6 Ways to Get Free Money from the Government
iStock.com/cnythzl
4. Apply for College Grants
As student loans are at an all-time high, you’ll likely want your children to get some of their tuitions subsidized. Pell Grants can help. Students who are eligible can receive up to $5,920 for the 2017/18 award year, which finishes on June 30, 2018.
The amount of the Pell Grant depends on whether they’ll be a full-time or part-time student, where they are attending, and their financial needs. Students can apply for this grant at Federal Student Aid.
5. Get Tax Credits for Health Insurance
While the Affordable Care Act remains intact, you can get tax credits that will help to pay your health insurance. If you buy your healthcare coverage through the government’s health insurance marketplace, Healthcare.gov, you can get credit to help pay your premiums. This credit can be sent straight to your insurance provider which will lower your monthly payments, or it can be paid out as a tax credit once you file your tax return.
6. Seek Help with Utility Bills
If you need help to pay your utility bills the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), can help you. This program helps lower-income households pay for the costs of heating and cooling their homes. The size of the grant you are likely to receive differs by which state you live in, with your income also acting as a factor.
Additionally, you can get help to play your phone plan using the Lifeline Program. This service offers discounted landline and cellphone services to those who meet the requirements.
Watch Out for Scams
However, when you access these avenues, beware of any scams that might try to take money from you. Use only government official websites (those that end in .gov) when you are researching programs, and never give out your personal details via email or social media. If you’re unsure if a scheme is legit or not, use the Better Business Bureau scam tracker to see if anything similar has been reported. If someone attempts to scam you, you can file a complaint with the FTC’s consumer complaint database by calling 1-877-FTC-HELP.
