Government assistance programs — housing, food, healthcare, and more. 87 programs available.
Showing 53 programs
Health Resources and Services Administration, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
The 340B Drug Pricing Program requires pharmaceutical manufacturers participating in Medicaid to sell outpatient drugs at significantly reduced prices to eligible health care organizations (covered entities), which in turn use the savings to expand services or reduce costs for low-income and uninsured patients. Covered entities include FQHCs, Ryan White clinics, disproportionate-share hospitals, and other safety-net providers. Patients receiving care at 340B-covered entities — particularly the uninsured — often benefit from deeply discounted prescription drugs.
Internal Revenue Service / HealthCare.gov
ACA Premium Tax Credits (also called Premium Tax Credits or PTCs) help low- and middle-income individuals and families afford health insurance purchased through the ACA Marketplace by reducing monthly premium costs. The credit amount is based on household income relative to the Federal Poverty Level — households earning between 100% and 400% of FPL are eligible, and under enhanced provisions through 2025, higher-income households may also qualify. Credits can be applied in advance to reduce monthly premiums or claimed as a lump sum when filing taxes.
Bureau of Indian Education, U.S. Department of the Interior
The Bureau of Indian Education Higher Education Grant program provides financial assistance to eligible American Indian and Alaska Native students to pursue undergraduate and graduate degrees at accredited colleges and universities. Awards help cover tuition, fees, books, and living expenses, and are distributed through BIE directly or through federally recognized tribes participating in the program. Students must reapply annually and maintain satisfactory academic progress to retain funding.
U.S. Department of Education
CCAMPIS supports low-income student parents in postsecondary education by funding campus-based child care subsidies and services at participating colleges and universities. Institutions use CCAMPIS grants to reduce out-of-pocket child care costs for Pell Grant-eligible students, helping them remain enrolled and complete their degrees. Available services vary by institution and may include subsidized on-campus child care, partnerships with community providers, or child care resource and referral support.
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.
Internal Revenue Service, U.S. Department of the Treasury
The Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit (CDCTC) is a federal tax credit for working taxpayers who pay for the care of a child under 13 or a disabled dependent so they can work or look for work. The credit equals 20–35% of qualifying care expenses up to $3,000 for one qualifying person or $6,000 for two or more, with the percentage decreasing as adjusted gross income rises. Qualifying expenses include payments to day care centers, after-school programs, babysitters, and summer day camps.
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
CCDF provides childcare subsidies to low-income working families to help cover the cost of quality care for children up to age 13, or up to age 19 for children with special needs. Families typically pay an income-based copayment while the subsidy covers the balance. Parents must be working, in school, or in job training.
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
CHIP provides low-cost or free health coverage to children in families that earn too much to qualify for Medicaid but cannot afford private insurance, with income eligibility typically ranging from 200% to 300% or higher of the Federal Poverty Level depending on the state. Coverage includes routine check-ups, immunizations, doctor and dental visits, hospital care, lab and X-ray services, and prescription drugs. In some states, CHIP also covers pregnant women and parents of eligible children.
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.
U.S. Department of Defense
The DoD Child Care Fee Assistance program subsidizes off-installation child care costs for active duty service members when space at on-base child development centers is unavailable. Subsidies reduce the cost of licensed civilian child care for dependent children from birth through age 12, with the level of assistance based on total family income. The program is administered by the National Association of Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies (NACCRRA) under contract with DoD.
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 Health and Human Services
Early Head Start provides comprehensive child development services — including health, nutrition, and social-emotional development — for low-income pregnant women, infants, and toddlers under age 3. Like Head Start, it is delivered by local grantee organizations including community action agencies, nonprofits, and school districts through both center-based and home visiting models. The program serves approximately 150,000 children and families annually and supports continuous care into Head Start at age 3.
U.S. Department of Education
Even Start Family Literacy was a federally-funded program that integrated early childhood education, adult literacy, parenting skills, and interactive parent-child learning activities for low-income families with young children. Federal funding ended in 2011, but many states and localities continue similar integrated family literacy programs using state funds, TANF, Title I, and Adult Education dollars. Families seeking these combined services today should contact their local school district, community action agency, or Head Start program for available family literacy support.
Social Security Administration / Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
Extra Help (also called the Low Income Subsidy or LIS) assists Medicare beneficiaries with limited income and resources in paying Medicare Part D prescription drug plan premiums, deductibles, and copays, potentially saving over $5,000 per year. Full Extra Help eliminates the Part D premium (up to the benchmark amount), the deductible, and the coverage gap, with copays of $0–$4.70 for generics and $0–$11.80 for brand-name drugs in 2024. Beneficiaries who receive Medicaid, SSI, or Medicare Savings Program benefits are automatically enrolled.
Department of Education
Need-based federal grant for low and moderate income undergraduate students. Does not need to be repaid. Award amount depends on financial need, cost of attendance, and enrollment status.