If you're struggling to pay for your utilities, rent, and other expenses, you may be eligible for a government program that helps with your costs. Learn more about government assistance programs. 

To help you pay for your utilities and other expenses, the government offers many programs to the public. There are federal, state, and city assistance programs available. Keep reading to find out what assistance might be available for you. 

Help Paying Home Energy Bill

If you're struggling to pay your home's heating or cooling bills, there are government programs and local social services that can offer assistance.

For example, the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) offers help to people in the form of:

• Assistance in paying heating or cooling bills
• Emergency services if there is a crisis, such as utility shutoffs
• Weatherization of your home to make it more energy-efficient and, in turn, lower your utility bills.

Eligibility requirements for LIHEAP vary depending on your location, with each individual LIHEAP office setting its own eligibility requirements. It's also important to note that qualifying for LIHEAP does not guarantee that you'll receive help. In addition, the help you receive will be dependent on how much funding is available for the year. 

Each state has different rules in regard to applying for LIHEAP assistance. To find out about help in your state, contact your local LIHEAP office.

Medicaid and CHIP (Children's Health Insurance Program)

Medicaid and CHIP are programs to help low-income families with medical bills and access to health insurance. 

To qualify for Medicaid, your income must fall below a certain threshold, and to qualify for the CHIP program, a child's family must have an income that is too high to qualify for Medicaid but too low to afford private coverage. The easiest way to apply for Medicaid and CHIP is to fill out an application with the Health Insurance Marketplace. The Health Insurance Market Place will inform you if you're eligible for Medicaid or Chip and send your application to the relevant authority. Alternatively, you can contact find a program by state. 

Welfare or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)

Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) is a state-run, federally funded benefits program. TANF can help families meet their basic needs and achieve financial independence after temporary difficulty. If you're eligible, you may qualify for help with

• Housing
• Food
• Energy costs
• Child care costs
• Job training

Each state runs its own TANF program, and some tribal groups also operate their own TANF programs. To find out if you're eligible, you must check the TANF program in your specific state to find out what benefits and services it provides. 

Get Help Paying for Telephone Service

Lifeline is a federal program run by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) that helps low-income people receive discounted cell phone service or landline. In addition, some people may also qualify for a free cell phone.    

You may be eligible for the Lifeline program if you or your family:

• Do not have an income above 135% of the federal poverty guidelines
• Already participate in a benefits program including:
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To apply for Lifeline, you must find a participating company in your area and apply through it. As part of the application, you will need to provide the company with basic information such as your name, address, date of birth, social security number, and some form of valid, unexpired identification, such as a driving license or social security card. 

It's important to note that you must recertify your Lifeline participation every year.

Help with Prescription Drug Costs

If you need help with paying for your prescription drug costs, there are various programs from government agencies and pharmaceutical companies. Each program has different eligibility requirements and offers different benefits, so be sure to search around to find the one that meets your needs.

To find programs that help with prescription drug costs, you can ask state social services agencies and local health centers what kind of assistance they offer to people with limited access to health care. They may be able to provide referrals to other local organizations that can also offer help. 

In addition, you can also ask your healthcare provider about alternative generic drugs that are more affordable or contact the pharmaceutical company that manufactures your prescription or device directly and request samples or discounts.

Find the Right Assistance Program for You

If you're in financial need and need help meeting your living expenses, there are options available. Start your search online today and find out if you're eligible for a government assistance program.