The COVID-19 pandemic caused the government to respond quickly to requests for assistance from people who had never needed it before. This list contains descriptions of major government assistance programs available to individuals and businesses. Links to where and how to apply are provided, as well as application deadlines.
Table of Contents
Financial Support for Families and Individuals
If you meet the eligibility requirements owing to low salaries, these programmes offer benefits in the form of money, products, or services to assist with essential living expenditures.
Benefits from COVID-19 and Unemployment Insurance
When you lose your work due to no fault of your own, the joint federal and state programme known as unemployment insurance (UI) will reimburse a portion of your salary. Benefits from unemployment insurance are calculated as a proportion of annual wages and can last up to 26 weeks. Remember that federal taxes are also due on UI benefits. You can seek an extension if necessary, but it’s not guaranteed. Each state administers the programme independently, with its own qualifying standards and filing deadlines.
Through three unique programs, the federal government helped the unemployed throughout the pandemic:
Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC): This emergency scheme increased a person’s UI payments. After using up their standard UI benefits, eligible people got unemployment compensation for a total of 53 weeks.
Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA): Under the PUA, part-time employees, independent contractors, freelancers, and self-employed individuals are now eligible for unemployment compensation. Self-employed employees sometimes aren’t eligible for unemployment insurance; therefore, PUA helps to give them financial support if the COVID-19 pandemic affects them in 2020 or 2021.
Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC): This unique emergency type of unemployment insurance (UI) was available to anyone who lost their jobs as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The usual unemployment benefits paid to eligible individuals after March 14, 2021, were supplemented with $300 in government benefits each week.
On September 5, 2021, these three programmes will be legally finished. As long as they are still looking for work and haven’t received their first 26 weeks of unemployment benefits, eligible people may still be able to file unemployment benefits.
Program for Lost Wages Assistance (LWA)
A federal-state unemployment benefit known as the Lost Wages Assistance (LWA) Program was established on August 1, 2020. It offered eligible claimants $300 to $400 per week in compensation. The Federal government’s Disaster Relief Fund (DRF) allocated $300 to each claimant, while states were expected to contribute the remaining $100.
LWA was created to provide compensation through December 27, 2020, in response to the FPUC program’s termination on July 31, 2020.
Unemployment Insurance Advantages
- partial pay while you look for work or get rehired.
- It’s time to look for better or new job opportunities.
- Possibility to pursue training or education in a different career route.
Unemployment Insurance Drawbacks
- less money than when you worked (usually).
- only 26 weeks of regular benefits.
- No healthcare coverage given by the employer.
- Benefits from unemployment are taxable.
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
Another federally financed, state-run benefits programme, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), commonly referred to as welfare, aims to assist families in achieving independence after experiencing temporary hardship. Assistance with childcare, housing, home energy, and job training is available to qualified recipients. TANF applicants are required to participate in a specific type of labour activity that is specified by their state.
Each state manages its own TANF programme and establishes qualifying requirements. To apply for benefits, you can do so at your neighbourhood county social services department or by calling your state TANF office for local contact details. You are still eligible for other government assistance if you receive TANF.
Benefits of TANF
- provides families with the help they need.
- seeks out specific assistance for children.
- can increase income if you currently have a job and offers job training to promote independence.
TANF’s drawbacks
- The required revenue is frequently too low.
- can lead to social stigmatisation.
- Uneven coverage as a result of various state regulations.
- may put off job searching.
Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
A government income programme called Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is run but not funded by Social Security. SSI is intended to help aged, blind, and/or disabled Americans who have little or no income with their basic requirements. SSI entails a monthly payment to assist with housing, clothing, and food expenses and can help you become eligible for Medicaid insurance and food stamps.
In order to qualify for SSI, you must often be 65 or older, blind, or disabled. You must, among other things:
- have a limited budget
- possess few resources
- Be a “qualified alien” or a U.S. citizen.
The webpage for the SSI application process provides instructions on how to do so and has a sizable section titled How Someone Can Help You With Your SSI.
SSI’s benefits
- The federal government determines benefits, not your state.
- on SSI, one can be eligible for Medicaid and food assistance.
- No prior work experience necessary.
- may be eligible for concurrent Social Security benefits.
SSI drawbacks
- Living arrangements adversely affect eligibility.
- necessary supporting paperwork to qualify.
- Frequently lengthy claims and appeals procedures.
- guidelines for significant asset restrictions.
Benefits from Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)
People who are likely to die from a medical condition that prevents them from working for at least a year will get Social Security Disability Insurance benefits.
To qualify, you must:
- have a job or occupation that qualifies for Social Security.
- meet the requirements for disability under Social Security.
- possess a sufficient current and prior work history to qualify for disability benefits.
Benefits of SSDI
- Higher monthly income.
- record of Social Security earnings is frozen.
- the potential for tax-free income.
- provides rehabilitation and employment incentives.
Con’s of SSDI
- Long processing and approval times for SSDI claims.
- low earnings.
- Depending on the anticipated progress or recovery of the medical condition, eligibility will be evaluated after six months to seven years.
- can result in the loss of SSI or Medicaid benefits.
In terms of eligibility, the chart below compares TANF to both SSDI and SSI.
| Program | Low Income | Family | 65 or Older, Blind, or Disabled | U.S. Citizen/Eligible Noncitizen | Work Requirement |
| TANF | Yes | Yes | None | Single adult/couple with no children: No. Families with children: Yes | Yes |
| SSDI | No | No | Disabled | Yes | Yes |
| SSI | Yes | No | Any | Yes | No |
Source: Social Security Administration
Healthcare
Primary government healthcare programmes cover the elderly, children, veterans, low-income persons, persons in poor physical condition, and persons who have recently lost their jobs.
Health Insurance Exchange under the ACA
The Affordable Care Act (ACA), an initiative of the Obama administration to offer Americans without health insurance access to affordable coverage, gave rise to the Health Insurance Marketplace, which may be found on Healthcare.gov. Through the Marketplace, anyone without health insurance can get protection. Subsidies that cut the cost of insurance are available to those whose incomes are below a specified threshold.
As part of President Biden’s reaction to the coronavirus epidemic, there was a special enrollment period from February 15, 2021, to May 15, 2021, during which anybody could receive coverage through the Marketplace. Normally, the Marketplace has an annual registration period to obtain or adjust coverage. Additionally, they might be qualified for a special tax credit that would reduce the cost of the plan.
CHIP and Medicaid
Although they have some similarities, Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) have slightly different standards. Medicaid is a programme for people and families with low incomes. Children under the age of 19 with dependent parents who make too much money to be eligible for Medicaid but not enough to afford private health insurance are eligible for CHIP.
Both programmes are state-run and partially supported by the federal government. While each state has its own laws, they are all subject to federal regulations. Through the ACA Health Insurance Marketplace or your state Medicaid agency, you can submit an application for Medicaid and CHIP.
Benefits of Public Healthcare Programs
- Health improvements
- Prevent vulnerable populations from going bankrupt from medical expenses
- Saved money will help the economy.
- Human rights concern
Cons of Public Health Programs
- a rise in the national debt
- abuse potential
- lowers competition
- a long wait for services
Retirement
The two main government retirement programmes are the Federal Employee Retirement System (FERS) for specific government employees who are not covered by Social Security and Social Security for the majority of Americans 65 and over who qualify based on their work history.
Public Assistance.
Most people are aware of Social Security and that you must apply for benefits at a specific age based on your birth year and whether you wish to receive full or partial payments. If you meet all four criteria listed below, you may submit an application for benefits on your own or as a spouse:
- You must be a minimum of 61 years and 9 months old.
- On the basis of your employment history, you are not currently receiving Social Security.
- There is no benefit application on file for you.
- Benefits should begin no later than four months from now.
If you are less than three months away from turning 65, you can also apply for Medicare at the same time you do so for Social Security.
Small Business Financial Assistance
Many long-running government loan aid programmes for small businesses, the majority of which come from the Small Business Administration, benefit small firms (SBA). These programmes offer historical support, and many now additionally provide unique coronavirus-related assistance.
Advantages of Public Business Programs
- decreased interest rates
- favourable terms for repayment
- Using less collateral
- No or little down payment
Negative aspects of government business programs
- The loan sum could be little.
- lengthy approval procedure
- Frequently demanded are personal assurances.
Retirement System for Federal Employees (FERS)
A Basic Benefit Plan, Social Security, and the Thrift Savings Plan are the three programmes that offer benefits to civilian government employees under the FERS, which took over from the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) in 1987. (TSP).
Your age and number of service years decide whether you are eligible for FERS payments. Depending on how close you are to retirement, the planning and application websites for the CSRS and FERS both offer comprehensive information.
In conclusion, people and businesses can take advantage of various government aid programmes. If you think you need help, take the time to find out what is available and whether you are eligible. Many of these programs will be able to reduce people’s financial difficulties, especially in the wake of the Covid pandemic’s negative effects.
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