Program Guides

Individual deep-dives into SNAP, Medicaid, CHIP, WIC, LIHEAP, SSI, Section 8, TANF, and dozens more programs.

200 articles in this topic

SNAP (Food Stamps) Guide 2026: How to Apply, Eligibility, and Benefits

How to Apply, Eligibility, and Benefits

Medicaid Complete Guide 2026: Eligibility, Coverage, and How to Apply

Eligibility, Coverage, and How to Apply

CHIP (Children's Health Insurance) Guide: Coverage and Eligibility

Coverage and Eligibility

WIC Program Guide 2026: Who Qualifies and What You Get

Who Qualifies and What You Get

LIHEAP Guide 2026: How to Get Help Paying Your Heating Bill

How to Get Help Paying Your Heating Bill

SSI (Supplemental Security Income) Guide: Benefits and How to Apply

Benefits and How to Apply

Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Guide 2026

Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Guide 2026

TANF Cash Assistance Guide: Eligibility, Amounts, and Time Limits

Eligibility, Amounts, and Time Limits

Head Start Program Guide: Free Early Education for Low-Income Families

Free Early Education for Low-Income Families

Pell Grant Guide 2026: How Much You Get and How to Apply

How Much You Get and How to Apply

Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) Guide 2026: Are You Eligible?

Are You Eligible?

Child Tax Credit Guide 2026: How Much and How to Claim

How Much and How to Claim

ACA Health Insurance Subsidies Guide: Premium Tax Credits Explained

Premium Tax Credits Explained

Social Security Disability (SSDI) Guide: Benefits and Application

Benefits and Application

Medicare Guide for Beginners: Parts A, B, C, and D Explained

Parts A, B, C, and D Explained

Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Coverage Guide

Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Coverage Guide

Medicare Savings Programs: Help Paying Medicare Premiums

Help Paying Medicare Premiums

Extra Help (LIS) for Medicare Part D: How to Get Prescription Discounts

How to Get Prescription Discounts

Public Housing Program Guide: How to Apply and What to Expect

How to Apply and What to Expect

USDA Rural Housing Loans: Zero Down Payment Home Buying

Zero Down Payment Home Buying

FHA Loans Guide: Low Down Payment Mortgages for First-Time Buyers

Low Down Payment Mortgages for First-Time Buyers

VA Home Loan Guide: Zero Down Payment for Veterans

Zero Down Payment for Veterans

HUD Housing Counseling: Free Help for Homebuyers and Renters

Free Help for Homebuyers and Renters

Emergency Rental Assistance Programs: How to Get Help

How to Get Help

Homelessness Prevention Programs: Emergency Housing Assistance

Emergency Housing Assistance

Free and Reduced School Lunch Program Guide

Free and Reduced School Lunch Program Guide

School Breakfast Program Guide: Free Meals for Students

Free Meals for Students

Summer Food Service Program: Free Meals for Kids

Free Meals for Kids

Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) Guide

Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) Guide

Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR)

Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR)

TEFAP Guide: How Food Banks Get Federal Food

How Food Banks Get Federal Food

Using SNAP at Farmers Markets: Double Your Dollars

Double Your Dollars

SNAP Restaurant Meals Program for Elderly and Disabled

SNAP Restaurant Meals Program for Elderly and Disabled

Medicaid Expansion States 2026: Full List and What It Means

Full List and What It Means

Medicaid Managed Care Guide: How HMOs Work With Medicaid

How HMOs Work With Medicaid

Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Guide

Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Guide

Medicaid Nursing Home Coverage: Eligibility and Rules

Eligibility and Rules

Medicaid Spend Down Guide: How to Qualify With Excess Income

How to Qualify With Excess Income

Medicaid Estate Recovery: What Your Family Needs to Know

What Your Family Needs to Know

Medicaid for Pregnant Women: Coverage and How to Apply

Coverage and How to Apply

Medicaid for Children: Coverage, Eligibility, and EPSDT

Coverage, Eligibility, and EPSDT

Medicaid Dental Coverage by State: What Is Covered?

What Is Covered?

Medicaid Vision Coverage: Eye Exams and Glasses by State

Eye Exams and Glasses by State

Medicaid Mental Health Services: Therapy and Psychiatry Coverage

Therapy and Psychiatry Coverage

Medicaid Coverage for Substance Abuse Treatment

Medicaid Coverage for Substance Abuse Treatment

Medicaid Transportation Services: Free Rides to Appointments

Free Rides to Appointments

Medicaid Telehealth Coverage by State

Medicaid Telehealth Coverage by State

SSI for Children With Disabilities: Eligibility and Benefits

Eligibility and Benefits

SSI vs SSDI: Key Differences and Which One Is Right for You

Key Differences and Which One Is Right for You

Social Security Survivors Benefits Guide

Social Security Survivors Benefits Guide

Social Security Retirement Benefits Guide 2026

Social Security Retirement Benefits Guide 2026

Social Security Spousal Benefits: How Much Can You Get?

How Much Can You Get?

Social Security for Divorced Spouses: What You May Be Owed

What You May Be Owed

VA Disability Compensation Guide: Ratings and Payments

Ratings and Payments

VA Pension Benefits Guide for Low-Income Veterans

VA Pension Benefits Guide for Low-Income Veterans

VA Healthcare Enrollment Guide: How to Sign Up

How to Sign Up

VA Aid and Attendance Benefit: Extra Help for Seniors

Extra Help for Seniors

VA Caregiver Support Program: Benefits for Family Caregivers

Benefits for Family Caregivers

VA Education Benefits and GI Bill Guide 2026

VA Education Benefits and GI Bill Guide 2026

VA Vocational Rehabilitation (VR&E) Guide

VA Vocational Rehabilitation (VR&E) Guide

Veterans State Benefits Overview: Extra Help by State

Extra Help by State

Unemployment Insurance Guide 2026: How to File and What You Get

How to File and What You Get

Extended Unemployment Benefits: When and How to Get More Weeks

When and How to Get More Weeks

Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) Guide

Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) Guide

Trade Adjustment Assistance: Help for Workers Affected by Trade

Help for Workers Affected by Trade

WIOA Guide: Free Job Training and Career Services

Free Job Training and Career Services

Job Corps Program Guide: Free Education and Training for Youth

Free Education and Training for Youth

YouthBuild Program Guide: Construction Training for Young Adults

Construction Training for Young Adults

AmeriCorps Benefits Guide: Education Awards and Living Allowance

Education Awards and Living Allowance

Federal Work-Study Guide: Campus Jobs for College Students

Campus Jobs for College Students

FAFSA Guide for Beginners: How to Apply for Financial Aid

How to Apply for Financial Aid

Federal Student Loans Guide: Types, Rates, and Repayment

Types, Rates, and Repayment

Income-Driven Repayment Plans for Student Loans

Income-Driven Repayment Plans for Student Loans

Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Guide 2026

Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Guide 2026

Teacher Loan Forgiveness Program Guide

Teacher Loan Forgiveness Program Guide

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (FSEOG)

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (FSEOG)

TEACH Grant Program Guide: Funding for Future Teachers

Funding for Future Teachers

Childcare Assistance (CCDF) Guide: Subsidized Daycare

Subsidized Daycare

Head Start vs Pre-K: Comparing Free Early Education Options

Comparing Free Early Education Options

Early Head Start Program Guide: Birth to Age 3

Birth to Age 3

Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit Guide 2026

Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit Guide 2026

Adoption Tax Credit Guide 2026

Adoption Tax Credit Guide 2026

Foster Care Benefits Guide: Payments and Support for Foster Families

Payments and Support for Foster Families

Kinship Care Benefits: Help for Grandparents Raising Grandchildren

Help for Grandparents Raising Grandchildren

Child Welfare Services Guide: What Help Is Available?

What Help Is Available?

School-Based Health Centers: Free Healthcare for Students

Free Healthcare for Students

Title I School Funding: What It Means for Your Child

What It Means for Your Child

Special Education (IDEA) Guide: Rights and Services

Rights and Services

504 Plan Guide: Accommodations for Students With Disabilities

Accommodations for Students With Disabilities

Free College Programs by State: Tuition-Free Options

Tuition-Free Options

ABLE Accounts Guide: Tax-Free Savings for People With Disabilities

Tax-Free Savings for People With Disabilities

Plan to Achieve Self-Support (PASS) for SSI Recipients

Plan to Achieve Self-Support (PASS) for SSI Recipients

Ticket to Work Program: Return to Work Without Losing Benefits

Return to Work Without Losing Benefits

Impairment-Related Work Expenses (IRWE) Guide

Impairment-Related Work Expenses (IRWE) Guide

Section 811 Housing for People With Disabilities

Section 811 Housing for People With Disabilities

Section 202 Senior Housing Guide

Section 202 Senior Housing Guide

Project-Based Section 8 Housing Guide

Project-Based Section 8 Housing Guide

Housing Choice Voucher Portability: Moving With Section 8

Moving With Section 8

Family Self-Sufficiency Program Guide

Family Self-Sufficiency Program Guide

Homeownership Voucher Program: Using Section 8 to Buy a Home

Using Section 8 to Buy a Home

HOPE VI and Choice Neighborhoods Housing Programs

HOPE VI and Choice Neighborhoods Housing Programs

Rural Rental Housing Program (Section 515) Guide

Rural Rental Housing Program (Section 515) Guide

Indian Housing Block Grant (IHBG) Guide

Indian Housing Block Grant (IHBG) Guide

Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) Guide

Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) Guide

HOME Investment Partnerships Program Guide

HOME Investment Partnerships Program Guide

Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) Program Guide

Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) Program Guide

National Housing Trust Fund Guide

National Housing Trust Fund Guide

Emergency Solutions Grants (ESG) Program Guide

Emergency Solutions Grants (ESG) Program Guide

Continuum of Care Homeless Assistance Program Guide

Continuum of Care Homeless Assistance Program Guide

Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) Guide

Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) Guide

HUD-VASH Program Guide: Housing Vouchers for Homeless Veterans

Housing Vouchers for Homeless Veterans

Lifeline Phone Program Guide: Free Government Cell Phones

Free Government Cell Phones

Affordable Connectivity Program: Discounted Internet Guide

Discounted Internet Guide

E-Rate Program: Discounted Internet for Schools and Libraries

Discounted Internet for Schools and Libraries

Rural Broadband Access Programs Guide

Rural Broadband Access Programs Guide

SafeLink Wireless Guide: Free Phone and Data

Free Phone and Data

Assurance Wireless Guide: Free Government Phone Service

Free Government Phone Service

Weatherization Assistance Program: Free Home Energy Upgrades

Free Home Energy Upgrades

LIHEAP Cooling Assistance: Help Paying Summer Energy Bills

Help Paying Summer Energy Bills

Energy Star Rebate Programs for Low-Income Households

Energy Star Rebate Programs for Low-Income Households

Solar for All Program: Clean Energy for Low-Income Homes

Clean Energy for Low-Income Homes

Community Health Centers Guide: Low-Cost Healthcare Near You

Low-Cost Healthcare Near You

Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHC) Guide

Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHC) Guide

Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program Guide: Free Treatment and Support

Free Treatment and Support

Family Planning (Title X) Program Guide

Family Planning (Title X) Program Guide

Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program

Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program

Indian Health Service (IHS) Guide: Healthcare for Native Americans

Healthcare for Native Americans

Veterans Community Care Program: Getting Care Outside the VA

Getting Care Outside the VA

TRICARE Benefits Guide for Military Families

TRICARE Benefits Guide for Military Families

CHAMPVA Healthcare Guide for Veteran Family Members

CHAMPVA Healthcare Guide for Veteran Family Members

Substance Abuse Block Grants: Funding for Treatment Programs

Funding for Treatment Programs

Community Mental Health Centers: Low-Cost Therapy Near You

Low-Cost Therapy Near You

988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline Services Guide

988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline Services Guide

SAMHSA Treatment Locator Guide: Finding Free Substance Abuse Help

Finding Free Substance Abuse Help

Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP)

Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP)

Meals on Wheels Guide: Free Meals for Homebound Seniors

Free Meals for Homebound Seniors

Congregate Meals Program: Free Meals at Senior Centers

Free Meals at Senior Centers

Area Agency on Aging Guide: Services for Seniors

Services for Seniors

National Family Caregiver Support Program Guide

National Family Caregiver Support Program Guide

Elder Justice Programs: Protection Against Elder Abuse

Protection Against Elder Abuse

Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program Guide

Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program Guide

Programs for Grandparents Raising Grandchildren

Programs for Grandparents Raising Grandchildren

Respite Care Programs Guide: Temporary Relief for Caregivers

Temporary Relief for Caregivers

PACE Program: All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly

All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly

State Pharmaceutical Assistance Programs (SPAP) Guide

State Pharmaceutical Assistance Programs (SPAP) Guide

Patient Assistance Programs: Free Prescription Medications

Free Prescription Medications

340B Drug Pricing Program: Discounted Medications Guide

Discounted Medications Guide

Veterans Pension with Aid and Attendance or Housebound

Veterans Pension with Aid and Attendance or Housebound

Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) Guide

Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) Guide

VA Burial Benefits Guide: What Families Need to Know

What Families Need to Know

SBA Small Business Loans Guide for Low-Income Entrepreneurs

SBA Small Business Loans Guide for Low-Income Entrepreneurs

Microenterprise Development Programs for Benefits Recipients

Microenterprise Development Programs for Benefits Recipients

Individual Development Accounts (IDA): Matched Savings Programs

Matched Savings Programs

VITA: Free Tax Preparation for Low-Income Filers

Free Tax Preparation for Low-Income Filers

Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) Guide

Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) Guide

Saver's Credit Guide 2026: Tax Credit for Low-Income Savers

Tax Credit for Low-Income Savers

Child Nutrition Programs Overview: School Meals and Beyond

School Meals and Beyond

Community Eligibility Provision: Free Meals for All Students

Free Meals for All Students

Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program for Schools

Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program for Schools

Special Milk Program Guide for Schools

Special Milk Program Guide for Schools

Team Nutrition Program: Nutrition Education in Schools

Nutrition Education in Schools

Emergency Food Assistance Guide: Food Banks and Pantries

Food Banks and Pantries

Feeding America Guide: How to Find Free Food Near You

How to Find Free Food Near You

SNAP Benefit Amount Calculator: How Much Will You Get?

How Much Will You Get?

SNAP Income Limits by State 2026

SNAP Income Limits by State 2026

SNAP Asset Limits Guide: What Counts Against You

What Counts Against You

SNAP Work Requirements 2026: Who Must Work to Keep Benefits

Who Must Work to Keep Benefits

SNAP for Elderly and Disabled: Special Rules and Higher Benefits

Special Rules and Higher Benefits

TANF Benefit Amounts by State 2026

TANF Benefit Amounts by State 2026

TANF Work Requirements Guide: What Counts as Work Activity

What Counts as Work Activity

TANF Time Limits by State: How Long Can You Receive Cash Aid?

How Long Can You Receive Cash Aid?

General Assistance Programs by State: Cash Aid Beyond TANF

Cash Aid Beyond TANF

Emergency Assistance Programs Guide: One-Time Help

One-Time Help

Rapid Rehousing Program Guide: Fast Housing for Homeless Families

Fast Housing for Homeless Families

Transitional Housing Program Guide: Temporary Shelter

Temporary Shelter

Domestic Violence Shelter Resources and Benefit Access

Domestic Violence Shelter Resources and Benefit Access

Refugee Resettlement Benefits Guide

Refugee Resettlement Benefits Guide

Cuban and Haitian Entrant Benefits Guide

Cuban and Haitian Entrant Benefits Guide

Trafficking Victims Benefits Guide

Trafficking Victims Benefits Guide

Unaccompanied Refugee Minors Program Guide

Unaccompanied Refugee Minors Program Guide

Legal Aid Services Guide: Free Lawyers for Low-Income People

Free Lawyers for Low-Income People

Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) Guide

Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) Guide

Rural Health Clinic Services Guide

Rural Health Clinic Services Guide

School-Based Mental Health Services Guide

School-Based Mental Health Services Guide

Early Intervention Services (IDEA Part C) Guide

Early Intervention Services (IDEA Part C) Guide

WIC Farmers Market Nutrition Program Guide

WIC Farmers Market Nutrition Program Guide

Breastfeeding Support Programs Through WIC

Breastfeeding Support Programs Through WIC

WIC Supplemental Nutrition: What Foods Are Covered?

What Foods Are Covered?

Promise Neighborhoods Program Guide: Community Education

Community Education

Choice Neighborhoods Program Guide: Housing Transformation

Housing Transformation

Healthy Start Program Guide: Reducing Infant Mortality

Reducing Infant Mortality

Nurse-Family Partnership Program: Home Visits for New Moms

Home Visits for New Moms

Community Health Worker Programs Guide

Community Health Worker Programs Guide

Migrant Health Center Guide: Healthcare for Seasonal Workers

Healthcare for Seasonal Workers

Health Center Dental Services: Low-Cost Care Near You

Low-Cost Care Near You

Veterans Dental Care Program Guide

Veterans Dental Care Program Guide

VA Mental Health Services Guide: Therapy and Crisis Support

Therapy and Crisis Support

VA Women's Health Services Guide

VA Women's Health Services Guide

Emergency Broadband Benefit Guide: Internet Assistance

Internet Assistance

National School Lunch Program Guide: Eligibility and Benefits

Essential information about national school lunch program guide: eligibility and benefits and available benefits.