Along with the major federal programs and credits like EITC, SNAP, CHIPs, and LIHEAP there are also many benefits geared to supporting individuals and families with specific needs such as seniors, veterans, people with disabilities or those who qualify as very low-wage earners. Some of these benefits include:
Medicare is the federal government program that provides health care coverage (health insurance) to any senior who is 65 or older or under 65 and have a disability, regardless of income.
The Medicare Rights Center Website The Medicare Rights Center is a national, nonprofit consumer service organization that works to ensure access to affordable health care for older adults and people. Their website includes offers easy to understand answers to questions about Medicare and even provides the Medicare Interactive tool, which provides screening or the program: http://www.medicarerights.org/about-mrc/
SSI is available for seniors who or disabled or living on very-limited financial resources as well as “seriously” disabled children under 18. To apply online or learn more about this program, employees can visit: http://www.socialsecurity.gov
TANF is a federally-funded financial support program that supplies families with no or very low-incomes with temporary cash subsidies. In general, most employed persons will not meet the eligibility criteria for TANF, but some part-time lower-wage earners may be able to receive limited, short-term assistance. To find out more information on TANF direct employees to the official website for the Office of Family Assistance: http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ofa/tanf/about.html
There are numerous benefits aimed at supporting veterans – from medical assistance to educational funds and help paying for a home. To find out more about these programs, the best place to start is to have employees who have served in the military visit the official US Department of Veterans Affairs site: http://www.vba.va.gov/VBA/benefits/factsheets/index.asp#BM1
The Family Strengthening Policy Center was developed with support from the Annie E. Casey Foundation.