Programs for Families - FAQs:

The www.Benefits.gov Web site offers eligibility and contact information about all Federal programs that provide benefits or services. A list of all Health and Human Services programs is available on the site, as is a list Child Care/Child Support programs.

Most HHS assistance programs are available at the local and state levels. For more information see:

• State Informational Links: http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ofa/states/tanf-info.htm
   
• State Human Services Administrators: http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ofa/states/hs_dir2.htm
   
• Child Care Program State Contacts: http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/occ/ccdf/ccdf_state_territory_grantees.htm
   
• Child Care Program Tribal Contacts:
  
  Alphabetical by Tribe: http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/occ/ccdf/ccdf_tribal_grantees.htm
  
  Listed by State: http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/occ/ccdf/ccdf_tribal_grantees_by_state.htm
   
• Head Start Program Locator: http://eclkc.ohs.acf.hhs.gov/hslc/HeadStartOffices

If you can't afford to pay your home energy bill, your home may not be safe, and you may be at risk of serious illness or injury. The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is a Federally-funded program to help eligible low income homeowners and renters meet their home heating and/or cooling needs.

The LIHEAP program in your community determines if your household's income qualifies for the program. The LIHEAP program may also require households to meet additional eligibility criteria to receive LIHEAP assistance. (NOTE: The availability of LIHEAP assistance is not guaranteed. Often most of the Federal LIHEAP funds are spent during the winter.)

For more information and where to apply, you can call the National Energy Assistance Referral (NEAR) project. NEAR is a free service providing information on where your can apply for LIHEAP. You can speak to someone at NEAR Monday through Friday, from 7 a.m.- 5 p.m. (Mountain Time).

You can:

• Call the toll-free phone number at: 1-866-674-6327,
• send an e-mail to: energy@ncat.org, or
• you can contact your State's LIHEAP office

The Benefits.gov Web site offers eligibility and contact information about all Federal programs that provide benefits or services. A list of all Health and Human Services programs is available on the site, as is a list Child Care/Child Support programs.

HHS administers many programs to promote the economic and social well-being of families, children, individuals, and communities. Among these programs are:

Adoption and Foster Care: http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/cb/fri/index.htm#adoption (ACF)

Child Abuse and Neglect: http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/cb/fri/index.htm#can (ACF)

Child Care: http://nccic.acf.hhs.gov/ (ACF)

Child Development: http://www.nichd.nih.gov/ (NIH)

Child Support Enforcement: http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/cse/ (ACF)
Federal Parent Locator Service: http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/cse/newhire/index.htm (ACF)

Elders and Families: http://www.aoa.gov/AoARoot/Elders_Families/index.aspx (AoA)
Eldercare Locator:  http://www.eldercare.gov/Eldercare.NET/Public/Index.aspx (AoA)
Senior Citizens' Resources: http://www.usa.gov/Topics/Seniors.shtml (USA.gov)

Head Start Locator: http://eclkc.ohs.acf.hhs.gov/hslc/HeadStartOffices (ACF)

Find a Health Center: http://findahealthcenter.hrsa.gov/ (HRSA)
Find Health Care Insurance: http://finder.healthcare.gov
Health Information (Medline Plus): http://medlineplus.gov/ (NIH)
Maternal and Child Health Publications: http://ask.hrsa.gov/results_materials.cfm?type=featured&searchterm=3&kwrdID=799 (HRSA)
Healthy Youth: http://www.cdc.gov/HealthyYouth/healthtopics/index.htm (CDC)

Home Energy Assistance Program: http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ocs/liheap/ (ACF)

Job Opportunities for Low-Income Individuals: http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ocs/dcdp/joli/index.html (ACF)

Mental Health Services Locator: http://mentalhealth.samhsa.gov/databases/ (SAMHSA)

Parenting Resources: http://www.usa.gov/Topics/Parents.shtml (USA.gov)

Have a Healthy Pregnancy: http://www.healthfinder.gov/prevention/viewtopic.aspx?topicid=48

Substance Abuse Facility Locator: http://dasis3.samhsa.gov/ (SAMHSA)

Youth Programs:

• Runaway and Homeless Youth Training and Technical Assistance Center (RHYTTAC) (Univerisity of Oklahoma)
• National Clearinghouse on Families and Youth (NCFY)
• National Runaway Switchboard  (Call 1-800-Runaway)

To apply for food stamp benefits, or for information about the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), contact your local SNAP office. You can find local offices and each State's application on the USDA national map. Local offices are also listed in the State or local government pages of the telephone book. The office should be listed under "Food Stamps," "Social Services," "Human Services," "Public Assistance," or a similar title. You can also call your State's SNAP hotline number. Most are toll-free numbers.

Each State has its own application form. If your State’s form is not on the web yet, you'll need to contact your local SNAP office to request one. Please don't call USDA or HHS headquarters as only your State accepts applications and determines eligibility.

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is administered by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA), Food and Nutrition Service program.

The State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) expands health coverage to uninsured children whose families earn too much for Medicaid but too little to afford private coverage. For more information, visit www.insurekidsnow.gov or call toll free 1-877-KIDS-NOW (1-877-543-7669). This Web site and toll free number also provides information on Medicaid.

Community health centers provide health care regardless of your ability to pay and even if you have no health insurance. Find the community health center closest to you. Phone the community health center for more information or to make an appointment.