Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program

• The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) provides monthly benefits to help families in need. The benefits are used to purchase food at authorized retailers, such as supermarkets. The amount of benefits a family receives is based on household size and income. The income guidelines are based on the Federal Poverty Level. The amount of income a family is allowed to earn is based on the family size. For example, a family of four can only gross up to $2,389 a month to receive benefits as of 2011.
  
  

Temporary Assistance for Needy Families

• Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) provides financial support to families on a monthly basis. Benefits are only available to families with minor children. The program requires children ages 5 to 18 to be enrolled in school full-time while receiving benefits. Parents who receive TANF are required to work. If the parent is not employed, the parent is required to actively seek work or attend job training. Parents who are enrolled in college may also receive assistance. The amount of benefits received is based on a family's net income.
  
  

Medicaid

• The Medicaid program provides health care coverage to minor children, disabled and elderly persons. Parents who receive TANF may also qualify for Medicaid. Coverage is also available to pregnant women. The program helps to cover dental visits, health checkups and prescription drugs. Medicaid also covers hospital stays, mental health and corrective lenses. Eligibility for the program is based on income and citizenship. A family's net income is compared to the Federal Poverty Level to determine eligibility.
  
  

Housing Choice Vouchers

• The United States Department of Housing and Urban Development provides housing assistance to low-income or extremely low-income families. The assistance is available in the form of a housing choice voucher. The voucher may be used to rent an apartment or house at a government-operated or privately owned residence. The vouchers program is administered in each state by the public housing authority. In most states, there is a waiting list to receive a voucher. A family's income may not exceed 50 percent of the median income in the county in which the family resides.