Thanksgiving is a special time of year for families and friends to come together and express appreciation for the simple joys life has to offer. Whether large or small, we all have at least one reason to be thankful this season. It could be our health, home, family, job, or a friend. It can be easy to take for granted some of the simplest things in life.
For some, however, identifying some of these blessings can be challenging. When there are certain basic survival needs in your life, these needs often are more prominent in your day-to-day. We understand that enjoying this season is important, though, some may be facing low-income, disability, or other concerns that may be preventing them peace of mind.
Benefits.gov has over 1,000 programs that can help those who are eligible to receive assistance for food, housing, family needs, and more during this time of year when you may need it most. Some of these essential needs can be met through the following program categories on Benefits.gov, where you can find additional information and see if you and your family are eligible for assistance:
Food and Nutrition
Having enough to eat during the holiday season can be a real concern for some families. Getting the appropriate meals can make a big difference in receiving healthy nutrition and leading a daily productive life. With the following programs, you may be eligible to find food and nutrition assistance:
- The Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP): SNAP is the largest federal nutrition assistance program. SNAP provides benefits to eligible low-income individuals and families via an Electronic Benefits Transfer card.
- The Special Milk Program (SMP): SMP provides milk to children in schools and other institutions that do not participate in other Federal meal service programs.
- Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC): WIC provides supplemental foods, nutrition education, breastfeeding promotion and support, referrals, and access to health and social services, to low-income pregnant, breastfeeding, and postpartum women, and to infants and children up to age five who are found to be at nutritional risk.
To find more food assistance programs, browse the Food and Nutrition category. Read our article Food Assistance Programs that May Help You this Thanksgiving for more information on food-related benefits you may be eligible to receive.
Housing
Staying warm this winter is an essential need as the seasons change. Having the appropriate shelter to protect you and your family from harsh weather can be facilitated through some of these programs for low-income families:
- Rural Housing Loans: Direct and guaranteed loans may be used to buy, build, or improve the applicant's permanent residence. New manufactured homes may be financed when they are on a permanent site, purchased from an approved dealer or contractor, and meet certain other requirements.
- Rural Rental Assistance: Rural Rental Assistance is used to reduce the rent paid by low-income families who live in eligible Rural Rental Housing (RRH) and Farm Labor Housing (FLH) projects financed by the Rural Housing Service. To receive assistance, monthly rent payments must exceed 30 percent of a household's adjusted monthly income.
- Homeless Veterans Assistance Center: Veterans and families requiring assistance finding or keeping safe, affordable housing can access services for homeless Veterans and their families by contacting the VA Homeless Veterans Assistance Center. Services include opportunities to return to employment, safe housing, health care and mental health services.
To browse through more housing programs, explore the Housing and Public Utilities category. Read our article This Thanksgiving, Benefits.gov Wants You to Feel at Home for more information on housing programs you may be eligible to receive.
Family Resources
For family support, we encourage you to learn about these programs for childcare, adoption services, and child educational assistance:
- Child Care Resource and Referral Services: Local Child Care Resource and Referral Organizations help parents locate and choose quality childcare by providing referrals to local childcare providers, information on state licensing requirements, availability of childcare subsidies, and other information.
- Adoption Assistance: Adoption Assistance, also known as adoption subsidies, provides financial help and services for children with physical, mental and developmental disabilities and their adoptive parents.
- Family Planning Services: The Family Planning Services program assists in the establishment and operation of voluntary family planning projects which consist of the educational, comprehensive medical, and social services necessary to aid individuals to determine freely the number and spacing of their children.
To view more family-related benefits, browse the Family and Children Services category.
Additional Resources
Benefits.gov has many resources available for you and your families to learn more. We recommend taking the Benefit Finder questionnaire to find what other benefits you may be eligible for this holiday season.
