7 Government Benefits Most People Never Apply For

LIHEAP helps pay heating and cooling bills. Eligibility is usually set at 150% of the federal poverty level, though some states are more generous. Benefits can cover a significant portion of utility bills — in cold-climate states, winter heating assistance can run $300–$800 per household.

The program also covers crisis assistance when service is at risk of being shut off, even for households that do not receive regular LIHEAP benefits. Many people who do not think of themselves as low-income qualify during years when energy prices spike.

If you have Medicare and take prescription drugs, Extra Help can reduce your out-of-pocket drug costs to nearly zero. Full Extra Help recipients pay no premiums for Part D coverage and have very low copays — $4.50 for generics, $11.20 for brand-name drugs in 2024.

Eligibility extends to individuals with income up to 150% FPL and limited assets. An estimated 2 million eligible Medicare beneficiaries do not receive Extra Help, according to the Social Security Administration.

WIC is separate from SNAP and provides a specific list of nutritious foods for pregnant women, new mothers, infants, and children under 5. Eligibility is up to 185% FPL. WIC participation rates are lower than SNAP — many families who qualify do not realize WIC is a separate program from food stamps.

WIC also provides breastfeeding support, referrals to health services, and nutrition counseling. In most states, WIC benefits are loaded onto an EBT card and used at grocery stores, similar to SNAP.

Section 8 (officially the Housing Choice Voucher Program) subsidizes rent so that households pay no more than 30% of their income. The benefit is significant — in high-rent cities, a voucher can be worth tens of thousands of dollars per year.

The challenge is that most housing authorities have closed waiting lists. But it is worth applying even if the wait is years, because your position on the list is determined by when you applied. The sooner you get on a waiting list, the sooner you reach the top.

The EITC is refundable — meaning it can give you back more money than you paid in taxes. For a family with three or more children, the 2024 maximum credit is $7,830. Even workers without children can qualify for up to $632.

The IRS estimates that roughly 1 in 5 eligible workers does not claim the EITC. Unlike most benefits, the EITC is delivered through the tax system. If you did not file taxes last year and had earned income, you may be able to claim the credit retroactively for up to three years.

The Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) provides subsidies to help low-income working families pay for childcare. Income limits vary by state but are typically set at 85% of state median income. The benefit can be enormous — full-time childcare can cost $15,000–$30,000 per year, depending on location and age.

Awareness of CCAP is lower than other programs, and many states have waiting lists. If you have children under 13 and are working, in school, or in job training, contact your state's childcare agency to check eligibility.

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and School Breakfast Program provide free or reduced-price meals for children from households at 130% FPL (free) and 185% FPL (reduced price). During summer, the Summer Food Service Program provides free meals at community sites.

Many families who qualify do not apply, often because of the paperwork or because they do not know their income falls within the threshold. Schools also receive additional funding for every student certified for free and reduced meals, which benefits the school community.