There are many different ways to get free money from the government if you know where to look. From grants and scholarships to loan forgiveness programs and more, there are plenty of opportunities out there for those who are willing to do a little bit of research.
So whether you’re looking to pay off student loans or just want a little extra cash, be sure to check out these 17 simple ways to get free money from the government.
1. Grants and Scholarships
Grants and scholarships are probably the most common way to get free money from the government. There are all sorts of different grants and scholarships available, so be sure to do your research and see which ones are a good fit for you. Some great resources for finding grants and scholarships include:
2. Loan Forgiveness Programs
There are several government loan forgiveness programs available to assist you in getting out of debt faster.
Programs like Public Service Loan Forgiveness and Teacher Loan Forgiveness can help you erase a significant portion of your student loans if you work in certain fields. So if you’re struggling to make your loan payments, be sure to check out these programs and see if you qualify.
Public Service Loan Forgiveness
Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) is a government program that can help you erase a significant portion of your student loans if you work in certain fields.
To qualify for PSLF, you must make 120 qualifying monthly payments (10 years’ worth), and work for a qualifying public service organization. Qualifying organizations include government agencies, nonprofit organizations, and more.
Teacher Loan Forgiveness
If you’re a teacher, you may be eligible for Teacher Loan Forgiveness. To qualify, you must teach full-time for five consecutive years at a low-income school or educational service agency.
You must also have made 120 qualifying monthly payments (10 years worth) on your student loans. If you qualify, you can have up to $17,500 of your student loans forgiven.
3. Tax Breaks and Incentives
There are many different tax breaks and incentives available from the government, which can help you save money on your taxes.
Some popular tax breaks include the Child Tax Credit, the Earned Income Tax Credit, and the Student Loan Interest Deduction. So if you’re looking to save a little money on your taxes, check out these tax breaks and see if you qualify.
Child Tax Credit
The Child Tax Credit is a tax credit available for parents or guardians with dependent children under the age of 17. The credit is worth up to $2,000 per child and can help you save significant money on your taxes.
Apart from the child tax credit, parents are exempt from paying taxes with child care benefits, child support, and spouse maintenance. In Australia, government education payments for children are non-taxable. All you need to secure first is the tax file number for a child under 16.
Earned Income Tax Credit
The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) is a tax credit that’s available for low- and moderate-income taxpayers. The credit is worth up to $6,557 for taxpayers with three or more qualifying children.
To qualify, you must have earned income from working and meet the other eligibility requirements.
Student Loan Interest Deduction
If you’re paying interest on your student loans, you may be able to deduct up to $2,500 of the interest on your taxes. This can help you save a significant amount of money on your taxes.
To qualify, you must be paying interest on your student loans and meet the other eligibility requirements.
4. Low-Income Assistance Programs
There are also several different low-income assistance programs available from the government, which can help you get by if you’re struggling financially.
Some of the most popular low-income assistance programs include:
Food Stamps
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), commonly known as food stamps, is a government program that provides financial assistance for food.
To qualify, you must have a low income and meet the other eligibility requirements. A low income is considered to be at or below 130% of the federal poverty level, which is about $16,000 per year for a single person.
Medicaid
Medicaid is a government health insurance program that provides free or low-cost health coverage for low-income adults, children, pregnant women, and people with disabilities.
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) is a government program that provides financial assistance for families in need.
5. Senior Citizen Benefits
Several government-sponsored senior citizen perks may help you save money while still enjoying your golden years.
Some of the most popular senior citizen benefits include:
Social Security
Social Security is a government program that provides monthly payments to retired workers. The amount of the payment depends on how much you’ve earned over your lifetime.
To qualify, you must have worked for a minimum of 10 years and be at least 62 years old.
Medicare
Medicare is a government health insurance program that provides free or low-cost health coverage for seniors.
To qualify, you must be 65 years or older and meet the other eligibility requirements.
6. Military Benefits
Military benefits are a great way to use free money from the government to your advantage and get some added perks while serving in the military.
Some of the most popular military benefits include:
Basic Allowance for Housing
The Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) is a monthly allowance that’s paid to members of the military who are not living in government-provided housing.
To qualify, you must be a member of the military and not living in government-provided housing.
Basic Allowance for Subsistence
The Basic Allowance for Subsistence (BAS) is a monthly allowance that’s paid to members of the military to help cover the cost of food.
7. Unemployment Benefits
Unemployment benefits are a government program that provides financial assistance as well as free money to people who have been laid off.
To qualify, you must have lost your job through no fault of your own and meet the other eligibility requirements.
How to Apply for Unemployment
To apply for unemployment benefits, you’ll need to gather some information and complete an application. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Your Social Security number
- Your driver’s license or state ID
- Information about your previous employers, including their names, addresses, and phone numbers
- A copy of your most recent pay stub
Once you have all of the required information, you can complete an application online or in-person at your local unemployment office. The amount of free money you’ll receive as well as the length of time you’re eligible for benefits will depend on your income and the laws in your state.
8. Disability Benefits
Disability benefits are a government program that provides financial assistance and free money to people who are unable to work because of a disability.
To qualify, you must have a disability that prevents you from working and meet the other eligibility requirements.
How to Apply for Disability Benefits
To apply for disability benefits, you’ll need to gather some information and complete an application. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Your Social Security number
- Your driver’s license or state ID
- Information about your medical condition, including any test results, treatment records, and doctor’s notes
- A copy of your most recent pay stub
You may apply for Social Security disability benefits online or in person at your local Social Security office once you have all of the required information. The amount of free money you’ll get and the length of time you’re eligible for payments will be determined by your income and degree of disability.
9. Native American Benefits
Native American benefits are a government program that provides free money and other assistance to Native Americans.
To qualify, you must be a member of a federally recognized tribe and meet the other eligibility requirements.
How to Apply for Native American Benefits
To apply for Native American benefits, you’ll need to gather some information and complete an application. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Your Social Security number
- Your driver’s license or state ID
- Information about your tribal affiliation, including a copy of your tribe’s enrollment record
You can apply for Native American benefits online or in person at your local Indian Affairs office. The amount of free money and other advantages you’ll get will be determined by your income and degree of need.
10. Housing Assistance Programs
There are many different housing assistance programs available from the government, and each one has its own set of requirements. Some programs are aimed at helping low-income families afford a place to live, while others are designed to help people who are facing foreclosure or eviction.
One great program is the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program, which provides vouchers to low-income families that can be used to cover the cost of rent. Another program, the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit, offers tax credits to developers who build or rehabilitate affordable housing units.
For more information on these and other programs, be sure to check out the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s website.
11. Childcare Assistance Programs
There are free money programs that the government offers to help people with childcare. Some people might get free money to help pay for childcare, and others might get free money to help cover the cost of childcare. These programs can help a lot of families who need them.
To see if you qualify for free money to help with childcare, contact your local child care office or the Department of Health and Human Services.
12. Free Money for Foster Parents
If you’re a foster parent, you may be able to get free money from the government to help with your expenses.
There are many different programs available, and each one has its own set of requirements. However, most of these programs will provide free money to help with the cost of food, clothing, and other necessary items for your foster child.
Contact your local foster care office or the Department of Health and Human Services to find out whether you qualify for free money as a foster parent.
13. Free Money for Adoption
You may be eligible for government assistance if you’re thinking about adopting. There are numerous programs to select from, each with its own set of demands. However, like being a foster parent, most of these programs will give free money to assist with the expense of food, clothing, and other basic needs for your kid.
Contact your local adoption agency or the Department of Health and Human Services to inquire if you are serious about adoption.
14. Food Assistance Programs
There are many different free money programs available from the government to help people with food. Some people might get free money to help pay for food, and others might get free money to help cover the cost of food. These programs can help a lot of families who need them.
The different types of programs include the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which provides free money to help people with food; the National School Lunch Program, which provides free lunches to low-income children; and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), which provides free food to pregnant women and young children.
To see if you qualify for free money to help with food, contact your local food assistance office or the Department of Health and Human Services.
15. Job Training Programs
Another great way to get free money from the government is to participate in a job training program. These programs can provide free money to help you pay for training, education, or other job-related expenses.
There are many different job training programs available, and each one has its own set of requirements. However, most of these programs will provide free money to help with the cost of training, education, or other job-related expenses.
The Workforce Investment Act (WIA)
The Workforce Investment Act (WIA) is a government program that provides free money to help people pay for training, education, or other job-related expenses. This program is available to anyone who is looking for a job or wants to improve their skills.
The WIA offers free money for a variety of different purposes, including:
- Job training
- Education and job counseling
- Childcare
- Transportation
To see if you qualify for free money from the Workforce Investment Act, contact your local workforce investment office.
The Job Training Partnership Act (JTPA)
The Job Training Partnership Act (JTPA) is another government program that provides free money to help people pay for training, education, or other job-related expenses. This program is available to anyone who is looking for a job or wants to improve their skills.
The JTPA offers free money for a variety of different purposes, including:
- Job training
- On-the-job training
- Work experience
To see if you qualify for free money from the Job Training Partnership Act, contact your local job training office.
The Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA)
The Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) is a government program that provides free money to help people who have lost their jobs because of international trade. This program is available to anyone who has lost their job because of free trade.
The TAA offers free money for a variety of different purposes, including:
- Job training
- Education and job counseling
- Job search and relocation assistance
- Health care
To see if you qualify for free money from the Trade Adjustment Assistance program, contact your local trade adjustment assistance office.
16. Start-up Business Assistance Programs
If you’re thinking about starting your own business, there are many different free money programs available from the government to help you get started. These programs can provide free money to help you pay for start-up costs, such as marketing and advertising expenses, legal fees, and more.
There are many different free money programs available, and each one has its own set of requirements. However, most of these programs will provide free money to help with start-up costs.
The Small Business Administration (SBA)
The Small Business Administration (SBA) is a government agency that provides free money to help small businesses get started. The SBA offers free money for a variety of different purposes, including:
- Start-up costs
- Business loans
- Business planning
To see if you qualify for free money from the Small Business Administration, contact your local SBA office.
The Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA)
The Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) is a government agency that provides free money to help minority-owned businesses get started. The MBDA offers free money for a variety of different purposes, including:
- Start-up costs
- Business loans
- Business counseling
To see if you qualify for free money from the Minority Business Development Agency, contact your local MBDA office.
17. Retirement Benefits
Government retirement benefits are an important source of income for many retirees. There are a variety of different retirement benefits available from the government, many of which we’ve already covered in this article. A couple more popular ones include:
Railroad Retirement Benefits
Railroad Retirement Benefits are a type of government retirement benefit that is available to anyone who has worked in the railroad industry. These benefits are designed to help retired railroad workers live comfortably in retirement.
There are many Railroad Retirement Benefits to choose from, including:
- Pension
- Health care
- Survivor benefits
Civil Service Retirement Benefits
If you’re looking for a government retirement benefit, you may want to consider the Civil Service Retirement Benefits. These benefits are available to anyone who has worked for the government, and they offer a variety of different options, including:
- Pension
- Health care
- Survivor benefits
To see if you qualify for Civil Service Retirement Benefits or any other retirement benefits, contact your local Retirement office.
Key Takeaway
There are many different free money programs available from the government, so be sure to do your research to see if you qualify for any of them. With a little bit of effort, you could get free money for education, job training, start-up costs, and more.
So don’t wait. Start exploring today and see what free money programs the government has to offer!