With a significant part of the population feeling the strain of the world crisis, the US government has extended all the help they can afford. By expanding the operations of existing benefit schemes, the government is lending a much-needed hand to every citizen that requires some form of assistance.
Through the Gov Benefits app, the public can ask for assistance through just a few clicks, for free, no matter where they are.
For the benefits, there are plenty of options to apply for. With the third-party Gov Benefits application, it is easier to apply from home. Let’s discuss it below.
- About the Gov Benefits App
- How to Download the Gov Benefits App
- Available Benefits
- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Food Stamps
- Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC)
- Housing Assistance
About the Gov Benefits App
Government benefit schemes are financial subsidiaries that are granted to many states as a way to aid those who are considered less fortunate. These benefits are specifically kept aside for low-income families and persons. In 2021, the poverty level of a family of four had to be around $26,500 in order to be eligible.
These benefits come in a variety of different programs, some extending a cash allowance to individuals and families who qualify, while others are food supplement programs, otherwise known as food stamps, that can be used to buy essential products from retailers.
Most subsidiaries are managed individually in each state, according to the budget planning and governing of each state. In higher populated cities like New York, the city governing body is placed in charge of managing benefit programs.
Who Qualifies
Previously, these benefit programs were intent on reducing the financial strain on families and individuals who fall under the lower-income class. But in regards to the growing crisis, the government is now extending the reach of these programs to aid families and persons directly influenced by this natural disaster.
As with any benefits program, those who apply for any assistance are required to produce the necessary proof of being negatively affected by the global crisis. Applicants are also required to be of American nationality or a legal citizen of the United States of America.
Using the app, you can easily search for all available benefits, and quickly check if you qualify. The online benefits website will also be of assistance, but due to the ongoing mandate of social distancing in every state, the offices will be closed. Any and all in-person appointments have been canceled, and all applicants are required to use telecom means of reaching benefit officials.
How to Download the Gov Benefits App
The Gov Benefits app is a third-party mobile software program that can be downloaded through the Google Play Store. It is not endorsed, affiliated, authorized, or licensed by the Federal Government of the United States.
It is only supported by Android devices with versions 4.1 or higher and requires 3.8 meg of free space. Simply click to download the app, and installation will automatically commence.
Features of the Application
Through the Gov Benefits app, you can find many resources to receive assistance from the US Government. These resources include a very important tool known as the ‘benefit finder’. Simply answer the questions provided in the SSA Best Questionnaire which will determine if you are eligible for any benefits.
You can also apply for unemployment benefits through the app in the event of losing your job. Each section that you choose in the application has a complete guideline over what you need to do if you wish to apply for assistance.
Not only that but each benefit option is explained briefly in the sections so that one does not get confused and apply for a benefit option that does not help them in any way.
Available Benefits
There are plenty of benefit programs that you can apply for. There are six prominent US welfare programs: Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), Medicaid, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Programs (SNAP), Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), and housing assistance.
Due to many employees experiencing a lapse of employment during the social distancing mandate, the government benefits program has established supplementary aid for those in need. The Unemployment Insurance program is a subsidiary that was established to aid persons who face unemployment due to no fault of their own.
The Department of Labor oversees each application accordingly in each of the 50 states and requires proof of employment at a minimum wage within a specified time period of at least 12 months to qualify.
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
All the benefits that the US Government offers are known as welfare programs, but TANF is the program most commonly referred to as ‘welfare’.
This is a very important welfare program: it has provided income to 2.1 million Americans in 2020. These figures are inclusive of about 505,487 adults and also a little over 1.6 million children. These numbers may seem like a very high figure, but it’s still less as compared to the poverty rate in America.
In 2019, only 23% of American families with children in poverty received benefits from TANF and in 2020, the median and national monthly assistance provided to a family of three persons was about $492.
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Food Stamps
SNAP provides further aid in the form of health aid and food supplement programs. Each state has different regulations, and you will be required to use the benefit finder and filter by state.
The SNAP welfare program is more commonly known as ‘food stamps.’ This program alone has helped 39 million people in 2020 buy food daily.
An average American has been able to get $155.09 per month through SNAP, and the federal expense of this program has been $74.6 billion.
Food-based welfare programs by the US Government really help families in need by helping to provide money for nutritious food. If you and your family qualify, you receive a debit card that can be swiped at grocery stores for food.
Medicaid
This welfare program is also known as the Child’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) and is quite common in America as it has provided for the care of at least 77 million adults and children from low-income families.
Medicaid has been used by around 30% to 50% of families to help pay for the costs associated with childbirth, according to reports. In New Mexico, state-funded births reached around 71% in 2018.
After the Affordable Care Act of 2010, the Medicaid coverage was raised by 32.3%, which also allowed singles to be eligible for this welfare program and it also raised the maximum income level of a person so that more people can qualify.
Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC)
EITC acts as a tax credit to help low-income families. However, in order to be eligible, there are certain requirements.
For example, in the taxable year of 2020, if a family of four wants to benefit from EITC, their yearly income needs to be less than $53,330 to be eligible for a tax credit of $5,920.
In 2018, more than 22 million Americans made use of the EITC and the average tax credit for a family was valued at $3,191.
EITC has helped many Americans and has taken at least 5.6 million people out of poverty, 3 million of whom were children.
Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
This welfare program is for low-income families and individuals who want to receive extra cash based on certain disabilities that they suffer from.
This again has been very helpful for Americans, contributing to 6.7 million disabled or blind people receiving $583.53 per month through the help of SSI.
Housing Assistance
This type of help is usually given in the form of rental properties to families who are homeless.
Housing assistance includes 1.2 million sectors of public housing along with privately owned and subsidized housing sectors and a voucher program for low-income people that allow them to find a unit.
It is due to the help of the Housing Choice Voucher Program that families with low incomes do not have to spend more than 30% of their incomes on just rent itself alone.
The administration is done in a way that around 2.2 million families benefit from this program yearly.
Disaster Unemployment Insurance
The Disaster Unemployment Insurance program is intended to aid those who face unemployment due to natural disasters. You can also browse for other unemployment benefits on the benefit finder either through the online source or mobile app.
The IRS will automatically distribute a stimulus check to all tax-paying citizens. To qualify, you should have filed a tax return for 2019, and the program does not require any actions from those who are eligible.
The economic impact payment check will endorse individuals with $1,200 and married couples with $2,400 and $500 for every eligible child. For more information, you can visit the IRS Economic Impact page.
Summary
With offices closed due to social distancing mandates, it is much more convenient to have access to the Gov Benefits app to find out how you can receive aid during times of struggle.
Applying for benefits will be much simpler, and even after the ongoing crisis will continue to be easy.
