Government assistance programs — housing, food, healthcare, and more. 87 programs available.
Showing 35 programs
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.
U.S. Department of Energy
The Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) reduces energy costs for low-income households by increasing the energy efficiency of their homes, while ensuring their health and safety. Funded through the DOE, WAP provides services to approximately 35,000 homes per year. Services include insulation, air sealing, HVAC system upgrades, and health and safety improvements.
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 the Treasury
ERAP provides financial assistance to low-income renters experiencing hardship due to the COVID-19 pandemic to prevent eviction and housing instability. Funds cover up to 18 months of past-due and prospective rent, utilities, and other qualifying housing costs. Eligible households must earn at or below 80% of area median income and demonstrate COVID-related financial hardship.
U.S. Department of Energy / State Energy Offices
Free or low-cost home energy audits for low-income households are delivered through the Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP), LIHEAP Energy Crisis funding, and state and utility energy efficiency programs. A home energy audit identifies air leaks, insulation deficiencies, inefficient appliances, and heating and cooling problems — providing a prioritized list of improvements that can be addressed through weatherization and retrofit programs. Audit results are used to qualify homes for free energy efficiency upgrades under WAP and other assistance programs.
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.
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
HUD's Good Neighbor Next Door program offers law enforcement officers, firefighters, emergency medical technicians, and pre-K through 12th-grade teachers a 50% discount on the list price of eligible HUD-owned single-family homes located in designated revitalization areas. Buyers must commit to living in the purchased home as their sole residence for at least 36 months. Properties are listed weekly on the HUD Homestore website and must be purchased through a registered HUD-approved real estate agent.
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
HOPWA provides housing assistance and supportive services for people living with HIV/AIDS and their families who are at risk of homelessness or residing in substandard housing. Funded services include short-term rent and utility assistance, transitional housing, permanent supportive housing, and case management. Grants are awarded to states, cities, and nonprofit organizations that deliver services directly to clients across the country.
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
The Green and Resilient Retrofit Program (GRRP) provides grants and loans to owners of HUD-assisted multifamily housing to make energy efficiency improvements and climate resilience upgrades that benefit residents in affordable apartment communities. Funded improvements may include HVAC upgrades, insulation, roofing, solar installations, and infrastructure hardening against extreme weather events. Low-income residents in participating HUD-assisted buildings benefit directly through reduced utility costs and improved living conditions without bearing the upfront investment cost.
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
HUD's Housing Counseling Program funds a national network of approved nonprofit agencies to provide free or low-cost counseling on buying a home, renting, avoiding foreclosure, resolving homelessness, and improving financial literacy. Counselors help individuals understand their rights, navigate housing options, and develop sustainable household budgets. Services are available in multiple languages and are open to people of all income levels.
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
HUD's Public Housing program provides safe, decent, and affordable rental housing for low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities through local Public Housing Agencies (PHAs) that manage approximately one million housing units nationwide. Rent is typically capped at 30% of the household's adjusted gross income, making it the most affordable option for very low-income households. Applications are submitted directly to the local PHA, and waiting lists are common due to high demand.
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
The Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program is the federal government's major program for assisting very low-income families, the elderly, and the disabled to afford decent, safe, and sanitary housing in the private market. Participants find their own housing and use the voucher to pay for all or part of the rent. The program is administered by local public housing agencies (PHAs).
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development / U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
HUD-VASH combines HUD Housing Choice Voucher rental assistance with ongoing VA case management and clinical services to help homeless veterans achieve stable, permanent housing. Veterans use the voucher to lease private-market housing while VA social workers provide mental health treatment, substance abuse counseling, and employment support. It is the nation's largest permanent supportive housing program for veterans and has helped house over 100,000 veterans since its inception.