Food and Nutrition Programs
1. SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program)
SNAP is the largest federal food assistance program, covering groceries for low-income individuals and families. Benefits are loaded onto an EBT card each month.
Income limits (October 2025 through September 2026):
| Household Size | Gross Monthly Limit (130% FPL) | Net Monthly Limit (100% FPL) |
|---|
| 1 | $1,580 | $1,215 |
| 2 | $2,137 | $1,644 |
| 3 | $2,694 | $2,072 |
| 4 | $3,250 | $2,500 |
| 5 | $3,807 | $2,929 |
| 6 | $4,364 | $3,357 |
Elderly (age 60 and older) or disabled households only need to meet the net income test. Many states have expanded SNAP to 200% FPL through Broad-Based Categorical Eligibility.
How to apply: Visit your state's SNAP agency or apply at benefits.gov.
2. WIC (Women, Infants, and Children)
WIC provides supplemental foods, nutrition education, and healthcare referrals for pregnant women, new mothers, and children under age 5. Income limit is generally 185% of FPL.
Who qualifies:
- Pregnant women
- Postpartum women (up to one year after delivery)
- Breastfeeding women (up to child's first birthday)
- Infants and children under 5
How to apply: Contact your local WIC agency. Find it at wic.fns.usda.gov.
3. National School Lunch Program / School Breakfast Program
Children in families with income at or below 130% FPL qualify for free meals. Families between 130% and 185% FPL qualify for reduced-price meals (no more than $0.40 for lunch, $0.30 for breakfast).
How to apply: Submit a school meal application through your child's school at the start of each school year.
4. TEFAP (The Emergency Food Assistance Program)
TEFAP distributes USDA commodity foods (canned goods, protein, dairy) through food banks and pantries. Eligibility varies by state but generally targets households at or below 185% FPL.
How to access: Find a local food bank through feedingamerica.org.
Health Coverage Programs
5. Medicaid
Medicaid is free or very low-cost health insurance for eligible low-income adults, children, pregnant women, elderly adults, and people with disabilities. In the 40 states (and D.C.) that expanded Medicaid under the ACA, adults with income up to 138% FPL ($19,845 for a single person in 2026) qualify.
In the 10 states that have not expanded Medicaid, eligibility is typically limited to children, pregnant women, parents with dependent children, elderly adults, and people with disabilities, often at lower income thresholds.
How to apply: Apply through your state Medicaid agency or at healthcare.gov.
6. CHIP (Children's Health Insurance Program)
CHIP covers children in families who earn too much for Medicaid but cannot afford private insurance. Most states cover children in families with income up to 200% FPL, and several states go as high as 300% to 400% FPL.
Who qualifies:
- Children under 19
- In some states, pregnant women
How to apply: Apply through your state CHIP program or healthcare.gov.
7. ACA Marketplace Premium Tax Credits
If you buy health insurance through the ACA marketplace (healthcare.gov), you may qualify for a premium tax credit that reduces your monthly premiums. There is no income cap for the premium tax credit through 2025; people paying more than 8.5% of their income toward a benchmark plan qualify regardless of income. Cost-sharing reductions (lower deductibles, copays) are available to people with income between 100% and 250% FPL who enroll in a Silver plan.
How to apply: Enroll during Open Enrollment (November 1 through January 15) or during a Special Enrollment Period after a qualifying life event at healthcare.gov.
8. Medicare
Medicare is federal health insurance primarily for people age 65 and older, plus people under 65 with certain disabilities or End-Stage Renal Disease.
Parts:
- Part A (hospital insurance): Most people get this premium-free.
- Part B (medical insurance): Standard premium is $185 per month in 2026.
- Part C (Medicare Advantage): Private plans bundling A and B.
- Part D (prescription drug coverage): Varies by plan.
How to apply: Sign up at ssa.gov or medicare.gov starting three months before your 65th birthday.
9. Medicare Extra Help (Low-Income Subsidy for Part D)
Extra Help pays for most prescription drug costs for Medicare beneficiaries with limited income and resources. Income limit is approximately 150% FPL.
2026 resource limits: $17,220 for individuals, $34,360 for married couples.
How to apply: Apply at ssa.gov/extrahelp.
10. Medicare Savings Programs
These state-administered programs help pay Medicare Part A and B premiums, deductibles, and copays for people with limited income. There are four levels: QMB, SLMB, QI, and QDWI, each with slightly different income limits around 100% to 200% FPL.
How to apply: Contact your state Medicaid agency.
Cash Assistance Programs
11. SSI (Supplemental Security Income)
SSI provides monthly cash payments to adults and children with disabilities, and to adults age 65 or older, who have limited income and resources.
2026 benefit amounts:
- Individual: $967 per month (federal base; some states add supplemental payments)
- Couple: $1,450 per month
Resource limits: $2,000 for individuals, $3,000 for couples (these limits have not changed in decades).
How to apply: Apply at ssa.gov or call 1-800-772-1213.
12. SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance)
SSDI pays monthly benefits to people who have a qualifying disability and have worked enough to earn Social Security work credits. Average benefit in 2026 is approximately $1,690 per month; maximum is $4,152.
Key threshold: To qualify for SSDI, your earnings must be below Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) limits, which are $1,690 per month for non-blind individuals and $2,830 per month for blind individuals in 2026.
How to apply: Apply at ssa.gov/disability or at a local Social Security office.
13. TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families)
TANF provides short-term cash assistance to low-income families with children while the adult works toward employment. Benefit amounts and eligibility rules vary significantly by state. Most states impose a 60-month lifetime limit on benefits.
How to apply: Contact your state or county social services office.
14. EITC (Earned Income Tax Credit)
The EITC is a refundable tax credit for working people with low to moderate income. It can be worth up to $7,830 for families with three or more children (tax year 2024). You must file a federal tax return to claim it, even if you owe no taxes.
2024 income limits (approximate):
| Filing Status | No Children | 1 Child | 2 Children | 3+ Children |
|---|
| Single/Head of Household | $18,591 | $49,084 | $55,768 | $59,899 |
| Married Filing Jointly | $25,511 | $56,004 | $62,688 | $66,819 |
How to claim: File a federal tax return using Schedule EIC. Free filing available at irs.gov/freefile.
15. Child Tax Credit (CTC)
The CTC provides up to $2,000 per qualifying child under age 17. Up to $1,700 is refundable (the Additional Child Tax Credit) for tax year 2024. Phases out at $200,000 for single filers and $400,000 for joint filers.
How to claim: File a federal tax return (Form 1040) and complete Schedule 8812.
16. Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit
If you pay for childcare while you work or look for work, you may claim a credit for 20% to 35% of your eligible expenses, up to $3,000 for one child or $6,000 for two or more children.
How to claim: File Form 2441 with your federal tax return.
Housing Assistance
17. Section 8 / Housing Choice Voucher Program
The Housing Choice Voucher program (commonly called Section 8) pays a portion of rent for low-income families, the elderly, and people with disabilities in the private rental market. Eligibility is based on income at or below 50% of the Area Median Income (AMI), with priority given to households at or below 30% AMI.
Wait lists in many cities are years long. Apply as soon as possible.
How to apply: Contact your local Public Housing Authority (PHA). Find yours at hud.gov.
18. Public Housing
HUD-owned or managed housing units available to low-income families, elderly adults, and people with disabilities. Income limits vary but generally target households at or below 80% AMI.
How to apply: Apply through your local PHA.
19. Section 811 (Supportive Housing for Persons with Disabilities)
Section 811 provides affordable housing linked to voluntary supportive services for adults with disabilities with very low income.
How to apply: Contact your state housing finance agency.
20. HOME and CDBG Rental Assistance
Many cities and states use HOME Investment Partnerships Program and Community Development Block Grant funds to subsidize rent. Availability varies by location.
How to apply: Contact your local housing authority or community development department.
Energy and Utilities
21. LIHEAP (Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program)
LIHEAP helps low-income households pay heating and cooling bills. It can also cover emergency repairs to heating/cooling equipment. Most states set eligibility at 150% FPL or 60% of state median income, whichever is higher.
How to apply: Contact your state LIHEAP agency. Apply before the heating or cooling season starts as funds run out quickly. Find your state agency at liheap.acf.hhs.gov.
22. Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP)
WAP pays for home energy efficiency improvements (insulation, air sealing, HVAC repairs) for low-income households, reducing ongoing energy costs. Income limit is 200% FPL.
How to apply: Contact your state energy office or a local community action agency.
23. Lifeline (Phone and Internet Discount)
Lifeline reduces monthly phone or internet service by up to $9.25 per month (up to $34.25 on qualifying Tribal lands) for low-income consumers. Eligibility is based on income at or below 135% FPL, or participation in SNAP, Medicaid, SSI, Federal Public Housing Assistance, or Veterans Pension and Survivors Benefit.
How to apply: Apply at lifelinesupport.org or through a participating provider.
Education and Childcare
24. Pell Grant
Pell Grants provide federal financial aid to undergraduate students with financial need, up to $7,395 per year for the 2025-2026 award year. You do not repay a grant.
How to apply: Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at studentaid.gov.
25. Head Start and Early Head Start
Head Start provides comprehensive early childhood education, health, and family support services to low-income children from birth to age 5. Income limit is typically 100% FPL, with up to 10% of slots for families above that threshold.
How to apply: Find your local Head Start program at eclkc.ohs.acf.hhs.gov.
26. Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF)
CCDF subsidizes childcare costs for low-income working families or families in education and training. States set their own income limits, typically between 85% and 200% of state median income.
How to apply: Contact your state childcare agency.
Veterans Benefits
27. VA Health Care
Veterans who served in active military, naval, or air service and were separated under conditions other than dishonorable may be eligible for VA health care. Priority groups are based on service history, disability rating, and income.
How to apply: Apply at va.gov/health-care/apply or call 1-877-222-8387.
28. VA Disability Compensation
Monthly tax-free payments for veterans with service-connected disabilities. Compensation rates in 2026 range from $175.51 per month (10% disability rating) to $4,062.38 per month for a veteran with a 100% rating.
How to apply: File a claim at va.gov/disability or through an accredited VA claims agent.
29. Veterans Pension
The Veterans Pension program provides monthly tax-free income to wartime veterans with limited income who are permanently and totally disabled, or who are age 65 and older. Income thresholds (Maximum Annual Pension Rate) for 2026 are approximately $16,551 for a veteran without dependents.
How to apply: Apply at va.gov/pension.
Programs Often Missed
Beyond the major programs above, several smaller or less-publicized programs are worth checking:
- SNAP Employment and Training (SNAP E and T): Paid job training for SNAP participants.
- Summer EBT (SUN Bucks): Grocery benefits for school-age children during summer months, in participating states.
- Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP): Monthly food packages for low-income seniors 60 and older.
- Indian Health Service: Health care for American Indians and Alaska Natives.
- Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program: Medical care and support services for people with HIV.
- PACE (Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly): Comprehensive health and long-term care for frail elderly individuals who qualify for nursing home care.
- State Pharmacy Assistance Programs: Many states offer additional help with prescription drug costs beyond Medicare Extra Help.
- Utility company assistance programs: Most major utilities offer their own low-income discount or arrearage programs separate from LIHEAP.
How to Check All Programs at Once
Going program by program takes time, and eligibility depends on dozens of overlapping factors. The fastest approach is to run a single eligibility check that covers all major programs at once.
Our free screener at benefitsusa.org checks your household against ACA subsidies, Medicaid, SNAP, EITC, Child Tax Credit, WIC, LIHEAP, Lifeline, SSI/SSDI, school meals, and state childcare programs simultaneously. It takes about two minutes and shows you which programs you likely qualify for and estimated benefit values.
You provide your ZIP code, household size, income, and a few other details. No account required. Your information is not sold.
Frequently Asked Questions
What government benefits programs exist for low-income adults without children?
Low-income adults without children have fewer options than families with children, but several programs still apply. SNAP is available to most low-income adults, though able-bodied adults ages 18 to 54 without dependents face work requirements (20 hours per week). Medicaid is available in expansion states for adults with income up to 138% FPL. Lifeline reduces phone or internet costs. LIHEAP helps with energy bills. SSI is available if you have a qualifying disability. The EITC also provides a small credit for workers without children.
Can I receive multiple government benefits at the same time?
Yes. Most programs are designed to work together. Receiving SNAP does not disqualify you from Medicaid, WIC, or LIHEAP. In fact, receiving certain programs automatically qualifies you for others. For example, qualifying for SSI often automatically qualifies you for Medicaid and SNAP in many states.
Do undocumented immigrants qualify for government benefits?
Most federal benefit programs require lawful immigration status. Undocumented immigrants generally do not qualify for SNAP, Medicaid (except emergency services), SSI, TANF, or federal housing assistance. Some states use state funds to extend certain benefits to undocumented residents. U.S.-born children of undocumented parents are citizens and may qualify for programs based on the child's status.
How do I apply for multiple benefits programs at once?
Some states have a combined application that lets you apply for Medicaid, CHIP, SNAP, and TANF at the same time through a single online portal. Check your state's benefits portal (often accessible via benefits.gov). For federal programs administered by separate agencies (SSA, IRS, HUD), you apply separately. Using a screener first helps you know which applications are worth pursuing.
How often do income limits change?
FPL-based income limits are updated each January when HHS publishes new poverty guidelines. SNAP limits update each October to align with the federal fiscal year. Medicare benefit amounts update each January with the COLA announcement. WIC, CHIP, and other program limits follow their own update schedules. The numbers in this guide reflect 2025-2026 program year figures.
What happens if my income changes after I am approved?
You are required to report significant income changes to each program. The reporting timeline varies: SNAP recipients in most states must report when income exceeds the gross income limit or when household composition changes. Medicaid requires annual renewal and mid-year reporting in some states. ACA marketplace plans require reporting income changes within 30 days to adjust your premium tax credit. SSI requires immediate reporting of any income or resource change.
Is there a single place to apply for all government benefits?
There is no single federal application for all programs. Benefits.gov offers a benefits finder tool and links to application portals. Many states have consolidated portals for Medicaid, SNAP, CHIP, and TANF. SSI and SSDI require a separate application through the Social Security Administration. VA benefits require a separate application through va.gov. Our screener at benefitsusa.org helps you identify which programs to pursue before you start the application process.
