Program Description
The Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) plays a vital role in improving the quality of day care and making it more affordable for many low-income families. The CACFP provides reimbursement for nutritious meals and snacks served to children and adults in day care facilities. Participants in the Program also receive nutrition education materials and training in planning and serving safe, nutritious meals to those in their care. Each day, 3.3 million children receive nutritious meals and snacks through CACFP. The program also provides meals and snacks to 120,000 adults who receive care in nonresidential adult day care centers. CACFP reaches even further to provide meals to children and youth residing in emergency shelters or participating in eligible afterschool care programs.General Program Requirements
Independent centers and sponsoring organizations enter into agreements with their administering State agencies to assume administrative and financial responsibility for CACFP operations. In centers and certain day care homes, participants from households with incomes at or below 130 percent of poverty are eligible for free meals. Participants in centers with household incomes between 130 percent and 185 percent of poverty are eligible for meals at a reduced price. Institutions must determine each enrolled participant's eligibility for free and reduced price meals served in centers. Participants in day care homes located in low-income areas or operated by low-income providers are automatically eligible for free meals.Children whose families receive benefits from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR), or State programs funded through Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) or who are enrolled in Head Start or Even Start are automatically eligible for free meals, without further application or eligibility determination. Foster children who are the responsibility of the State or placed by the court, and children who are experiencing homelessness are also automatically eligible for free meals. Adult participants who receive SNAP, FDPIR, Social Security Income (SSI), or Medicaid benefits are also automatically eligible for free meals.
Maximum income limits for eligibility are available at:
http://www.fns.usda.gov/cnd/Governance/notices/iegs/IEGs.htm
Your Next Steps
The following information will lead you to the next steps to apply for this benefit.Program Description
The goals of the Community Food and Nutrition Program are:1) To coordinate private and public food assistance resources to better serve the food and nutrition needs of low-income populations
2) To assist low-income communities to identify potential sponsors of child nutrition programs in under-served or unserved areas
3) To develop innovative approaches at the State and Local level to meet the nutrition needs of low-income individuals, including displaced workers, elderly people, children, and the working poor and other low-income individuals
General Program Requirements
In order to qualify for this benefit program, you must characterize your financial situation as low income or very low income .Your Next Steps
The following information will lead you to the next steps to apply for this benefit.Program Description
Health Centers offer access to comprehensive primary and preventive health care and social services to medically unserved and underserved populations. Federally funded health centers offer services to the general community, as well as specific special populations including: migrant and seasonal farmworkers, homeless, public housing residents, and school aged children. Services are provided to all residents of the service area without regard to an individual's ability to pay.General Program Requirements
All people are eligible to receive health care services at a federally funding health center. Health centers funded through the Consolidated Health Centers Program are required to provide services to all individuals regardless of ability to pay. Federally funded health centers also must provide a schedule of discounts corresponding to established charges for individuals with incomes at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines.Your Next Steps
The following information will lead you to the next steps to apply for this benefit.Program Description
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 contains COBRA premium assistance provisions that expand COBRA eligibility and provide eligible individuals with a 65 percent reduction of their COBRA premiums for up to 9 months. If eligible, these individuals pay only 35 percent of their COBRA premiums to the plan and the remaining 65 percent is paid by the employer through a payroll tax credit.Individuals denied the COBRA Premium Assistance made available under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act may seek an expedited review of that denial by the Secretary of Labor.
General Program Requirements
To be eligible for assistance, you must meet all of the following requirements:- You must be eligible for continuation coverage under COBRA or a state law that provides comparable continuation coverage (for example, so-called "mini-COBRA" laws) at any time during the period beginning September 1, 2008 and ending December 31, 2009
- You must elect continuation coverage when first offered or during the additional election period
- You must have a qualifying event for the continuation coverage that is the employee's involuntary termination during the period beginning September 1, 2008 and ending December 31, 2009.
Your Next Steps
The following information will lead you to the next steps to apply for this benefit.Program Description
Consolidation Loans are available to most borrowers of Federal education loans and come from one of two sources:- Direct Consolidation Loans are made by the U.S. Department of Education. You repay a Federal Consolidation Loan to the U.S. Department of Education.
- Federal Consolidation Loans are made through the Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL) Program. While FFEL funds come from private lenders, such as banks and credit unions, they are subsidized and supported by the U.S. Department of Education. You repay a FFEL Consolidation Loan to the private lender that made the loan or to its designated agency.
Whether you receive a Direct or FFEL Consolidation Loan depends on which program you choose. In either case the terms of the loan (loan amounts, interest rate, and other benefits) are generally the same.
General Program Requirements
Most Federal student loans are eligible for consolidation, including subsidized and unsubsidized Direct and Federal Family Education (FFEL) Stafford Loans, Direct and FFEL PLUS Loans (parent loans), Federal Perkins Loans, Federal Nursing Loans, and Health Education Assistance Loans. Private educational loans are not eligible.You can get an FFEL Consolidation Loan during your grace period, once you have entered repayment, or during periods of deferment or forbearance. Direct Consolidation Loans are also available when you are still in school. Borrowers who are in default must meet certain requirements before they may consolidate their loans.
Loan Terms
Maximum Loan Amount: noneInterest Rate: weighted average interest rate on the loans being consolidated, rounded to the nearest one-eighth of 1 percent, not to exceed 8.25 percent. Currently, the interest rate is fixed for the life of the loan. To get an estimate of your interest rate, go to the Online Calculator at https://loanconsolidation.ed.gov/loancalc....
Maximum Loan Length: 30 years
Frequency of Payments: monthly or quarterly
Prepayment penalties: none
Fees: none
Your Next Steps
The following information will lead you to the next steps to apply for this benefit.Program Description
Services are available to individuals seeking a job or developing work skills. Services include job search assistance, referral and placement assistance, reemployment services to unemployment insurance claimants, labor market information, and individual skills assessments.If you are 18 or older and authorized to work in the United States, you may also be eligible to receive counseling, help in developing an individual employment plan, training and basic education. Childcare and transportation services may be available to enable an individual to participate in these activities. The array of services available is based upon an assessment of individual needs.
General Program Requirements
In order to qualify for this benefit program, you must be unemployed or about to become unemployed.Your Next Steps
The following information will lead you to the next steps to apply for this benefit.Program Description
Federal Perkins Loans help financially needy undergraduate and graduate students meet the cost of postsecondary education. The award is made by the school based on the availability of funds. A Federal Perkins Loan carries a fixed interest rate and must be repaid beginning after a nine-month grace period following the date when the student is no longer enrolled on at least a half-time basis.Institutional financial aid administrators at participating institutions have substantial flexibility in determining the amount of Perkins loans to award to students who are enrolled or accepted for enrollment. Borrowers who undertake certain public, military, or teaching service employment are eligible to have all or part of their loans canceled.
General Program Requirements
In order to qualify for this benefit program, you must be a student pursuing a postsecondary educational degree or certificate.Loan Terms
Maximum Loan Amounts: Undergraduate - up to $5,500 a year (maximum of $27,500 as an undergraduate)Graduate - up to $8,000 a year (maximum of $60,000, including undergraduate loans)
Amount actually received depends on financial need, amount of other aid, and availability of funds at school
Interest Rate: Fixed at five percent
Maximum Loan Length: Up to 10 years to repay, depending on amount owed
Frequency of Payments: Monthly or quarterly. After you graduate, leave school, or drop below half-time enrollment, you have a nine-month grace period before you begin repayment. Those in the military might have longer.
Prepayment penalties: None
Fees: None
Your Next Steps
The following information will lead you to the next steps to apply for this benefit.Program Description
The National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS) is the U.S. Department of Education's (ED's) central database for student aid. NSLDS receives data from schools, guaranty agencies, the Direct Loan program, and other Department of ED programs. NSLDS Student Access provides a centralized, integrated view of Title IV loans and grants so that recipients of Title IV Aid can access and inquire about their Title IV loans and/or grant data.General Program Requirements
If you are a recipient of loans or grants (Title IV Aid) then your record will be viewable in the National Student Loan Data System.Your Next Steps
The following information will lead you to the next steps to apply for this benefit.Program Description
The Food Assistance Program helps ensure that eligible low-income families and individuals are able to obtain a nutritious diet. Food Assistance benefits are intended to supplement other household income and may only be used to purchase food. Other household items such as cleaning supplies, paper goods, clothes, alcohol or tobacco products may not be purchased with Food Assistance.Food Assistance recipients are able to purchase their food by using an Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card. This card may be used at any retail store authorized by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).
The amount of benefits received is based on the household size and financial circumstances.
All individuals who purchase and prepare food together are considered a family group for Food Assistance purposes and must have their eligibility determined together.
To be eligible for Food Assistance family groups must have income and assets below the program standards. After adding all the family groups gross income, the case manager will make deductions to the family groups income. These deductions may include, but are not limited to, shelter (rent, mortgage or utilities), childcare or medical expenses.
Other technical factors must be met for a family to be eligible for Food Assistance. These technical factors may include:
- Work registration, having a job or looking for work
- Cooperation with Child Support Enforcement
- Citizenship or an eligible non-citizen status with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and
- Florida residency
General Program Requirements
Most households must pass a gross income limit at 200 percent of the Federal Income Poverty Guidelines (FIPG). Households with a member disqualified for breaking Food Assistance Program rules, felony drug trafficking, running away from a felony warrant, or not participating in a work program must meet a gross income test at 130 percent of the FIPG. Households with or without a disqualified member must have net income less than 100 percent of the FIPG. Households with people who are, age 60 or older or disabled must only meet the net monthly income limit. Some household expenses may be subtracted from the total monthly income in the food assistance budget. The budget may subtract for shelter expenses, dependent care, medical, child support paid, standard deductions, and earnings. Most food assistance households may have assets such as vehicles, bank accounts, or property and still get help. Households with a disqualified member must meet an asset limit of $2,000 or $3,250 effective October 1, 2011, (if the household contains an elderly or disabled member.)Your Next Steps
The following information will lead you to the next steps to apply for this benefit.Program Description
Florida Medicaid is the state and Federal partnership that provides health coverage for selected categories of people in Florida with low incomes. Its purpose is to improve the health of people who might otherwise go without medical care for themselves and their children.General Program Requirements
In order to qualify for this benefit program, you must be a resident of the state of Florida, a U.S. national, citizen, permanent resident, or legal alien, in need of health care/insurance assistance, whose financial situation would be characterized as low income or very low income. You must also be either pregnant, a parent or relative caretaker of a dependent child(ren) under age 19, blind, have a disability or a family member in your household with a disability, or be 65 years of age or older.Your Next Steps
The following information will lead you to the next steps to apply for this benefit.Program Description
The Florida Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) provides supplemental foods, nutrition education and referrals to health care, at no cost, to low-income pregnant, breastfeeding and postpartum women, infants, and children up to age 5 who are determined to be at nutritional risk. To be fully eligible for the WIC Program, applicants must be determined by a health professional, at no cost, to be at nutritional risk (i.e., have certain medical-based or diet-based risk conditions).General Program Requirements
In order to qualify for this benefit program, you must be a resident of the state of Florida; a pregnant, breastfeeding and/or postpartum woman; an infant or child up to 5 years of age; and individually determined by a health professional to be at nutrition risk.A person who participates or has family members who participate in certain other benefit programs, such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Medicaid or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), automatically meets the income eligibility requirement.
Your Next Steps
The following information will lead you to the next steps to apply for this benefit.Program Description
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is an application used by virtually all two and four-year colleges, universities, and career schools for awarding Federal, state, and college-funded student aid.General Program Requirements
To be eligible for this benefit, you must meet all of the following requirements:- Be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen
- Have a valid Social Security Number (unless you are from the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, or the Republic of Palau)
- Register with Selective Service if you are a male and 18 to 25 years of age. Go to http://www.sss.gov/ for more information
- Have a high school diploma or a General Education Development (GED) Certificate or pass an exam approved by the U.S. Department of Education
- Be enrolled or accepted for enrollment as a regular student working toward a degree or certificate in an eligible program at a school that participates in the federal student aid programs
- Not have a drug conviction for an offense that occurred while you were receiving Federal student aid (such as grants, loans, or work-study)
- Other requirements may apply. Contact your school's financial aid office for more information
Loan Terms
Not applicableYour Next Steps
The following information will lead you to the next steps to apply for this benefit.Program Description
The purpose of the Job Opportunities for Low-Income Individuals (JOLI) program is to test and evaluate ways of creating employment and business opportunities for individuals receiving Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) assistance. The program also aids other low-income individuals through self-employment, micro-enterprise, new business ventures, expansion of existing businesses through technical and financial assistance and non-traditional employment initiatives that lead to their economic self-sufficiency.
General Program Requirements
In order to qualify for this benefit program, you, your spouse, parents or children must receive or be eligible to receive Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), or your household's annual income before taxes must be less than $10,830 if one person lives in the household; less than $14,570 if two people live in the household; less than $18,310 if three people live in the household; less than $22,050 if four people live in the household; less than $25,790 if five people live in the household; less than $29,530 if six people live in the household; less than $33,270 if seven people live in the household; and less than $37,010 if eight people live in the household. Add $3,470 for each additional person living in the household.
Please note that these numbers are for contiguous U.S. states only; visit http://aspe.hhs.gov/POVERTY/09poverty.shtml for information on Alaska and Hawaii.
Your Next Steps
The following information will lead you to the next steps to apply for this benefit.Program Description
The Medicaid Program provides medical benefits to low-income people who have no medical insurance or have inadequate medical insurance. The Federal government establishes general guidelines for the administration of Medicaid benefits. However, specific eligibility requirements to receive Medicaid benefits, as well as the type and scope of services provided, are determined by each individual state. Thus, a person who is eligible for Medicaid in one state may not qualify in another state. You must check with the Medicaid office in the state you live in to confirm your eligibility to receive benefits.Medicaid is a joint Federal/state program administered by each individual state. Each state develops its own rules related to eligibility and coverage within broad Federal guidelines.
General Program Requirements
In order to qualify for this benefit program, you must be a U.S. national, citizen or permanent resident in need of health care/insurance assistance, whose financial situation would be characterized as low income or very low income. You must also be either pregnant, have a child(ren) with a disability, or be responsible for children under 19 years of age.Your Next Steps
The following information will lead you to the next steps to apply for this benefit.Program Description
Starting January 1, 2006, new Medicare prescription drug coverage will be available to everyone with Medicare. Everyone with Medicare can get this coverage that may help lower prescription drug costs and help protect against higher costs in the future. Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage is insurance. You choose the drug plan and pay a monthly premium.There are two types of Medicare plans that provide insurance coverage for prescription drugs. There will be prescription drug coverage that is a part of Medicare Advantage Plans and other Medicare Health Plans. You would get all of your Medicare health care through these plans. There will also be Medicare prescription drug coverage that adds coverage to the Original Medicare Plan, and some Medicare Cost Plans and Medicare Private Fee-for-Service Plans. These plans will be offered by insurance companies and other private companies approved by Medicare.
Like other insurance, if you join a plan offering Medicare drug coverage there is a monthly premium. If you have limited income and resources, you may get extra help to cover prescription drugs for little or no cost. The amount of the monthly premium is not affected by your health status or how many prescriptions you need. You will also pay a share of the cost of your prescriptions. All drug plans will have to provide coverage at least as good as the standard coverage, which Medicare has set. However, some plans might also offer more coverage and additional drugs for a higher monthly premium.
If you have limited income and resources, you may be able to get help with drug plan costs.
Starting November 15, 2005, you can enroll in three ways:
- Enroll online on this web site.
- Call the plan directly.
- Call 1-800-MEDICARE and Medicare will help you enroll.
If you have other types of health or prescription coverage, for instance, from an employer or union, TRICARE , the Department of Veteran?s Affairs, a special program, or a Medigap policy, read all the materials you get from your insurer or plan provider. Talk to your benefits administrator, insurer, or plan provider before you make any changes to your current coverage.
General Program Requirements
Important points you need to know about the new Medicare prescription drug coverage:- It is available to all people with Medicare.
- Almost 1 in 3 people will qualify for extra help paying for their drug costs.
- It protects you against ever having very high drug expenses.
- It pays for brand name and generic drugs.
Your Next Steps
The following information will lead you to the next steps to apply for this benefit.Program Description
Minority Access to Research Careers (MARC) offers special research training support to 4-year colleges, universities, and health professional schools with substantial enrollments of minorities such as African Americans, Hispanic Americans, Native Americans (including Alaska Natives), and natives of the U.S. Pacific Islands. The branch's goals are to increase the number and competitiveness of underrepresented minorities engaged in biomedical research by strengthening the science curricula at minority-serving institutions and increasing the research training opportunities for students and faculty at these institutions.General Program Requirements
Program trainees must be U.S. citizens, non-citizen nationals, or permanent residents.Your Next Steps
The following information will lead you to the next steps to apply for this benefit.Program Description
The National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program (NBCCEDP) helps low-income, uninsured, and under-served women gain access to lifesaving screening programs for early detection of breast and cervical cancers. The NBCCEDP program provides clinical breast examinations, mammograms, and Pap tests for eligible women who participate in the program as well as diagnostic testing for women whose screening outcome is abnormal. The NBCCEDP is currently available in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, 4 U.S. Territories, and 13 tribes and tribal organizations.General Program Requirements
In order to qualify for this benefit program, you must be a woman aged 40 - 64 for breast cancer screening services or a woman aged 18 - 64 for cervical cancer screening services AND you must characterize your financial situation as low income (living 250% below the federal poverty level) and be uninsured or underinsured. Other qualifications may apply.Your Next Steps
The following information will lead you to the next steps to apply for this benefit.Program Description
PLUS Loans come from one of two sources:- Direct PLUS Loans are made by the U.S. Department of Education. You repay a Direct PLUS Loan to the U.S. Department of Education.
- Federal PLUS Loans are made through Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL) Program. While FFEL funds come from private lenders, such as banks and credit unions, they are subsidized and supported by the U.S. Department of Education. You repay a FFEL PLUS Loan to the private lender that made the loan or to its designated agency.
Whether you receive a Direct or FFEL PLUS Loan depends on the program in which your school participates. In either case the terms of the loan (loan amounts, interest rate, and other benefits) are generally the same.
The school applies PLUS loan funds toward your child's educational costs such as tuition, fees, and room and board. If any loan funds remain after school charges are paid, you will receive the remaining amount from the school, unless you authorized the school to release the funds to your child. Any funds you or your child receives must be used to pay the child's educational expenses.
General Program Requirements
To qualify for this program, you must:A) Be a parent of a dependent postsecondary student who is working toward a postsecondary degree or certificate; and
B) Not have an adverse credit history.
There are other requirements. For more information, read The Student Guide online at: http://studentaid.ed.gov/students/publications/student_guide/index.html
Loan Terms
Maximum Loan Amount: Your child's cost of attendance minus other financial aid. For example, if your child's cost of attendance is $6,000, and he or she receives $4,000 in other financial aid, you can borrow up to $2,000 in PLUS Loans.Interest Rate: The interest rate is variable (adjusted annually on July 1), but it does not exceed nine percent. You'll be notified any time the variable rate changes. For the current PLUS Loan interest rate, go to http://studentaid.ed.gov/PORTALSWebApp/students/english/parentloans.jsp?tab=funding.
Maximum Loan Length: up to 30 years, depending on the amount borrowed and the repayment plan chosen. There are a number of repayment plans offered through the Direct and FFEL programs. Read the Repaying Your Student Loan online at http://www.studentaid.ed.gov/students/publications/repaying_loans/index.html for more information about repayment.
Frequency of Payments: monthly or quarterly. Generally, the first payment is due within 60 days after the loan is fully disbursed. You must begin repaying both principal and interest while the student is in school.
Prepayment Penalties: none
Fees: You will pay a fee of up to four percent of the loan, deducted proportionately each time a loan disbursement is made. Because of this deduction, you'll receive slightly less than the amount you're borrowing.
Your Next Steps
The following information will lead you to the next steps to apply for this benefit.Program Description
The Scholarships for Disadvantaged Students program provides scholarships to full-time, financially needy students from disadvantaged backgrounds, who are enrolled in health professions and nursing programs.The programs makes funds available to schools of medicine, osteopathic medicine, dentistry, optometry, pharmacy, podiatric medicine, veterinary medicine, nursing, public health, chiropractic, allied health, graduate programs in behavioral and mental health practice, or programs providing training of physician assistants.
General Program Requirements
In order to qualify for this benefit program, you must be a U.S. national, citizen or permanent resident who is a current or prospective student pursuing a degree in nursing or health care. You must also characterize your financial situation as low income or very low income.Your Next Steps
The following information will lead you to the next steps to apply for this benefit.Program Description
The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Program provides supplemental foods, healthcare referrals, nutrition education, and breastfeeding promotion and support at no cost to low-income pregnant, breastfeeding, and postpartum women, and to infants and children up to age 5 who are found to be at nutritional risk.Additionally, 46 state agencies operate the WIC Farmers' Market Nutrition Program (FMNP), which provides fresh, unprepared, locally grown fruits and vegetables to WIC participants, and expands the awareness and use of farmers' markets.
General Program Requirements
Pregnant, breastfeeding and postpartum women, as well as infants, and children up to 5 years of age are eligible if they are individually determined by a health professional to be at nutritional risk and meet a state residency requirement.A person who participates or has family members who participate in certain other benefit programs, such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Medicaid or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), automatically meets the income eligibility requirement.
Your Next Steps
The following information will lead you to the next steps to apply for this benefit.Program Description
Direct Stafford Loans, from the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan (Direct Loan) Program, are low-interest loans for eligible students to help cover the cost of higher education at a four-year college or university, community college, or trade, career, or technical school. Eligible students borrow directly from the U.S. Department of Education (the Department) at participating schools.Stafford Loans are available for undergraduate and graduate students and come from Direct Stafford Loans made by the U.S. Department of Education. You will repay a Federal Direct Stafford Loan to the U.S. Department of Education.
Direct Stafford Loans include the following types of loans:
A subsidized loan is awarded on the basis of financial need, as determined by the information you submit on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). If you are eligible for a subsidized Stafford loan you will not be charged interest while you are in school on an at least half-time basis, during a grace period of up to six months after you are no longer enrolled on at least a "half-time" basis, or during certain defined deferment periods. The Federal government pays (subsidizes) the interest during these periods.
An unsubsidized loan is not awarded on the basis of need. But you still must apply using the FAFSA. For unsubsidized loans, you will be charged interest from the time the loan is disbursed until it is paid off in full. However, you can choose to defer payment of interest while you are in school and during any grace or deferment period. However, if you allow interest to accrue (accumulate) during these periods, it will be capitalized. This means that interest will be added to the principal amount of your loan, and additional interest will be based on that higher amount.
General Program Requirements
To qualify for this program, you must be enrolled in a postsecondary educational program leading to a postsecondary degree or certificate. There are other requirements. For more information, read The Student Guide online at http://studentaid.ed.gov/students/publications/student_guide/index.html.Loan Terms
Maximum Loan Amount: up to $20,500 annually (depending on your grade level, your status as a dependent or independent student, your status as an undergraduate or a graduate student, and your total cost of attendance).Interest Rate: The interest rate is variable (adjusted annually on July 1st) but does not exceed 8.25 percent. You'll be notified any time the variable rate changes. For the current Stafford Loan interest rate, go to http://studentaid.ed.gov/PORTALSWebApp/students/english/studentloans.jsp?tab=funding.
Maximum Loan Length: 30 years, depending on amount borrowed and repayment plan chosen. There are a number of repayment plans offered through the Direct programs. Read the Repaying Your Student Loan online at http://www.studentaid.ed.gov/students/publications/repaying_loans/index.html for more information about repayment.
Frequency of Payments: monthly or quarterly. After you graduate, leave school, or drop below half-time enrollment, you have a six-month grace period before you begin repayment.
Prepayment Penalties: none
Fees: You'll pay a fee of up to four percent of the loan, deducted proportionately from each loan disbursement. Because of this deduction, you'll receive slightly less than the amount you're borrowing.
Your Next Steps
The following information will lead you to the next steps to apply for this benefit.Program Description
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) provides benefits to low-income people that they can use to buy food to improve their diets. SNAP recipients spend their benefits (provided on an electronic card that is used like an ATM card) to buy eligible food in authorized retail food stores. Through nutrition education partners, SNAP helps clients learn to make healthy eating and active lifestyle choices.General Program Requirements
Anyone who meets the program eligibility requirements can get SNAP benefits. To be eligible for SNAP most households must meet certain resource and income limits. A household with an elderly or disabled household member need only meet the net income limit.A household's benefit amount is based on the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Thrifty Food Plan, which is an estimate of how much it costs to buy food to prepare nutritious, low-cost meals for a household. A household's net monthly income is multiplied by .3, and the result is subtracted from the maximum allotment for the household size to determine the household's allotment. This is because SNAP households are expected to spend 30 percent of their own income on food, so the amount of benefits received help to supplement the household's food budget. For example, if a one-person household has a net income of $500, this amount is multiplied by .3 to get $150. The $150 is then subtracted from the maximum allotment of $200 for a household size of one (based on zero income) to get a SNAP benefit amount of $50.
You can get information about SNAP eligibility requirements and how benefits are computed at:
http://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/applicant_recipients/eligibility.htm
Your Next Steps
The following information will lead you to the next steps to apply for this benefit.Program Description
The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) helps supplement the diets of low-income Americans by providing them with emergency food and nutrition assistance at no cost. Foods are provided for home consumption (e.g., a bag of groceries) or as a prepared meal (e.g, a soup kitchen).General Program Requirements
In order to qualify for foods for home consumption, you must be a resident of the state in which you apply and meet the income qualifications that are determined by the state. Some states accept participation in another program, such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), or Supplemental Security Income (SSI), for TEFAP income eligibility.Recipients of prepared meals are considered to be low-income and are not subject to a means test.
Your Next Steps
The following information will lead you to the next steps to apply for this benefit.Program Description
In general, the Federal-State Unemployment Insurance Program provides unemployment benefits to eligible workers who are unemployed through no fault of their own (as determined under state law including District of Columbia, the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico), and meet other eligibility requirements of state law.Unemployment insurance benefits provide temporary financial assistance to eligible workers who are unemployed through no fault of their own and who meet eligibility requirements established by state laws. Each state, including the District of Columbia, the Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico has unemployment insurance programs.
In the majority of states, benefit funding is based solely on a tax imposed on employers.
General Program Requirements
In order to qualify for this benefit program, you must have worked during a specified period, usually in the past 12 to 18 months, and earned a minimum amount of wages as set by each state. You must also be determined to be unemployed through no fault of your own and meet other state eligibility requirements determined under state law.To determine your eligibility for unemployment insurance (UI) benefits you should contact the state unemployment insurance agency in the state where you are located as soon as possible after becoming unemployed. In some states, you can now file a claim by telephone and the Internet.
