“American Benefits for Everyone”
New Benefits Website

We just launched our new website – AmericanBenefitsForSurvivors.com. This website will give survivors - as well as average Americans - the facts on over 1,000 additional benefits programs that don’t come from FEMA. Be sure to visit the site and spread the word….

Studies show, that even in good times, there are more than 40 million Americans who are eligible for these benefit programs, but don’t apply because they don’t know where to go. 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. Listed below are a few of these programs that you can use today.

Families Receive Cash, Child Care, Transportation, Health Care & Job Training…
… Under a program called Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), low income families with children are eligible for a full range of cash and services to help them become strong and economically self reliant. In Louisiana contact your local Social Services Office or Louisiana Department of Social Services, 755 Third St., Baton Rouge, LA 70802; 225-342-3950; www.dss.state.la.us/departments/ofs/TANF_State_Plan.html.

For the national office contact Administration for Children & Families, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 370 L’Enfant Promenade, SW, Washington, DC 20201; http://www.acf.dhhs.gov/programs/ofa/.

Income Eligibility Requirements: $9,708/yr for family of four

$657 Million Available In Uncollected Child Support…
… The government has been very successful at collecting child support money from deadbeat spouses’ tax returns and other sources, but families are not getting this money. The government is sitting on it waiting for custodial parents to call. The government likes this money because it generates over $50 million in interest and income. In Louisiana contact the Louisiana Child Support Enforcement office at the Department of Social Services http://www.dss.state.la.us/. For the national office contact Office of Child Support Enforcement, Administration for Children and Families, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Washington, DC 20447; 202-401-9383; or see www.acf.dhhs.gov/programs/cse/.

--Income Eligibility Requirements: None

$1,200/Month In Day Care Money While You Look For Work…
… The Child Care and Development Block Grant gives money to states to help families meet their child care needs. Parents may choose from a variety of child care providers, including center-based, family child care and in-home care, care provided by relatives, and even sectarian child care providers. You can even get money to start a day care center! In Louisiana, contact the Louisiana Department of Social Services www.dss.state.la.us/departments/ofs/Child_Care_Assistance_Program.html. For the National Office contact National Child Care Information Center, 243 Church Street, NW, Vienna, VA 22180; 800-616-2242; nccic.org.

--Income Eligibility Requirements: up to $37,080 for a family of four

$2,500 to Pay Your Insulation Bills…
… As many as 20-30 million people are eligible to receive storm windows, insulation, and even weather stripping that can help reduce their heating and cooling bills through the U.S. Department of Energy’s Weatherization Assistance program. Preference is given to persons over 60, those with disabilities and families with children. You must apply through your state weatherization agency. States allocate dollars to nonprofit agencies for purchasing and installing energy-related repairs, with an energy audit being the first step to determine what is necessary. The average grant is $2,500. In Louisiana apply to Louisiana Housing Finance Agency, 2415 Quail Drive, Baton Rouge, LA 70808, 225-763-8700, 888-454-2001; www.lhfa.state.la.us/programs/energy_assistance/weatherization.php.

For the national office contact Weatherization Assistance Programs Branch, EE44, U.S. Department of Energy, 1000 Independence Ave., SW, Washington, DC 20585; 800-DIAL-DOE; or see www.eere.energy.gov/weatherization/.

--Income Eligibility Requirements: up to $28,418 for a family of four

$2,800 To Pay Your Heating Bill…
… Even if you are not approved for the U.S. Department of Energy’s Weatherization Assistance Program, you might still be eligible for short-term assistance on your utility bill from the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). Funded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, LIHEAP offers heating and cooling subsidies and energy crisis intervention to assist in weather-related or fuel supply shortages and household energy-related emergencies, such as utility shut-offs. In Louisiana apply to Louisiana Housing Finance Agency, 2415 Quail Drive, Baton Rouge, LA 70808, 225-763--8700, 888-454-2001; www.lhfa.state.la.us/programs/energy_assistance/weatherization.php.

For the national office contact Office of Community Services, Division of Energy Assistance, Administration for Children and Families, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 370 L’Enfant Promenade, SW, 5th Floor West, Washington, DC 20447; 202-401-9351; toll-free 888-294-8662; www.acf.dhhs.gov/programs/liheap.

--Income Eligibility Requirements: up to $28,418 for a family of four

$27,500 In Grants And Loans To Fix Up Your Home…
… That is the amount of money you can get to repair your rural home through the Section 504 Rural Housing Repair and Loan program. These low interest long-term loans (up to $20,000) and grants (up to $7,500) help low-income homeowners in rural areas to repair, improve, or modernize their dwellings or to remove health and safety hazards. This includes repairs or replacement of heating, plumbing or electrical services, roof or basic structure as well as water and waste disposal systems, and weatherization. Grant funds are only available to homeowners aged 62 or older who cannot repay a Section 504 Loan. Find the local USDA Rural Development Administration offices in Louisiana at www.rurdev.usda.gov/la/offices.htm.

For the national office contact Single-Family Housing Processing Division, Rural Housing Service, Department of Agriculture, Washington, DC 20250; 202-720-1474;
www.rurdev.usda.gov/rhs/common/program_info.htm#SFH.

--Income Eligibility Requirements: up to 50% of median family income, $26,149 in Louisiana, $31,366 in U.S. (The Louisiana eligibility does vary from parish to parish)

$3,000 For Your Boss To Train You
Most every state has grant money to train their workers. Many big businesses take advantage of this money, but most small businesses have no idea it’s there. Workers don’t realize that they can tell their bosses or prospective employers about this program so they can get the job they want or the raise they deserve. In Louisiana contact the Louisiana State Department of Labor at 225-342-3111 or see www.laworks.net/forms/IWT/IWTP_SBET_Overview.pdf.

To contact the national office or to find your local one-stop career centers 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: None

Free Dental Care For Kids…
… Many dentists will provide free dental care, according to an American Dental Association survey that states, “75% of its members provide charitable care.” You can find free dental services offered in your state at www.prnewswire.com/mnr/ada/10357. Just click on your state. American Dental Association, 211 East Chicago Ave., Chicago, IL 60611-2678; 312-440-2500; www.ada.org.

--Income Eligibility Requirements: Determined on a case by case basis

Free Health Care When You Have No Insurance Coverage…
… Healthcare centers around the country offer everything from mental health to dental services. Contact Health Resources and Services Administration, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; www.ask.hrsa.gov/pc/. Another database is the Free Clinic Foundation of America, 1240 Third Street S.W, Roanoke, VA 24016; 540-344-8242; www.medkind.com/FCF.

--Income Eligibility Requirements: Each facility has different requirements, normally on a sliding scale.

3.5 Million Families Can Get A Check For Up To $4,300…
… That’s how many people are eligible for this but don’t apply. It’s called a tax credit, but it is really a grant. This is extra money the IRS will give you that’s better than a refund because they will give it to you even if you don’t pay any taxes. You just have to have some income, and the less income you have the bigger the check you get. You can make up to $35,458 and still be eligible. Get the free publication called IRS Publication 596, Earned Income Tax Credit by calling 1–800–829–3676 or go to www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p596.pdf. Free tax services are available for incomes up to $35,000 from a service called Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA). To find your local VITA program contact your local public library or your Congressman’s office at {www.congress.org}. You can also try the IRS hotline at 1-800-TAX-1040; or see www.irs.gov/individuals/article/0,,id=119845,00.html.

--Income Eligibility Requirement: up to $35,000 per taxpayer

Save $120 On Your Phone Bill…
… Under the Federal Communication Commission’s Link-Up American and Lifeline programs, low-income households seeking telephone service are give a 50% discount on local connection charges, and may be able to pay installment payments on the remaining charges. You may also receive discounts up to $10 per month on the phone line charges. For more information contact your local phone company or check out the Federal Communications Commission at www.fcc.gov/cgb/getconnected/.

--Income Eligibility Requirement: up to $26,123 for a family of four

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