USA Discussion Group Resources Guide

Where People in Poverty Can Seek National Help in the United States

Shared by USA Discussion Group – Voices United, Ideas Shared, Communities Stronger.

🍎 Food Help

• SNAP (Food Stamps): Provides monthly funds to buy groceries. Apply through your state’s SNAP office or online at your state government website.

• WIC: Provides nutrition support for women, infants, and children under age 5. Apply at local health departments or WIC clinics.

• Food Banks & Pantries: Emergency food support. Find local pantries via FeedingAmerica.org or by calling 2-1-1.

🏥 Healthcare Assistance

• Medicaid & CHIP: Free or low-cost health coverage for low-income families, children, seniors, and disabled individuals. Apply through your state Medicaid office or Healthcare.gov.

• Community Health Centers: Offer affordable medical, dental, and mental health care. Find a center near you at FindAHealthCenter.hrsa.gov.

• Medicare Extra Help: Assists seniors with prescription drug costs. Apply through Social Security at SSA.gov/extrahelp.

🏠 Housing & Shelter

• HUD Programs: Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers and public housing for low-income families. Apply through local public housing agencies listed at HUD.gov.

• Emergency Shelters: Call 2-1-1 to connect with shelters, transitional housing, or rental assistance programs.

• USDA Rural Housing: Rental subsidies and housing loans for rural residents. More info at rd.usda.gov.

💵 Financial & Employment Help

• TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families): Monthly cash assistance for families in need. Apply through your state’s Department of Social Services.

• Unemployment Insurance: Provides temporary income if you’ve lost your job. Apply through your state’s workforce agency website.

• Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC): Federal tax credit for low- to moderate-income workers. Claim when filing taxes at IRS.gov/eitc.

• Job Corps: Free job training and education for young people ages 16–24. Apply at jobcorps.gov or call 1-800-733-JOBS.

🎓 Education & Training

• Pell Grants: Federal grants for low-income students to attend college or vocational school. Apply by completing FAFSA at studentaid.gov.

• FAFSA: Free Application for Federal Student Aid – determines eligibility for grants, loans, and work-study programs.

• GED & Adult Education: Free or low-cost adult education programs are available through local community colleges and schools.

☎️ Hotlines & Quick Contacts

• 2-1-1: Connects you with local services including food, shelter, and counseling.

• National Hunger Hotline: 1-866-3-HUNGRY (1-866-348-6479) – assistance finding local food resources.

• Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Dial 988 for immediate mental health crisis support.

Closing Notes

This guide is provided by the USA Discussion Group to help individuals and families in need access national resources. For the latest updates, visit USA.gov or call 2-1-1 to connect with local assistance programs.

By