Find benefits for what you need
Start with the need that matters most today. Each guide explains what to check, what to prepare and where to continue with the official agency. Reading is free, with no sign-up. This catalog covers the programs we explain; it is not every available program and does not decide eligibility.
I need food
Buy groceries for my household
SNAP. Food benefits. Check who buys and prepares food with you and the rules in your state.
Food during pregnancy and early childhood
WIC. Support for each applicant: pregnancy, postpartum, breastfeeding, infants or children under five.
Breakfast and lunch at school
School meals. Ask the school about an income application, direct certification or meals free to all students.
I need health coverage
Find the right coverage route
Medicaid. Age, pregnancy, disability and state can change the route. One income table does not decide your case.
Coverage for a child
CHIP. Review the child’s route even when an adult in the family does not qualify.
Compare other health insurance options
ACA Marketplace. Check coverage, possible savings and the enrollment period separately.
I need income support
Check a tax credit for working
EITC. Prepare the tax year and details needed to continue to the official IRS tools.
Check a tax credit for children
Child Tax Credit. Separate the qualifying-child rules from the amount that may be refundable.
Cash assistance for a family
TANF. The state agency determines the amount, conditions and time limits for the case.
I need help with housing or bills
Pay the rent
Section 8 housing vouchers. Check the housing agency’s waiting lists and the process for finding an approved home.
Pay heating or cooling bills
LIHEAP. Find the local contact and mention any shutoff notice; assistance and funding vary.
Lower phone or internet costs
Lifeline. Review an income or program route, the one household discount and your state’s process.
I need support with care, age or disability
Leave with a next step
- Why this may help. You have chosen a specific need; the program guide can help you prepare the application.
- What still needs checking. Your state’s conditions and those of each applicant, plus any notice or deadline.
- What I prepare. Write down the program, the unanswered question and the agency link. Keep personal documents for the official application.
- Where I continue. Open a guide above. If you live in Washington, use the Washington guide by need.
When you need more than one benefit
You can review several programs. Receiving one benefit may document a condition for another, but it does not replace the application or remaining checks. Compare SNAP and Medicaid and prepare both applications.
- WIC: SNAP, Medicaid or TANF can establish the income part; category, residency and nutrition still need review.
- Lifeline: SNAP or Medicaid are accepted routes; the household, existing discount and provider enrollment still need review.
- Tax credits: A credit that has not been calculated or received is not money available to pay a bill today.
Source: USDA ERS: WIC.
Source: USAC: Lifeline.
Catalog and priority routes reviewed September 8, 2026. Each guide identifies its sources and periods.
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.
Helping someone else?
Read a guide together, share a public link or leave one clear next step. Resources for helping a relative, neighbor or community member.
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.