Housing Voucher

• Housing voucher programs were established to assist low-income families and elderly individuals. This program helps to ensure that low-income families are able to afford decent, safe and sanitary homes in the private housing market. The vouchers allow families to find their own housing, such as single-family homes, apartments and town homes. The rental property must be approved by the public housing agency, and certain criteria are required, such as income limits for families occupying the home.
  
  

SNAP

• Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, is formally known as the Food Stamp Program. The program was designed to help low-income families and individuals put food on their tables. Electronic funds are submitted to those who qualify monthly, and the electronic cards are used just like cash for those grocery stores that accept the cards, such as Kroger's, Publix, or Walmart. The low-income families must meet eligibility requirements to receive these benefits. The amount of funds submitted to the cards each month is determined by the incomes in the household of the applicant.
  
  

Medical Benefits

• Low-income individuals or children may be eligible to receive medical benefits. These benefits apply to the adult applicants as well as any children they care for in their home. The benefits apply to physician treatment, surgeries, hospital stays and prescriptions, as well as dental and vision treatment. The income of the individuals and families will determine the limit, if any, to the amount of benefits the person or family will receive with this program.
  
  

HEAP

• Winter months may be hard for some low-income families as far as their energy bills are concerned. Heating a home can be very expensive, and the federal, state and local agencies provide a Home Energy Assistance Program, or HEAP. Those individuals who qualify for HEAP will receive vouchers for their heating bills, as well as vouchers to assist in making their home energy efficient. These benefits may be applied for every winter, as long as the household meets the low-income requirements.
  
  

Federal Pell Grants

• Low-income family members who cannot afford to go to college or send their children to college may be eligible for Pell Grants and other grants or scholarships. The individual, or parent or guardian, will need to apply for the FAFSA, and their estimated family contribution (EFC) will be determined. The lower the EFC, the more financial aid the student will be awarded. All federal grants are awarded on a need basis. Federal grants do not have to be paid back, and undergraduate students may apply for the grants yearly.