With the widespread panic reaching the majority of American citizens, the government is reaching out to help wherever they can.
For this purpose, in an attempt to relieve the stress and affliction of the ongoing crisis, the Benefits.gov program is offering a wide selection of assistance.
Among the numerous services extended by the government’s benefits program, you will find help for unemployment, healthcare, temporary assistance, and food and nutrition aids. Read on to find out where you can find the proper aid.
What Are Government Cash Benefits?
Government Cash Benefits are subsidies offered and extended to low-income families or individuals. In recent times, these subsidies are also being extended to people who have been directly affected by the ongoing crisis that has gripped the world.
There are several options to apply for, and each option requires validation of circumstances. You need to prove that you are among the needy or are badly affected by the pandemic. The six major subsidies include the following.
- Temporary Assistance for Needy Families
- Supplemental Security Income
- Medicaid
- Housing Assistance
- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program
- Earned Income Tax Credit
These programs are designed to answer all the needs that may arise from being affected by the local panic. Other programs have also been put in place to assist those in need, including emergency business loans and unemployment funding.
The unemployment funding is extended to anyone who has been left without an income due to social distancing implementation. Anyone who applies for these cash benefits will receive credit allowances that they can use to fill any needs and gaps.
Government Cash Benefits Available
Unemployment Insurance is a fund that is available to anyone who may have lost their job due to no fault that can be accredited to them. This fund extends employment benefits to those who qualify and requires a strict screening process.
There is also a Disaster Unemployment Insurance fund. This fund will extend assistance to those who qualify, but it requires proof of circumstances that should be related to loss of income due to natural disasters.
This fund has been helping many families affected by hurricanes and other disasters, but it will now include victims of the raging pandemic. With the panic in the air, many will be concerned about their health and will need healthcare aid. For those affected by the recent outbreak, the COBRA Continuation Coverage is the healthcare aid program that will be most suitable.
Other programs, such as Medicare, which is extended to the elderly, and Medicaid will also be good options. The Medicaid program is a vital need for pregnant women and parents with young babies and infants.
Other financial aids for those affected by the pandemic or social circumstances include TANF and SNAP. These programs will provide families and individuals who are in need with finances and/or food supplement credits, otherwise known as food stamps.
Food stamps are credits that can be used to buy food and other needed things from grocers. They are extended in the form of a debit card. Businesses that have been affected by the recent crisis can also apply for financial aid.
In partnership with the U.S. Small Business Administration, the government is extending low-interest rate loans to businesses that may need a financial injection during this time. The conditions and requirements for qualifying for these loans are described by the Economic Injury Disaster Loan program.
These terms state that funding will only be provided to small businesses and private non-profit organizations that have been affected by the ongoing crisis. You can search for any benefits using the Benefit finder and check whether or not you qualify for any benefits.
How To Apply
Application for any of the aforementioned benefits can be done by filling out the provided forms on the Benefit.gov website or by visiting any of the offices located in your state.
You will be required to provide social security data, as well as proof that you qualify for the benefit you wish to apply for. In order to qualify for any benefits, you must be a citizen of the United States of America or be a qualifying non-citizen.
Summary
Because so many people are going to be affected negatively by the ongoing pandemic, the U.S. Government has decided to extend all the help they can afford. Whether it is to individuals in need or families affected by the crisis, the government can aid with all the necessary daily needs. This includes unemployment benefits, healthcare, and financial and food supplementation to whoever is in need.
Application for the benefits will be required to go through a screening process, and the required information and proof will need to be produced in order to qualify. Under no circumstances will the government grant free money to any individual or party.
Any advertisements claiming to be free money from the government are scams and should be reported to local authorities.
