Government assistance programs — housing, food, healthcare, and more. 87 programs available.
Showing 29 programs
U.S. Department of the Treasury / State ABLE Programs
ABLE (Achieving a Better Life Experience) accounts are tax-advantaged savings accounts that allow individuals with qualifying disabilities to save money without losing eligibility for federal means-tested benefits such as SSI and Medicaid, up to a $100,000 balance. Annual contributions up to the gift tax exclusion ($18,000 in 2024) can come from the account owner, family, and friends; withdrawals for qualified disability expenses (housing, education, transportation, health) are tax-free. Starting January 1, 2026, the age-of-onset limit expands from before age 26 to before age 46.
Administration for Community Living, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
The Assistive Technology Act funds a program in every state and territory to increase access to assistive technology (AT) devices and services for individuals with disabilities of all ages and disability types. State AT programs offer device demonstration centers, short-term device loan programs, device reutilization programs that redistribute pre-owned equipment at little or no cost, and alternative financing programs with low-interest loans to help people purchase AT. No single application or income threshold applies nationally — services vary by state program.
U.S. Department of Agriculture
The Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) provides federal reimbursements to licensed child care centers, family day care homes, after-school programs, and adult day care centers for serving nutritious meals and snacks to eligible participants. Children up to age 12 in day care and adults 60 and older in adult day programs benefit, with income-based eligibility determining reimbursement rates for participating facilities. The program helps over 4 million children and nearly 130,000 adults receive better nutrition each day.
U.S. Department of Agriculture
The Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) improves the health of low-income seniors aged 60 and older by supplementing their diets with monthly packages of nutritious USDA-purchased foods such as canned fruits and vegetables, cheese, pasta, peanut butter, canned juice, and dry milk or cereal. The program operates through approximately 35 states and several Indian Tribal Organizations, distributing food through local agencies, food banks, and senior centers. Waiting lists exist in many areas due to high demand.
Fair Food Network (USDA-supported)
Double Up Food Bucks is a nutrition incentive program that matches SNAP dollars spent on fruits and vegetables at participating farmers markets and, in some states, grocery stores and co-ops — effectively doubling the purchasing power of SNAP recipients for fresh, locally grown produce. Participants earn matching tokens or digital credits on a dollar-for-dollar basis, with daily or seasonal limits varying by location. The program is funded through USDA Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program (GusNIP) grants and operates in over 25 states.
U.S. Department of Agriculture
The Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR) provides monthly packages of USDA-purchased nutritious foods to income-eligible Native American households living on or near federally recognized Indian reservations and in Oklahoma. The program offers an alternative to SNAP and is distributed by Indian Tribal Organizations (ITOs) or state agencies, with packages tailored to reflect cultural food preferences. FDPIR serves approximately 90,000 people per month at over 100 distribution sites.
U.S. Department of Agriculture
The Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program (FFVP) provides free fresh and dried fruits and vegetables to elementary school students outside of regular school meal service at selected high-poverty schools, helping children build healthier eating habits and expand their knowledge of diverse produce. Schools with the highest percentages of students enrolled in free and reduced-price meal programs are prioritized for selection by state agencies. The program operates in all 50 states and US territories.
Administration for Community Living, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Centers for Independent Living (CILs) are consumer-controlled, community-based nonprofit organizations providing services and advocacy that help people with any type of significant disability live independently. The four core services are information and referral, independent living skills training, peer counseling, and individual and systems advocacy. With over 400 CILs nationwide, additional services often include benefits counseling, transition assistance from institutions or nursing homes, housing support, employment help, and assistive technology guidance.
Administration for Community Living, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Meals on Wheels, funded through the Older Americans Act and delivered by a national network of local programs, provides home-delivered nutritious meals to seniors who are unable to shop or prepare their own food, along with regular wellness checks and social interaction to reduce isolation. Services typically include hot daily meals, frozen weekend meals, and specialized dietary options for medical needs. The program serves adults 60 and older and often provides additional services such as grocery assistance, transportation, and home safety checks.
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) waivers allow states to provide long-term services and supports to people with disabilities and older adults in their homes and communities as an alternative to institutional care. Covered services vary by state waiver and may include personal care, respite care, adult day services, supported employment, home modifications, specialized therapies, and case management. Because each state designs its own waiver programs, eligibility rules, available services, and enrollment caps differ significantly across states.
U.S. Department of Agriculture
The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides nutritionally balanced, free or reduced-price lunches to children at participating public and nonprofit private schools and residential child care institutions each school day. Children from households at or below 130% of the Federal Poverty Level receive free meals, while those between 130% and 185% qualify for reduced-price meals at no more than $0.40. The program served approximately 30 million students daily and is administered by state agencies through participating schools.
Administration for Community Living, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
The Nutrition Services Incentive Program (NSIP) provides performance-based grants to states, territories, and tribal organizations to purchase food for Older Americans Act nutrition programs, including congregate meal sites at senior centers and home-delivered meals for homebound older adults. Funds are allocated based on the number of meals served, rewarding programs that serve more seniors with more resources. NSIP supports approximately 1 million older Americans annually through a network of nutrition service providers.
Social Security Administration
PASS allows SSI recipients to set aside income or resources for a defined period to pursue a specific work goal — such as education, vocational training, or starting a business — without those funds reducing SSI benefits or counting toward the resource limit. An approved PASS plan documents the work goal, the steps and timeline to achieve it, and the expenses to be set aside. A free PASS specialist at SSA reviews and approves plans collaboratively with the applicant.
U.S. Department of Agriculture
The School Breakfast Program (SBP) provides federal reimbursements to participating schools and residential child care institutions to offer free or reduced-price nutritious breakfasts to eligible children each school day. Children from low-income households receive free breakfast based on the same income thresholds used by the National School Lunch Program. Research consistently shows that students who eat breakfast perform better academically and have better attendance and health outcomes.
U.S. Department of Agriculture
The Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP) provides low-income seniors with coupons or electronic benefits redeemable for fresh, locally grown fruits, vegetables, herbs, and honey at participating farmers markets, roadside stands, and community supported agriculture (CSA) programs. Annual benefits typically range from $20 to $50 per person and support both food access for seniors and revenue for local farmers. The program runs seasonally from roughly May through November in most states.