Learning about and accessing public benefits can give families more room in their budget to meet basic needs and focus on their financial future. Some of the most widely accessed benefits are listed below. Eligibility requirements for benefits may vary by state or locality, beyond those mentioned below:
- Medicaid provides health insurance for people with low incomes who would otherwise be uninsured.
- Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) provides nutrition assistance and education for low-income pregnant or breastfeeding women and people, infants, and children under age 5.
- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) provides nutrition assistance to individuals and families with low incomes. This assistance comes in the form of cash benefits loaded onto an electronic card that is accepted at grocery stores and farmers’ markets.
- Supplemental Security Income Program (SSI) provides cash assistance and health care coverage to people with low income and limited assets who are either age 65 or older, blind, or disabled.
- Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) provides temporary financial assistance in the form of cash benefits to families.
- The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development offers several rental assistance programs, including public housing and housing voucher programs.
- Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) assists families with energy costs by providing federally funded assistance for energy bills and home weatherization.
Public benefits can also come in the form of refundable tax credits.
Ideas for Action
1. Understand what public benefits are available.
Programs can use a benefits screening tool during the intake process to help identify the benefits a family might be eligible to receive. Providing information about available benefits and how to apply for them is a valuable service that Head Start programs can offer interested families as they navigate the benefits process.
Start the Conversation
- "You mentioned there has been an additional stress on your budget due to heating costs in the winter. Would you be interested in learning more about LIHEAP which is a public benefits program that can help pay for heating and other energy costs?”
Resources for Families
- Benefit Finder (interactive tool)
2. Apply for benefits.
Staff may offer to support families in completing an application for a benefits program, or might make a plan with the family to complete the application process on their own.
Start the Conversation
- "What needs to happen in order for you to complete the application?”
- "What kind of documentation will need to be prepared?”
Resources for Families
- Increasing Income and Benefits (worksheet)
3. Research income and asset limits to navigate potential benefits cliffs.
Eligibility for many benefits programs is based on family income. If income increases, a family may no longer be eligible for some or all of the benefits they are receiving. Staff can provide information to families about the reality of benefits cliffs. Staff and families can spend time together identifying income limits and making a plan to navigate potential cliffs.
Start the Conversation
- "I’m excited to hear about your new promotion and the additional income it will bring to your family! Would it be helpful to plan together for any changes in public benefits that might occur?”
Partner
Connect families to benefits through community partnerships.
Some families find it useful to have a partner such as a Head Start program to help access resources from local organizations. Programs can develop a network of partners that work with families interested in accessing public benefits. These partners may include public agencies administering benefits, community-based organizations, Community Action Agencies, and one-stop centers. In some cases, programs might even choose to work with local benefits offices to set up co-enrollment processes so families can enroll in Head Start programs and other public benefits programs in one place.
Learn More with These Resources
- Benefits.gov (resource collection)
- Partnering with Families to Access Food Assistance (article)
- Partnering with Families to Access Utilities Assistance During Emergencies (article)
- What Are Benefits Cliffs? (article)
Last Updated: September 7, 2023