Health Education

Accessing Your Community’s Social Services

Sometimes life’s challenges force us to seek help. Whether it’s sickness, unemployment, homelessness, or natural disasters, social service agencies can help. It is important to seek this help because these social problems can often negatively affect your health. There are government and charitable agencies at the federal, state, and local levels designed to provide medical and financial assistance. Most government agencies have local offices. Non-governmental agencies can also help. These include local food pantries, churches, and other charitable organizations in your own backyard.

Path to the improvement of well-being

These common federal assistance programs can help individuals and families who qualify as low income. Low-income criteria change from time to time, so don’t let that stop you from determining your eligibility:

  • Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (BREAK): SNAP is the largest program in the home hunger safety net. Provides nutrition assistance to millions of eligible low-income individuals and families.
  • Health insurance: Health insurance is expensive. Access to affordable health insurance is possible when you qualify for Health insurance.
  • Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF): This program links individuals and families with programs in their state or territory to receive assistance.
  • Start: Designed to promote school readiness for children under the age of 5, Start assists low-income families through education, health, social services, and others.
  • Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP): Keeping your home utilities on is important throughout the seasons. LIHEAP can help families who qualify for assistance.
  • Women, babies and children (WIC) Food and nutrition: WIC provides federal grants to states for supplemental foods, health care referrals, and nutrition education. This is designed to serve low-income pregnant, lactating, and postpartum women who are not breastfeeding. Includes infants and children up to 5 years of age who are at nutritional risk.
  • County Health Clinics: Almost all communities have Community Health Centers that provide basic and affordable health services. These centers can often provide referrals for specialty care. This includes mental health, substance abuse, and HIV/AIDS, among other things.
  • Internet: Check with your local Internet provider. Some will offer lower prices to people who meet certain income and/or disability criteria.
  • Call 211: Dial 211 on your phone for information on resources in your area that can help you pay bills, find food, and direct you to other sources of help.

Common sources of charitable donations locally:

  • Goodwill: This non-profit organization provides job assistance to people in need. As part of that, goodwill It operates retail stores throughout the country. These inexpensive recycled treasures help many families purchase clothing and household items.
  • Churches: Contact churches of all faiths in your community. Many offer assistance to families in need.
  • Food Pantries: Search the Internet for a list of food pantries in your community. These provide families in need with non-perishable food (canned, boxed). Sometimes families can also access perishable foods (meat, produce).
  • The Salvation Army, The American Red Cross: The Salvation Army and The American Red Cross they are most useful when you or your family are affected by a natural disaster. These organizations provide food, shelter, and other assistance to those in need.
  • Safety net hospitals: These medical centers and hospitals are in various communities. They provide medical care and other health-related services to patients with little or no insurance or Medicaid.
  • Library: If you can’t afford Internet service, the public library is a good source for limited use. Check your local library for more details. The library often has information on other local resources as well.

Things to Consider

There are a number of resources to help people with financial and health assistance. There are a few things to consider.

  • Be prepared to test your income level. This includes your employment history and the number of members in your family when you apply. In addition, you will have to apply to each service. There is no such thing as a “one size fits all” app. Some of these agencies conduct annual reviews of your income and situation, so you may need to fill out review paperwork each year.
  • Wait time. Social service agencies are busy processing applications for assistance. Be sure to ask how quickly you can access services once you qualify.
  • Bureaucracy/paperwork. Some people call it “red tape.” But really it’s just paperwork. The paperwork can be overwhelming at times. Sticking to it can provide relief.
  • Taxable benefits. Ask the staff if you will pay tax on the benefits you receive.
  • Social service agencies take this seriously. If you lie about your circumstances, you are committing fraud. They will eventually catch you.
  • Rules and restrictions. Each social service has rules and restrictions. For example, you may not be allowed to buy unhealthy foods (sweets) with SNAP. Not all medical care is covered by Medicaid or by community health centers. Understand what you can and cannot do with the services provided to you.

Questions to ask your doctor

  • Where can I find social services to help my family?
  • What healthy foods should I buy for my family?
  • Can I get help completing the paperwork/application?
  • Does child support count as income?

Resources
health.gov
United Way: Public Benefits and Community ResourcesUS Department of Health and Human Services: Social Services
USA.gov: Government Benefits

Copyright © American Academy of Family Physicians

This information provides a general overview and may not apply to everyone. Talk to your family doctor to find out if this information applies to you and for more information on this topic.

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