Find your next step toward getting help
Choose a program and see what needs checking, what you can prepare and where to go for official help. Free, no account, and your answers are not sent.
What do you need help with today?
Food, health, bills, work or paperwork: start with the problem you need to solve.
Official help, one step at a time
The interactive guide needs JavaScript. If it does not appear, use the official links below without answering questions.
Choose the program you need and continue on its official website. This page does not check eligibility, calculate amounts, or collect answers.
- SNAP
Find the state office for food assistance.
- Medicaid / CHIP
Check the official health coverage application routes.
- WIC
Contact a local WIC agency about an appointment and requirements.
- EITC
Use the IRS assistant for the relevant tax year.
- Child Tax Credit / CTC
Review the IRS child and dependent credit questions.
- LIHEAP
Find the official program for energy bill assistance.
- Lifeline
Choose the application route through the program administrator.
- ACA Marketplace
Find your Marketplace; access, savings, and enrollment are separate checks.
Before you start, have your state and any relevant program notices or information ready. Share personal documents only when the official agency requests them. Ask the agency for help if a question is unclear.
Each program sets its requirements and handles applications. This guide does not confirm eligibility or calculate benefit amounts.
Explore benefits by type
SNAP (Food Stamps)
Help with groceries. Read about program rules and where to apply.
🏥Medicaid & CHIP
Explore health coverage routes by state, age and household circumstances.
🍼WIC
Food and nutrition support during pregnancy, after pregnancy and for children under 5.
💵Tax Credits (EITC & CTC)
Tax credits with separate eligibility and refund rules. Check the relevant tax year.
⚡Energy Help (LIHEAP)
Help paying heating and cooling bills.
📱Lifeline
Discount on phone or internet service.
Start with what you need
Find help by need
Start with food, bills, health coverage or another need. Each guide points to the next official step.
Find help in Washington state
Choose a local food or health route, or find energy assistance. This is a selected guide, not a complete list of programs.
Studying and need food help?
See how student SNAP rules differ from applying for education aid with FAFSA.
Using the interactive guide
- Choose a program. Answer questions for that program. If you do not know an answer, you can say so.
- Understand what remains. Review the reported condition, remaining checks and what you can prepare.
- Continue on the official site. We do not process applications or charge for this guidance.
How to use this guidance
When the interactive guide is available, use its own language control to keep your answers while switching between English and Spanish. The website language links open a new page.
Each result explains a reason, what still needs checking and an official next step. Questions change by program because the rules are different.
We are a free, independent resource. We are not a government agency and do not decide whether a benefit is granted. Who we are.
State help and your next steps
Washington and California guides explain their own application routes. The optional list saves only the next steps you choose on this device.
Find social support, one task at a time
Choose the problem you need to solve. Find what to prepare, who to contact and another route if the first option does not work.