Home Budget Assistance

Let’s face it, these are difficult times. Here are some government assistance programs that can help you save up – and survive.

Housing and Urban Development

The first step is to find your local Public Housing Authority. They may have waiting lists, so it’s best to make this your first order of business. Apply to as many PHA’s as possible. Do remember to state if you have elderly or disabled household members. Enumerate, too, how many children are present. You may have to file separately for the HOME program.

If you’re moving to a new place and you have a Section 8 voucher, you must contact PHAs in your new place to see how you can transfer your vouchers. It’s best to also check with PHAs for rental housing to live in. They have lists of housing in the area that accepts vouchers.

If you will move to a rural area, visit the local Rural Development office. They offer rental assistance, home improvement and repair funding to low-income families.

Food Stamps

The new name for the Food Stamp program is the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. You can apply for them at the local government offices in charge of SNAP benefits, usually those under the Department of Agriculture. Your benefits come to about $150 to $170 per person in your household for the month. The amount you get is usually stored in an EBT (electronic benefit transfer) card, and they can be used in participating groceries, shops and farmer’s markets. The benefit allocation you receive depends on your available resources, income, applicable deductions, employment status, presence of elderly or disabled household members and other factors, such as your eligibility if you are an immigrant.

Unemployment Benefits

Even if you have exhausted your regular unemployment benefits, you can still apply for Extended Unemployment Benefits at your local State Unemployment Insurance Agency. You can receive an average of 13 weeks’ worth of benefits under this program. While you’re there, do inquire, too, if you qualify for disability or veterans’ benefits (if you are disabled, a veteran or both). The disabled and veterans do have their own bundled benefits. If you are newly retired, find out if you also qualify for specific-industry retirement benefits, such as those for railroad workers and miners.

Sign up on the box at the right for more information on funding assistance options.