Always keep the originals and send copies. If you send the original and it is lost, you will then have to get original copies again. Also be sure to have proper personal identification documentation, such as a driver’s license or ID card, as well as your Social Security number.
Also keep records of health care expenses (hospital bills, payments for subscription medicines) as well as money spent on health insurance premiums.
Taking pictures or video is best. At the least, go through each room and list everything that has been destroyed. [1] X Research source Save receipts when you buy anything that replaces something that has been destroyed.
Contact your state Department of Human Services for information on how to apply as well as for a detailed list of eligibility requirements. Typically, you will need your monthly gross income to fall below a guideline maximum. When determining eligibility, states will also consider your expenses, as well as the number of people living and eating together. For detailed information on requirements and income thresholds, visit wikiHow’s How to Apply for Food Stamps in the US. States often have a SNAP Eligibility Calculator to use. You input information on household income and assets, as well as household expenses. As an example, Illinois’s calculator is here.
For a partial listing of food pantries by state, visit this website and click on your state. You can then call the food pantry or stop in if you have questions.
Over 500,000 people receive food from this program, which is provided at no cost. [7] X Research source Food items include cheese and dairy products, canned fruits and vegetables, canned fish and other meats, breakfast cereals, fruit juices, and rice and macaroni. [8] X Research source Qualifying criteria vary by state. You should contact your state social services or Department of Human Services for more information.
HUD also runs a voucher program through local public housing agencies called Section 8. With a Section 8 voucher, you can find your own housing and then use the voucher to partially subsidize the cost of rent. [9] X Research source You should visit this web portal and click on your state. Section 8 eligibility depends on income and family size. Generally, a family may not have an income that exceeds 50% of the median income for the county or metropolitan area where the recipient chooses to live. [10] X Research source
Cities may also offer programs. Chicago, for example, offers an emergency rental assistance program for those who are suffering financial hardship because of job loss, fire, or illness. [11] X Research source
Salvation Army. The Salvation Army offers money paid to landlords, utility bill assistance, food, clothing, emergency housing, spiritual counseling, and many other services. They are also a good “place to start” whenever a need for help arises. Their toll free contact number is 1-800-728-7825. United Way. They offer many of the same types of assistance programs that are listed above. They also have a national network of community assistance and other emergency services agencies. You can call their help number at 2-1-1. [12] X Research source Check if there is any local assistance as well. In a browser, type your town and “housing assistance. ” Or visit your county courthouse clerk’s office and look at the community board. They are a great resource for providing you information on local and statewide assistance programs of all types.
Generally, you must have an income less than 150% of the federal poverty level to be eligible. [15] X Research source Currently, those limits are $ 17,655 for an individual, and $23,895 for a family of 2. [16] X Research source To find out where to apply, type “LIHEAP” and your city into a web browser. You can also visit this webpage and click on your state.
For example, the Salvation Army operates a “Heat Share” program, which uses privately-raised funds to help low income families with assistance paying heating or cooling bills. This program is available in Kansas, Minnesota, Nebraska, Missouri, and South Dakota.
Call the number provided or visit any website listed.
To check if you qualify for Medicaid, you should contact your state’s Department of Human Services.
For information on how to register, see wikiHow’s How to Get Social Security Disability.
A person who gets TANF may also receive medical assistance and SNAP benefits. Applicants must have a monthly income below a certain threshold set by the state. In 28 states and the District of Columbia, for example, a mother of 2 children cannot make more than $795 a month. [19] X Research source There are also limitations on the amount of assets you can own. About half of all states require that an applicant have assets valued at no more than $2,000. [20] X Research source For more information about the eligibility requirements of your state, contact your local Department of Human Services office.
To be eligible, you must have a low income and few resources. The income limit is $733 a month for an individual and $1,100 a month for a couple. [23] X Research source Generally, you may qualify if you have resources under $2,000 (if an individual) or $3,000 (as a couple). [24] X Trustworthy Source Social Security Administration Independent U. S. government agency responsible for the administration and management of Social Security Go to source If your income and resources are near these limits, you should contact SSI. The agency uses complicated rules to exclude some income and assets from their calculations, so you may still qualify even if you think you are over the limit. To apply, call 1-800-772-1213 and make an appointment. You cannot apply for SSI online. [25] X Trustworthy Source US Social Security Administration Independent U. S. government agency that administers Social Security and related information Go to source
Generally speaking, the unemployment insurance program provides you with temporary financial assistance if you became unemployed through no fault of your own. [27] X Trustworthy Source CareerOneStop Online resource sponsored by the U. S. Department of Labor providing information on job training, employment opportunities, and careers Go to source For example, if you were fired because you violated your employer’s attendance policy by coming into work an hour late three days in a row, you would not be eligible for unemployment benefits. The federal government provides minimum guidelines for unemployment insurance benefits. However, each state may set additional eligibility requirements and amounts of benefits available, as well as how long you may continue to receive benefits and what you must do to remain eligible. [28] X Trustworthy Source CareerOneStop Online resource sponsored by the U. S. Department of Labor providing information on job training, employment opportunities, and careers Go to source
Find out if you must apply in person or if you can apply online, through the mail, or over the phone. You also should find out the specific requirements for eligibility in your state and what documents you will need to prove your eligibility. [29] X Trustworthy Source CareerOneStop Online resource sponsored by the U. S. Department of Labor providing information on job training, employment opportunities, and careers Go to source
You must have proof of where you worked and how much money you made, as well as the reason you lost your job. Generally you must be able to prove that you lost your job through no fault of your own. Your employer typically will provide you a form indicating that you are eligible for unemployment benefits. [30] X Trustworthy Source CareerOneStop Online resource sponsored by the U. S. Department of Labor providing information on job training, employment opportunities, and careers Go to source You will be asked for certain information, such as the dates you were employed and the address and phone number of your former employer. If you don’t know this information off the top of your head, you should find it out and write it down before you start filling out your application. [31] X Trustworthy Source CareerOneStop Online resource sponsored by the U. S. Department of Labor providing information on job training, employment opportunities, and careers Go to source
Answer all questions on the application as completely and accurately as possible. The information on your application will be used to determine how much money you will receive, and for how long. [32] X Trustworthy Source CareerOneStop Online resource sponsored by the U. S. Department of Labor providing information on job training, employment opportunities, and careers Go to source
