 per year.

20. Mortgage payments

Whether you’ve lost your job or have other financial problems, failing to pay your mortgage can not only affect your credit history, but also put you at risk of having your home repossessed.

Fortunately, there are programs and grants available for people who are struggling to make their mortgage payments. The Department of Housing and Urban Development is a federal agency that helps people in financial difficulty. Although competition for grants is fierce, it’s worth submitting an application to avoid exclusion.

21. Improvement and renovation of dwellings

If you need help improving your home to prepare for winter, there are grants available from the Department of Energy.

WAPTAC (Technical Assistance Center for Heating Assistance Programs) will put you in touch with assistance programs in your state. These grants are designed to help you pay for home improvements that will lower your energy costs.

The Department of Energy estimates that up to 30 million households could benefit from these subsidies. In addition, if you are over 60, have children or a resident family member with a disability, you will be given priority in the approval process.

22. Electricity accounts

Americans spend an average of more than $300 a month on basic health care. So it’s easy to see why it can be difficult for many people to manage their energy bills, especially in the summer and winter.

The government has introduced the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). This will provide funds to those in need. There are grants to help people pay for air conditioning and heating. The program is funded by the Department of Health and Human Services and administered through state programs.

Visit the LIHEAP website to see what help and programs are available in your state.

Grants for free education

23. University students

We all know that college is expensive. For the 2017-2018 school year, the average cost of tuition at private colleges was nearly $35,000, while at public colleges it was about $10,000.

If you want to go to college, but are wondering how to pay for tuition, books, board and lodging, consider a scholarship.

The most common is the federal Pell grant. This scholarship amounts to up to $6,345 in tuition costs for eligible students. Unlike student loans, this grant does not have to be repaid.

To qualify for the scholarship, you must read all of the scholarship details and complete the FAFSA.

There are many other grants available. Although the Pell grant is your first choice, you should also check the other options in the university grants database.

24. Study Loan Allowance

If you are burdened by student loans, one area of free government money that might interest you is student loan forgiveness. There are several programs that allow you to waive your student loans and not have to pay them back.

For example, if you work for a non-profit or government organization, you may be eligible for utility debt forgiveness. If you made at least 120 eligible monthly payments while working full time for an eligible employer, the PSLF will forgive the balance of your direct student loans.

Loan forgiveness is also available for teachers who teach in a low-income school for five consecutive full school years. This allows for the cancellation of up to $17,500 in FFEL or direct loans.

25. Aid for training

If you would like to become a teacher but cannot afford the cost of a university education, scholarships are available. The Teacher Education Assistance for Colleges and Institutions of Higher Education (TEACH) grant requires you to be a teacher for four years and receive a grant of up to $4,000 per year.

If you fail to meet this obligation, the grant will be converted into a loan which must be repaid with interest.

There are certain requirements for this scholarship, including maintaining a cumulative GPA of 3.25 or higher and enrollment in an appropriate program.

Free government grants for small businesses

26. Rural business development

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has a grant program for rural businesses. It provides training and technical assistance to small businesses with fewer than 50 employees. To qualify, you must also live in a rural area and have a gross income of less than $1 million.

The purpose of this grant is to fund projects that support rural community organizations. These include government agencies, cities, higher education institutions and rural cooperatives.

27. Legal services

If you have a legal problem but can’t afford an attorney, LawHelp offers low- and moderate-income families the opportunity to find free legal help. Not only does this platform answer claims questions and provide forms, but LawHelp also partners with a national nonprofit.

LawHelp can make referrals to local legal aid offices or public law firms through a nationwide network of information portals.

28. Employment and training

The Small Business Administration has been around for almost 70 years. It is designed to help entrepreneurs and small business owners improve their skills and training.

The SBA offers various courses through its training centre. For example, there’s a 30-minute course on buying a business. There is also a 30-minute course on financing options for small businesses.

Materials such as worksheets are included in each course. There are no tuition fees.

29. Research and development

SBIR (Small Business Innovation Research) provides grants to participate in federal research and development. It is a highly competitive program that can help companies innovate technologically.

To qualify for this free government money, you must own a for-profit business that is at least 50% owned by a US citizen. There are other requirements that can be explored on the SBIR website.

30. Export

The Small Business Administration has a State Trade Enhancement Program (STEP). It provides financial grants to territorial and state governments to help small businesses develop exports.

These STEP awards are provided and administered locally. You can contact a laureate in your country to find out how they can help you expand your business and go global.

Is government money really free?

Many of us assume that the government is just grabbing money. However, there are certain circumstances in which public money is free. The government offers benefit programs to help people reduce their costs or become self-sufficient.

Be aware that while there are many legitimate ways to get money from the government, there are also shady sites that offer free government money and this may turn out to be a scam. If you come across a scam that seems too good to be true, it is important that you report it to the Federal Trade Commission.

Of course, nothing in this world is really free. Free government money is a portion of federal spending that is funded by taxpayers.

Therefore, there are eligibility requirements for programs that provide money. It is therefore important that you make sure you meet the requirements before you apply.

How can I apply for free government money?

There are many grant and assistance programs that offer free money from the government. Unfortunately, each of them has specific eligibility requirements and criteria.

However, there are some excellent resources to find out what grants you qualify for. If you’re not sure which programs are right for you, check out all the options on USA.Gov.{“@context”:”https://schema.org”,”@type”:”FAQPage”,”mainEntity”:[{“@type”:”Question”,”name”:”How can I get free money from the government without paying it back?”,”acceptedAnswer”:{“@type”:”Answer”,”text”:” Some people might be able to get free money from the government without paying it back. For example, if you are a veteran, you might qualify for free money from the government.”}},{“@type”:”Question”,”name”:”How can I get free money from the government today?”,”acceptedAnswer”:{“@type”:”Answer”,”text”:” There are several ways to get free money from the government today. These include: Free money from the government in the form of grants and loans. Free money from the government in the form of tax credits. Free money from the government in the form of Social Security benefits. There are also other ways to get free money from the government.”}},{“@type”:”Question”,”name”:”What is a hardship grant?”,”acceptedAnswer”:{“@type”:”Answer”,”text”:” A hardship grant is a type of financial aid that is given to students who are experiencing financial difficulties.”}}]}

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I get free money from the government without paying it back?

Some people might be able to get free money from the government without paying it back. For example, if you are a veteran, you might qualify for free money from the government.

How can I get free money from the government today?

There are several ways to get free money from the government today. These include: Free money from the government in the form of grants and loans. Free money from the government in the form of tax credits. Free money from the government in the form of Social Security benefits. There are also other ways to get free money from the government.

What is a hardship grant?

A hardship grant is a type of financial aid that is given to students who are experiencing financial difficulties.