State-by-State Guide to U.S. Government Assistance and Benefit Programs
By Heather Reichert • Updated Nov 4, 2026 • Reviewed by editorial
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Financial help in the U.S. is split across federal, state, and local agencies. Seniors, families, single parents, and homeowners may qualify for food, cash, utilities, child care, health coverage, housing, and tax relief, though rules vary by state.
To start, use the USA.gov benefits finder to identify eligible programs. You can also dial 211 in most areas for emergency rent, utility, and food assistance.
National Programs Available in Every State
Review these major nationwide programs before checking state-specific options. Income limits, benefit amounts, and application processes are managed locally.
| Assistance type | Who it may help | What it provides | Official link |
|---|---|---|---|
| SNAP food assistance | Low-income households, seniors, families and people with disabilities | Monthly grocery benefits through an EBT card | SNAP |
| SNAP state offices | Anyone applying for food benefits | State-specific applications, eligibility rules and local offices | SNAP state directory |
| WIC | Pregnant, postpartum and breastfeeding people; infants and children up to age 5 | Nutrition support, healthy food, education and referrals | WIC |
| TANF cash assistance | Needy families with children | Temporary cash help for basic needs, child care and home energy | TANF |
| LIHEAP | Low-income households | Help with heating and cooling bills, shutoff prevention and some repairs | LIHEAP |
| Weatherization | Income-qualified homeowners and renters | Insulation, air sealing and energy-efficiency repairs | Weatherization Assistance Program |
| Medicaid and CHIP | Low-income adults, children, pregnant people, seniors and people with disabilities | Health coverage; CHIP covers eligible children | Medicaid |
| Housing Choice Vouchers | Low-income renters, seniors, families and people with disabilities | Rental assistance through local public housing agencies | HUD rental assistance |
| Earned Income Tax Credit | Low- and moderate-income workers | A federal tax credit that may reduce tax owed or increase a refund | EITC |
| Child Tax Credit | Families with qualifying children | A federal tax credit that may reduce tax owed | Child Tax Credit |
| Supplemental Security Income | Seniors and people with disabilities with limited income and resources | Monthly payments for basic needs | SSI |
| Free tax filing | Eligible taxpayers | Free federal tax preparation and filing | IRS Free File |
Assistance by Household Situation
| Household situation | Programs worth checking |
|---|---|
| Seniors | SNAP, SSI, Medicaid, Medicare Savings Programs, LIHEAP, weatherization, property-tax relief, senior nutrition programs |
| Families with children | SNAP, WIC, TANF, Medicaid, CHIP, child-care assistance, school meals, EITC and Child Tax Credit |
| Single parents | TANF, SNAP, WIC, child-care subsidies, Medicaid/CHIP, housing assistance, EITC and Child Tax Credit |
| Homeowners | LIHEAP, weatherization, property-tax relief, foreclosure-prevention counseling, home-repair and energy programs |
| Renters | SNAP, LIHEAP, housing vouchers, emergency rental assistance and eviction-prevention programs |
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development offers foreclosure guidance through its counseling program. For property-tax relief, contact your county assessor or state revenue department.
State-by-State Assistance Portals
Use the portal below to apply directly for SNAP, Medicaid, TANF, child care, and energy help in your state.
| State | Official place to start | Assistance to check |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Alabama Department of Human Resources | SNAP, TANF, child care, child support |
| Alaska | Alaska Connect | SNAP, TANF, Medicaid, Senior Benefits, Heating Assistance |
| Arizona | Health-e-Arizona Plus | Nutrition Assistance, Medicaid, cash assistance |
| Arkansas | Arkansas Department of Human Services | SNAP, TANF, Medicaid, child care |
| California | BenefitsCal | CalFresh, CalWORKs, Medi-Cal, child care |
| Colorado | Colorado PEAK | SNAP, Colorado Works, Medicaid, child care |
| Connecticut | ConneCT | SNAP, TANF, Medicaid, energy assistance |
| Delaware | Delaware Health and Social Services | SNAP, TANF, Medicaid, child care |
| District of Columbia | D.C. Department of Human Services | SNAP, TANF, Medicaid, rental assistance |
| Florida | ACCESS Florida | SNAP, TANF, Medicaid, child care |
| Georgia | Georgia Gateway | SNAP, TANF, Medicaid, WIC, child care |
| Hawaii | Hawaii Department of Human Services | SNAP, TANF, Medicaid, child care |
| Idaho | Idaho Department of Health and Welfare | SNAP, TANF, Medicaid, child care |
| Illinois | Illinois ABE | SNAP, TANF, Medicaid, child care |
| Indiana | Indiana Family and Social Services Administration | SNAP, TANF, Medicaid, child care |
| Iowa | Iowa Health and Human Services | SNAP, FIP, Medicaid, child care |
| Kansas | Kansas DCF Self-Service Portal | SNAP, TANF, Medicaid, child care |
| Kentucky | Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services | SNAP, TANF, Medicaid, child care |
| Louisiana | Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services | SNAP, TANF, Medicaid, child care |
| Maine | Maine Department of Health and Human Services | SNAP, TANF, Medicaid, property-tax relief |
| Maryland | Maryland Department of Human Services | SNAP, TANF, Medicaid, child care |
| Massachusetts | Massachusetts DTA Connect | SNAP, TAFDC, MassHealth, child care |
| Michigan | Michigan Department of Health and Human Services | SNAP, FIP, Medicaid, child care |
| Minnesota | Minnesota Department of Human Services | SNAP, MFIP, Medicaid, child care |
| Mississippi | Mississippi Department of Human Services | SNAP, TANF, Medicaid, child care |
| Missouri | Missouri Department of Social Services | SNAP, TANF, Medicaid, child care |
| Montana | Montana Apply | SNAP, TANF, Medicaid, child care |
| Nebraska | Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services | SNAP, TANF, Medicaid, child care |
| Nevada | Nevada Division of Welfare and Supportive Services | SNAP, TANF, Medicaid, child care |
| New Hampshire | New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services | SNAP, TANF, Medicaid, child care |
| New Jersey | New Jersey Department of Human Services | SNAP, TANF, Medicaid, child care |
| New Mexico | New Mexico Human Services Department | SNAP, TANF, Medicaid, child care |
| New York | myBenefits New York | SNAP, TANF, Medicaid, child care |
| North Carolina | North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services | SNAP, TANF, Medicaid, child care |
| North Dakota | North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services | SNAP, TANF, Medicaid, child care |
| Ohio | Ohio Department of Job and Family Services | SNAP, Ohio Works First, Medicaid, child care |
| Oklahoma | Oklahoma Human Services | SNAP, TANF, Medicaid, child care |
| Oregon | Oregon Department of Human Services | SNAP, TANF, Medicaid, child care |
| Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania COMPASS | SNAP, TANF, Medicaid, child care |
| Rhode Island | Rhode Island HealthyRhode | SNAP, RI Works, Medicaid, child care |
| South Carolina | South Carolina Department of Social Services | SNAP, TANF, Medicaid, child care |
| South Dakota | South Dakota Department of Social Services | SNAP, TANF, Medicaid, child care |
| Tennessee | Tennessee Department of Human Services | SNAP, TANF, Medicaid, child care |
| Texas | YourTexasBenefits | SNAP, TANF, Medicaid, child care |
| Utah | Utah Department of Health and Human Services | SNAP, TANF, Medicaid, child care |
| Vermont | Vermont Department for Children and Families | SNAP, TANF, Medicaid, child care |
| Virginia | Virginia Department of Social Services | SNAP, TANF, Medicaid, child care |
| Washington | Washington Department of Social and Health Services | SNAP, TANF, Medicaid, child care |
| West Virginia | West Virginia Department of Human Services | SNAP, TANF, Medicaid, child care |
| Wisconsin | Wisconsin Department of Health Services | SNAP, TANF, Medicaid, child care |
| Wyoming | Wyoming Department of Family Services | SNAP, TANF, Medicaid, child care |
Program names vary locally. For instance, California uses CalFresh and CalWORKs, Colorado uses Colorado Works, Minnesota uses MFIP, New York uses Temporary Assistance, Ohio uses Ohio Works First, and Rhode Island uses RI Works.
Senior-Specific Help
Older adults should explore property-tax credits, rent/utility relief, prescription aid, meal delivery, and caregiver support alongside SNAP or Medicaid.
Supplemental Security Income for eligible seniors with limited income and resources.
Medicare Savings Programs for help with Medicare costs.
BenefitsCheckUp to identify senior benefits by ZIP code.
Eldercare Locator to find local aging services, meals, transportation and caregiver support.
Help for Single Parents and Families
Apply for multiple programs simultaneously. Households might qualify for SNAP without qualifying for TANF, and children may qualify for Medicaid or CHIP even if parents do not.
TANF for temporary cash assistance and work-support services.
WIC for nutrition support during pregnancy and early childhood.
Child Care and Development Fund for subsidized child care.
School meals for free or reduced-price meals at participating schools.
Homeowner and Utility Help
Homeowners needing energy assistance should apply for LIHEAP and weatherization for billing aid, shutoff prevention, insulation, and repair support.
If you are behind on property taxes, contact your county treasurer or assessor. Many areas offer homestead exemptions, senior freezes, tax deferrals, or credits depending on local rules.
