GOVERNMENT ASSISTANCE FOR LOW INCOME INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES


This page is intended for low income and homeless individuals who would like to know what type of aid is available from the United States Government.
This page has not been updated since December, 1999. I am aware many links are broken. I will fix it as soon as I can.

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE


"The Department of Agriculture works to improve and maintain farm income and to develop and expand markets abroad for agricultural products. The Department helps to curb and to cure poverty, hunger, and malnutrition. It works to enhance to environment and to maintain production capacity by helping landowners protect the soil, water, forests, and other natural resources. Rural development, credit and conservation programs are key resources for carrying out national growth policies. Department resarch findings directly or indirectly benefit all Americans. The Department, through inspection and grading services, safeguards and ensures standards of quality in the daily food supply." (United States Government Manual, 1998/99.. Washington: Government Printing Office, 1998., pg.110)

"Food and Nutrition Services reduces hunger and food insecurity in partnership with cooperating organizations by providing children and needy families access to food, a healthful diet and nutrition education in a manner that supports American agriculture and inspires public confidence." Some of the programs available through Food and Nutrition Services are:
The Rural Housing Service helps rural residents by providing loans and grants for housing.

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION


"The Department of Education estabishes policy for, administers, and coordinates most Federal assistance to education. Its mission is to ensure equal access to education and to promote educational excellence throughout the Nation." (United States Government Manual, 1998/99... Washington: Government Printing Office, 1998., pg.245)


DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY


"The Department of Energy, in partnership with its customers, is entrusted to contribute to the welfare of the Nation by providing the technical information and the scientific and educational foundation for the technology, policy, and institutional leadership necessary to achieve efficiency in energy use, diversity in energy sources, a more productive and competitive economy, improved environmental quality, and a secure national defense." (United States Government Manual, 1998/99.. Washington: Government Printing Office, 1998., pg.254.)

The OFFICE OF ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND RENEWABLE ENERGY is responsible for programs that improve energy efficiency and promote the use of renewable energy sources, such as "solar, biomass, wind, geothermal, alcohol fuels" and others. Part of this task is "weatherization of housing owned by the poor and disadvantaged." This is done by providing funding to State sources.


DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES


The Department of Health and Human Services is the United States government's principal agency for protecting the health of all Americans and providing essential human services, especially for those who are least able to help themselves.

ADMINISTRATION FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES,

"The Administration for Children and Families is responsible for federal programs which promote the economic and social well-being of families, children, individuals, and communities." Some of these programs are:
OFFICE OF COMMUNITY SERVICES, ADMINISTRATION FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES

The mission of the Office of Community Services is to work in partnership with states, communities, and other agencies to provide a range of human and economic development services and activities which ameliorate the causes and characteristics of poverty and otherwise assist persons in need.



BUREAU OF PRIMARY HEALTH CARE

The Bureau of Primary Health Care assures that underserved and vulnerable people get the health care they need.


CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION

The mission of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is To promote health and quality of life by preventing and controlling disease, injury, and disability. The Center for Disease Control's programs are done through state agencies. Some programs in the State of Ohio are: These are State-funded:


HEALTH CARE FINANCING ADMINISTRATION

The Health Care Financing Administration runs the Medicare and Medicaid programs. It also helps millions of Americans and small companies get and keep health insurance coverage and helps eliminate discrimination based on health status for people buying health insurance. Some of the programs for low-income individuals are:

DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT

"The Department of Housing and Urban Development is the principal Federal agency responsible for programs concered with the Nation's housing needs, fair housing opportunities, and improvement and development in the Nation's communities" (United States Government Manual, 1998/99.. Washington: Government Printing Office, 1998. pg.301)
The HUD Office of Lead Hazard Control provides assistance through state programs.


Some Housing-related programs available through the Ohio Department of Development are:

DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

The Department of Labor works to promote the welfare of wage earners in the United States. This involves protecting workers' wages, health and safety, employment and pension rights; promoting equal employment opportunity; administering job training, unemployment insurance and workers' compensation programs; strengthening free collective bargaining and collecting, analyzing and publishing labor and economic statistics.
TheEmployment and Training Administration page for individuals contains:

SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION

The Small Business Administration provides financial, technical and management assistance to help Americans start, run, and grow their businesses. Some specific aid available to businesses owned by economically disadvantaged people are:

Further information is available in the Catalog of federal domestic assistance.
The information on this website was collected by SaraJean Petite
as part of the requirements of the class LSCI 60611: Government Information
School of Library and Information Science, Kent State University.
Spring, 1999 1