If you’ve fallen on hard times and are struggling to pay for basic necessities like healthcare, food, or shelter, then you may qualify for several different financial assistance programs through the federal and state governments. These programs provide money, stipends, cash assistance for families, and discounted services to people experiencing a bevy of financial problems.

These programs are designed to meet the needs of several types of people, from unemployed workers and seniors living on fixed incomes, to at-risk populations like children and people with disabilities. Read on to explore these programs, learn who qualifies for each one, and how to apply for the programs you need the most.

Unemployment benefits, also referred to as unemployment insurance, is a program that provides weekly payments to people who have been let go from their jobs. This money is meant to help people stay on top of bills, pay for food and other necessities, and otherwise support themselves and their families while they look for a new job. 

Unemployment insurance is temporary, and you can only collect unemployment for a certain number of weeks per year. Plus, these payments are not meant to replace your entire salary; if you qualify for the UI program, you can only get a fraction of what you earned previously.

While the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) oversees the entire country’s unemployment benefits program, every state manages its own program. State programs receive funding from the federal government through the Federal Unemployment Tax Act (FUTA) as well as the state’s own budget. 

To get unemployment insurance payments, you need to meet your state’s program requirements. For example, most states have wage and employment history requirements, such as not being a self-employed person or freelancer.

Generally, the reason for becoming separated from your job must be due to one or more of the following:

• You’ve been let go from your job for a reason that wasn’t your fault, such as a lay off or other lack of availability of work
• You quit a job due to harassment, toxic work environment, or other qualifying situation

In most cases, you cannot claim unemployment benefits if you were fired for any reason. For instance, if you showed up late to work on multiple occasions, and your boss fired you, you typically won’t qualify for the program. 

You can typically apply for unemployment benefits in your state by following these steps:

1. Go to your state’s department of labor, work, or employment website. This site should provide direct access to the unemployment insurance online application through your state’s unemployment insurance program.
2. Contact your state’s unemployment insurance program by phone or in-person. Depending on your state’s requirements for application, you may need to call or visit a local office to fill out the application and submit documentation that way.
3. File for unemployment. On your state’s unemployment benefits site, fill out the application for unemployment insurance, including information about your work history and the job you were let go from and submit additional documents that prove your employment history and previous job, like pay stubs. Then, you may be required to file an unemployment claim weekly or bi-weekly and show proof that you’re actively looking for work.
4. Receive payment. Depending on your state, you may receive unemployment through direct deposit to your bank account or as a paper check either sent in the mail or picked up at your local unemployment office.