Public Assistance Programs

Being an AmeriCorps member can be highly fulfilling but it can also make making ends meet difficult. As such, when serving as a member there are specific public assistance programs that exclude your living allowance in their calculations. Listed below are some federal programs that evaluate benefits based on income.

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) - HUD is the federal entity that stipulates that an applicant is qualified for low-income house rentals through three main criteria: income, citizenship, and a clean background check. However, the public housing authority (PHA) is the local organization that will offer assistance to residents in each individual county. (Oklahoma Section 8 Housing, 2018)

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) - SNAP provides nutrition benefits to supplement the food budget of needy families so they can purchase healthy food and move towards self-sufficiency.

Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) - WIC provides federal grants to states for supplemental foods, health care referrals, and nutrition education for low-income pregnant, breastfeeding, and non-breastfeeding postpartum women, and to infants and children up to age 5 who are found to be at nutritional risk.

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) - SSI program provides monthly payments to adults and children with a disability or blindness who have income and resources below specific financial limits. SSI payments are also made to people age 65 and older without disabilities who meet the financial qualifications.

Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) - VBA provides a variety of benefits and services to Servicemembers, Veterans, and their families.