Relief Programs FEMA Doesn’t Know About

The folks at FEMA are working hard to make sure Katrina survivors know how to apply for the $100 plus billion in new American Benefits that is likely to be passed by Congress. But it is next to impossible for any one agency to know about the hundreds of other programs, that have long existed in other agencies, that give out an additional $1 TRILLION a year and can also be used to help people in troubled times.

We are creating a FREE WEBSITE called AmericanBenefitsForSurvivors.com. This website will give survivors and others the facts on over 400 additional American Benefit programs that don’t come from FEMA. We hope to have this site ready within a few weeks so be sure to check it out and spread the word. America is a country full of opportunities for people of all incomes who want to improve their lives. Listed below are a few of these American Benefits programs you can use today...

$5,000 Worth Of Free Health Care For Kids…
… There are over 6 million families who are eligible and don’t apply for this program that provides free health care services for kids. Almost every state now has a Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIPS), which extends medical coverage to many children who may not be covered. In Louisiana, contact LACHIP at 1-877-252-2447 or go to http://www.dhh.state.la.us/offices/?ID=119. For more information on a national level call 877-KIDS-NOW; 877-543-7669 or go to www.insurekidsnow.gov. Income Eligibility Requirements: up to $38,700 for a family of four.

$8,000 To Train For A New Job…
… Those looking for work can apply for money and re-training under the Economic Dislocation and Worker Adjustment Assistance Act. The program is administered by each state, and because of that, the program differs from state to state. Workers can receive classroom, occupational skills, and/or on-the-job training to qualify for jobs in demand. Basic and remedial education, entrepreneurial training, and instruction in literacy or English-as-a-second-language may be provided. In Louisiana contact the Louisiana State Department of Labor at 225-342-3111 or go to www.ldol.state.la.us/. To contact the national office or to find your local one-stop career center in your area contact: Employment and Training Administration, U.S. Department of Labor, Room N-5426, 200 Constitution Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20210; 202-693-3580; One-Stop Career Center Locator at www.servicelocator.org/. Income Eligibility Requirements: Most have no income requirements but applicant must be looking for a job.

$10,000 For Down Payment, Closing Costs Or Rehabilitation…
… The American Dream Down Payment Initiative offers grants of up to $10,000 to first time single parent home buyers in Louisiana. Find a local U.S. HUD approved housing counseling agency in your area by calling 1-800-569-4287 or go to www.hud.gov/offices/hsg/sfh/hcc/hccprof14.cfm. For the national office contact American Dream Down Payment Initiative, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development at www.hud.gov/offices/cpd/affordablehousing/programs/home/addi/index.cfm. Income Eligibility Requirements: up to 80% of median family income, $41,839 for Louisiana, and $50,185 for the U.S.

Make $32,000 And Get Free Prescription Drugs…
… Valium, Prozac, Dilantin – these are just a few of the medications you can get for FREE directly from the drug companies themselves. That's right, drug companies don't want everybody to know this, but they will give certain people who can't afford their medications their drugs free of charge if you participate in their "indigent patient programs." Your doctor needs to sign a form stating that you cannot afford the drugs that you need. Once the forms are filled out the medications are shipped directly to your doctor's office. Contact the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America, 1100 15th St., NW, Washington, DC 20005; www.helpingpatients.org. Income Eligibility Requirements: each company has separate requirements, some have no income requirement but you must show a need.

Up To $10,400/Year For Seniors…
… If you are over 65, blind or disabled and if you have a limited income and limited resources you may be eligible for Supplemental Security Income. Studies show that only about 53% of eligible seniors apply. This means at least one million seniors are out there who can get the money but don’t know it exists. And that’s not counting the blind and disabled which could double that number. To apply for this program call 1-800-772-1213 or go to www.ssa.gov/applyfordisability. Income Eligibility Requirements: $6,300/yr for single, $9,400/yr for couple with many exceptions. See www.ssa.gov/notices/supplemental-security-income/text-eligibility-ussi.htm for more information.

Up To $10,700/Year If You Can’t Work Because Of A Disability…
… To qualify, you must have worked in a job covered by Social Security and have a medical condition covered by Social Security’s definition of a disability that can keep you out of work for at least one year. To apply 1-800-772-1213 or go to www.ssa.gov/applyfordisability/adult.htm. Income Eligibility Requirements: None, just unable to work.

$6,000/Year To Pay For Groceries…
… Government studies show that over 16 million families are eligible for this money, but are not applying. It is estimated that in cities like Galveston, Texas, nearly 50% of the people eligible to receive this money are not aware of the program and do not apply. For information on the Food Stamp program in Louisiana contact www.dss.state.la.us/departments/ofs/Food_Stamp_Program.html. For the national Food Stamp Program office contact U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service, 3101 Park Ctr., Dr., Park Office Center Bldg., Alexandria, VA 22302; 703-305-2276; or go to www.fns.usda.gov/fsp/. Income Eligibility Requirements: $24,516/year for family of four.

Extra $938 For Seniors And Disabled…
… Each year over 43% of eligible seniors and people with disabilities fail to apply for a little-known program that will give them over $938 extra in their Social Security check. That’s how much the government deducts for Medicare Part B payments. There are three programs: Qualified Medicare Beneficiaries Plan, Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiaries Plan and Qualified Individual for Medicare Savings Programs. In Louisiana contact 1-888-544-7996 or go to www.dhh.state.la.us/offices/?ID=135. For the national office contact the Medicare Hotline at 800-MEDICARE or go to www.medicare.gov. You can also request information about Medicare Savings Programs by getting the publication, “Guide to Health Insurance for People with Medicare.” Income Eligibility Requirements: up to $12,576/yr for a single and $16,872/yr for a couple.

25 Million Seniors And Doctors Are Unaware Of Free Health Services…
… A government study shows that there are a number of screening and immunizations that are recommended for seniors, but both seniors and doctors are unaware they are covered by Medicare. Nine out of ten seniors visit a doctor once a year but don’t know that Medicare will cover immunizations for Influenza, Hepatitis B, and Pneumococcal, as well as screenings for cervical cancer (pap smear), breast cancer (mammography), vaginal cancer (pelvic exam), colorectal cancer (fecal-occult blood test), colorectal cancer (flexible sigmiodoscopy or colonoscopy), osteoporosis (bone mass measurement), prostate cancer (prostate specific antigen test and/or digital rectal examination), and glaucoma.
Income Eligibility Requirements: None.

$1,800 Food Money For Women And Children…
… Uncle Sam wants women and kids to have healthy food. The Women, Infant and Children (WIC) Program’s mission is to safeguard the health of low-income women, infants, and children up to age five who are at nutritional risk by providing nutritious foods to supplement diets, information on healthy eating, and referrals to health care resources. WIC foods include iron-fortified infant formula and infant cereal, iron-fortified adult cereal, vitamin C-rich fruit and/or vegetable juice, eggs, milk, cheese, peanut butter, dried beans or peas, tuna fish and carrots.

In addition to the regular WIC program, a majority of the states have chosen to operate the WIC Farmers' Market Nutrition Program (FMNP). Established in 1992, it provides additional coupons to WIC participants that they can use to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables at participating farmers' markets. In Louisiana contact the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals, Office of Public Health www.oph.dhh.louisiana.gov/nutrition/wic/. For the national office on the WIC program see www.fns.usda.gov/fns/. Income Eligibility Requirements: $35,798/Yr for a family of four.

Up To $100 For Seniors To Buy Fresh Fruit And Vegetables…
… It’s called the Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program and provides vouchers to purchase locally grown fruits, vegetables and herbs from farmers’ markets and roadside stands. In Louisiana contact the Department of Agriculture & Forestry, 225-922-1277. For the national office contact, Supplemental Food Programs Division, Food and Nutrition Service – USDA, 3101 Park Center Dr., Alexandria, VA 22302; 703-305-2746; or see www.fns.usda.gov/wic/SeniorFMNP/SFMNPmenu.htm. Income Eligibility Requirements: up to $17,705/yr for a single and $23,736/yr for a couple.

Studies show…
… that even in good times, there are more than 40 million Americans who are eligible for benefit programs, but don’t apply because they don’t know where to look. There are thousands of benefits available to help people get better jobs, a better home, a better community, and even a better lifestyle. For most programs you don’t have to be poor, you just have to know about the programs. My new book, Free Money for Everybody shows you hundreds of sources of money to improve your life. Don’t miss out on the American Benefits you are entitled to. By helping yourself, you are helping America be a stronger, better place to live. See www.freemoneyforeverybody.com/every-benefits01/.